For the first time in like… a year or something I’m going on a holiday without the kids.
Without this little boy and my little girl Penny.
Here’s how the whole process started for me.
- The idea of a holiday is born
My friend asked me to go on a short trip with him. Said it’ll be fun, we’ll get some other friends along. A short time to get away from our daily responsibilities and recuperate.
I think it’s a FANTASTIC idea! So we go ahead.
2. Booking the flight and accommodation
We book the flights and accommodation. Go through the itinerary and get more and more excited about it. Even more excited when a group chat of everyone going is created. WOOO!
3. Three days before the trip
Reality hits. Oh no I’m going to be away for a few days. I’m going to be away from my kids. What if they need me? What if they hit a new milestone, learn a new word and I miss it all.
4. Two days before the trip
Okay time to start packing. As I put my clothes in my luggage bag I think to myself “Why? Why am I doing this? Did I really have to go for this trip? Maybe I should’ve brought the kids.
5. One day before the trip
OH NO IT’S ONE DAY AWAY. OH NO OH NO WHY DID I AGREE TO GO ON THIS TRIP?! WHY?!?! AM I A BAD PARENT?!
SHIT NO TIME TO THINK ABOUT THAT NOW… GOTTA SPEND EVERY LAST MINUTE OF THE DAY WITH MY KIDS.
6. The day of the trip
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!! I DON’T WANNA GO I DON’T WANNA GO!!.
*Hugs Penny and Fighter*
Please don’t grow up so much while Daddy is away ok?
*hops into car and car moves away*
By the time I reach the airport it feels a bit better. The hardest part is done with and I’m just focused on the trip now. On the trip Shorty and I normally have a great time as long as it’s not too long a trip and we miss the kids a little too much.
That’s the funny thing about having kids. Before I had kids, my older friends used to joke and tell me you lose your freedom when you have kids That’s partly true, I mean I can’t just go on a month long holiday now that I have responsibilities with the kids. So why is it partly true?
Well because a good part of losing that freedom is losing it willingly. That I myself don’t want to go on trips or leave the kids for long periods of time. I myself want to spend more time with them.
I read a lot that it’s important for parents to go for trips on their own so they can relax and have their own space. It’s just so hard to say goodbye each time we go… but the good thing is the hellos feel great.
I’m going on a holiday tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Timothy Tiah – Co-Founder of Colony, Kuala Lumpur Co-Working Space