lizwil10 Posted January 22, 2018 #1 Share Posted January 22, 2018 (edited) Question for all of you Moms & Dads out there when cruising without your kids: We will be cruising on Oasis with our toddlers on "vacation" at grandma and grandpas. They do really well there, and usually have a weekend sleepover once a month or every six weeks. I would like to facetime in the mornings and before bed with the kids, but my husband thinks it may give them more anxiety to do that. What have you done in this situation? Only interested in feedback if you have actually been in this situation. Edited January 22, 2018 by lizwil10 misspelled "toddlers" :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted January 22, 2018 #2 Share Posted January 22, 2018 We (grandparents) usually leave it up to the grandkids to ask to FT. We try to deflect for awhile and then limit it to once a day if really necessary. I think twice a day is way to much. Enjoy your cruise and let the grandparents handle it. Believe it or not they did just fine raising you, didn't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew2346 Posted January 22, 2018 #3 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Congrats on your upcoming vacation! We opted to "go dark". The grandparents had the ship emergency number. Our phones went into the safe and we were off the grid. Everyone survived. My kids are now older and when they go to sleep away camp (1 week) there is a policy that parents and children have not contact (unless an emergency of course) just for the very reason you stated above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyer Posted January 22, 2018 #4 Share Posted January 22, 2018 You don't say how old your children are, but I will tell you what my daughter did when she cruised last year without her two daughters (ages 9 and 4). The girls stayed with me (Grandma) during the cruise. My daughter recorded (on my cell phone) messages for each of the girls so they were able to hear her voice anytime they wanted (their dad also recorded his messages.) She also recorded herself singing their bedtime lullabies and I played that for them each night when they went to bed. She didn't call every day but she face-timed them from one of their ports. They were happy to hear from their parents and it did not make them sad. We did feel that it would be best if she didn't call too often. The girls and I recorded a video of the girls telling their parents all about the special things we did during the vacation. We sent that so they would receive it as soon as they hit their first port. You know your children best so it's hard to give advice. I do think, though, that you should not call twice a day. It will then be special at the times that you do call. That is my opinion only of course. Enjoy your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishgal432 Posted January 22, 2018 #5 Share Posted January 22, 2018 We have done it in the past, but the kids were a little older pre teens. I found the first time, we emailed them, but they would respond to little issues-non emergency that were happening in their daily lives. It caused us concern that we were not there to help fix things. The second time no contact at all and we had a much more relaxing and peaceful vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyitsmema Posted January 22, 2018 #6 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Facetiming twice a day is just going to make it harder on the kids. I would text with grandma and see if all is going well, if no one is having issues, I would let them be. If one of the kids needs to talk to Mom and Dad, I would Facetime them once to say hi and that you will be home in a couple of days. If they already to a regular weekend away, they will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizwil10 Posted January 22, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Thanks guys for all the feedback. The main reason I want to FaceTime twice a day is because I will probably miss them :) I know they are in perfectly capable hands with grandma. Now i see where my husband is coming from. Maybe we will just check in a couple times that week, and my mom can always reach us if she needs us. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseguy1016 Posted January 22, 2018 #8 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Thanks guys for all the feedback. The main reason I want to FaceTime twice a day is because I will probably miss them :) I know they are in perfectly capable hands with grandma. Now i see where my husband is coming from. Maybe we will just check in a couple times that week, and my mom can always reach us if she needs us. Sent from my iPhone using Forums IMHO, this is the best way to handle it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted January 22, 2018 #9 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Ditto that...the kids will be having a blast with their grandparents....great bonding time for both kids and grandparents. They will contact you if you are needed! Go, and enjoy your adult time!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjkacmom Posted January 22, 2018 #10 Share Posted January 22, 2018 We left them at all ages, we didn’t contact them at all. When they were babies and toddlers, even if we were gone a week, they reacted like we were gone a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrophilic Posted January 22, 2018 #11 Share Posted January 22, 2018 My husband and I have cruised three times without our kids. The first time was in 2013 when they were 5 and 6 years old. The last time was in June of 2017. On our first two cruises, which went to Bermuda, we checked in with them once a day while we were in port. On our last Oasis Cruise, we checked in about once a day, usually via Face Time. I think it depends on individual children and their personalities, but my kids liked the contact. My son tends to be highly anxious and knowing that we were OK and that he could “see” us helped alleviate a lot of his worry and concern. We kept the calls very short and light, sharing our day, and letting them share their day with us. My mother-in-law said she used the calls to reassure my son when he talked about missing us. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamKnows Posted January 22, 2018 #12 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Question for all of you Moms & Dads out there when cruising without your kids: We will be cruising on Oasis with our toddlers on "vacation" at grandma and grandpas. They do really well there, and usually have a weekend sleepover once a month or every six weeks. I would like to facetime in the mornings and before bed with the kids, but my husband thinks it may give them more anxiety to do that. What have you done in this situation? Only interested in feedback if you have actually been in this situation. We fly out Thursday for much needed rest. Have twin boys that are 2.5 years and another son that is 5. My wife and I both have the internet package to keep in touch and to face time. I don’t think FaceTime will create issues unless it is done too much. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew2346 Posted January 22, 2018 #13 Share Posted January 22, 2018 When I read that bit about your husband not wanting you to check-in with the kids..it made me smile. : ) He wants all of your attention. Your kids won't care of remember so maybe pretend your childless for the week? That might be fun but you also might come back with a souviner. Happened to me : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamKnows Posted January 22, 2018 #14 Share Posted January 22, 2018 When I read that bit about your husband not wanting you to check-in with the kids..it made me smile. : ) He wants all of your attention. Your kids won't care of remember so maybe pretend your childless for the week? That might be fun but you also might come back with a souviner. Happened to me : ) We came back with twins after our last cruise. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambermark Posted January 22, 2018 #15 Share Posted January 22, 2018 When I read that bit about your husband not wanting you to check-in with the kids..it made me smile. : ) He wants all of your attention. Your kids won't care of remember so maybe pretend your childless for the week? That might be fun but you also might come back with a souviner. Happened to me : ) Wasnt a cruise, but first night my parents had our son overnight :rolleyes: he got a sister 9 months later. Again not a cruise but I've been on holiday without the kids and it was harder for me the first time than on them. Like other schools have said they'll be with nanny and grandad so it's a mini holiday for them too :) Txts to Nanny and calls when needed are enough, you'll all have a great time I'm sure :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare vacationlover_mn Posted January 22, 2018 #16 Share Posted January 22, 2018 On the flipside when I was a newlywed... My MIL wanted us to call her whenever we were at a port. This was 20 years ago, and they weren't on the internet. When we called, they'd tell us things that stressed us out AND we couldn't do anything about. Wish we would have never called! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted January 22, 2018 #17 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Thanks guys for all the feedback. The main reason I want to FaceTime twice a day is because I will probably miss them Bingo, I knew it. Go and have fun. We had the 5 & 3 YOA the last two weekends for a night. Funny, the first weekend not a problem. The second Friday night total melt down from the 5 yr. The 3 yr brought "big sis" around in a few minutes. Then it was time for ice cream sundaes and movie night. We let them stay up as long as they wanted (11:00 PM) and watch movies in bed. Hardest thing about your cruise will be getting the kids back into a routine after we (grandparents) spoil them for a week. To bad, not our problem!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizwil10 Posted January 23, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Thanks everyone!! ....and stop scaring me about coming back with a souvenir haha!!! I'm sure it happens often :) I appreciate the support. You all put my mind at ease. Especially grandmas & grandpas who have been on the other side and chimed in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted January 23, 2018 #19 Share Posted January 23, 2018 The better alternative, from a GP viewpoint, is take the kids and the grandparents. Just saying!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethV114 Posted January 23, 2018 #20 Share Posted January 23, 2018 We have not had the luxury of taking a vacation without DD because we simply don’t have anyone to leave her with. Grandmas are not interested! But, when DD was younger (less than a year through about 5) I traveled a few times a year for work, about a week or two at a time. As DD got older, she noticed my absences more, and I would end up having a quick chat with her and DH in the morning before work/school, then a FaceTime in the evening where I’d “read” her bedtime stories to her. I think others have given great advice, and that you should take each day as they come, and see what your kids want/need. That is what has worked best for us over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewilfords Posted January 23, 2018 #21 Share Posted January 23, 2018 We left the kids 3 years ago with Grandparents. Kids were 13, 10, 6, and 4. We called from each port (4 ports) to say hi and check in. They were fine. Kids had never stayed without us prior. Grandma lives in FL while we are in CT. It was a fun adventure for them. (and us!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokerguy90 Posted January 23, 2018 #22 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Extremely selfish... why not place them in a kennel if your going to treat them like pets... Unreal. God put us on this earth to multiply and be fruitful. I guess when you believe kids are like tacos “the fun part was making them” pack them up at grannies house. They will rather be their than in a cruise... My kids are 45 & 49 and still live at home. That’s why we have kids. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted January 23, 2018 #23 Share Posted January 23, 2018 My kids are 45 & 49 and still live at home. That’s why we have kids. I thought you were for real and then...... At that age you should be living with them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
payitforward Posted January 23, 2018 #24 Share Posted January 23, 2018 You don't say how old your children are, but I will tell you what my daughter did when she cruised last year without her two daughters (ages 9 and 4). The girls stayed with me (Grandma) during the cruise. My daughter recorded (on my cell phone) messages for each of the girls so they were able to hear her voice anytime they wanted (their dad also recorded his messages.) She also recorded herself singing their bedtime lullabies and I played that for them each night when they went to bed. She didn't call every day but she face-timed them from one of their ports. They were happy to hear from their parents and it did not make them sad. We did feel that it would be best if she didn't call too often. The girls and I recorded a video of the girls telling their parents all about the special things we did during the vacation. We sent that so they would receive it as soon as they hit their first port. You know your children best so it's hard to give advice. I do think, though, that you should not call twice a day. It will then be special at the times that you do call. That is my opinion only of course. Enjoy your cruise. What a wonderful, helpful and thoughtful response. Your grandchildren are very lucky to have you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted January 23, 2018 #25 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Look into the Marco Polo app. That way you are not tied into reaching them at a particular time Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now