Every mother knows the chaos that precedes a family vacation. The laundry piles up, errands multiply, and arrangements for pets require meticulous planning. Moms juggle emergency preparations and boredom busters to ensure the kids remain safe and sane, all while packing, cleaning, and making lists—lots of lists. By the time everyone’s bags are packed, the excitement for the trip often fizzles, especially if it’s just another family outing.
Now, imagine a getaway without the kids and spouse. That’s a rare treat, isn’t it? Even if your destination is just some unexciting town, the fact that it’s on someone else’s dime makes it feel like a mini-vacation. No kids, no partner—just you. Pure bliss!
However, preparing for these solo escapes can sometimes rival the planning of an entire family trip. Instead of worrying about packing everyone’s clothes, you focus on making things as easy as possible for your partner. A grocery run to stock the fridge, prepping freezer meals, and laying out daily outfits for the kids all become priorities. You even consider leaving off the playdates because, let’s face it, that might be too ambitious for him.
But let’s pause for a moment and flip the script. Do men feel the need to micromanage us when they’re away? Spoiler alert: they do not!
Take my husband, for example. His job requires travel, and whether he’s gone for a few days or a few weeks, his to-do list is surprisingly simple. Just pack his bag and he’s good to go. And that’s perfectly okay! He trusts me to manage our household and care for the kids while he’s away. He knows I can handle things, and while it’s tough without him, I don’t need to create a detailed itinerary to keep everything running smoothly.
Moms should shed any guilt about leaving their home in its normal state when they head out. If there’s no time for grocery shopping, he can write a list and take the kids along. Plus, he’ll probably earn some admiration for stepping up to the challenge.
Sure, you might cringe when your kids FaceTime you in outfits that seem like they just emerged from a laundry basket, but honestly, that’s part of the fun. They’ll survive a little fashion faux pas.
And let’s be real—if you come back to a house that resembles a disaster zone, that’s not cool. While I don’t expect spotless floors, I do hope for a little effort in keeping the place from looking like a frat house.
Remember, husbands are not babysitters. They are co-parents, sharing the load of raising kids and maintaining the household. When we undervalue their capabilities, it diminishes the strength of our partnership.
On my recent getaway, I made sure my husband knew the week’s schedule, but I left the rest to him. I trusted him to keep things running smoothly, and he did. He can handle kitchen clean-up and even manage meals for himself and the kids.
Partners shouldn’t feel resentful if we don’t prepare every single detail for them. They are adults, and they can manage their share of home life while we take a break. The house, the kids, the food—they’re all shared responsibilities. If you’re convinced that your partner wouldn’t manage without a detailed map, stop holding their hand. Let them figure it out. You might be surprised at how well they swim.
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In summary, it’s time to trust our partners to handle the household while we enjoy a little time away. They’re capable, and it’s good for everyone.