Why Every Couple Needs a Kid-Free Getaway (And How to Make It Happen Without Guilt)
After 11 years of marriage and three kids, my husband and I finally took our first road trip — just the two of us. And let me tell you: it changed everything.
We drove from Florida to Atlanta, stayed at the gorgeous Glen Hotel,
danced under a rooftop sky, and — for the first time in years —
remembered what it felt like to be us. Not just parents.
Not just co-managers of a busy household.
But partners, lovers, and best friends.
But let me be honest with you: getting to that moment wasn’t easy.
Because before I could pack my bags, I had to unpack something heavier — mom guilt.
The Truth About Mom Guilt…
I used to believe that stepping away from my kids, even just for a weekend, made me a “bad mom.”
I thought leaving them meant I was being selfish or irresponsible.
What if they needed me? What if something went wrong?
What if they resented me for going?
Those thoughts kept me stuck — and they kept my marriage stuck, too.
Because the truth is:
when you never make space for your relationship,
your relationship stops making space for you.
Why Time Away Matters for Couples
Intentional time away from your children isn’t about escaping them —
it’s about reconnecting with yourself and your partner.
It’s about stepping out of the daily routine and
remembering why you chose each other in the first place.
Here’s what our trip gave us:
Room to talk without interruptions
Moments to rest without responsibilities
Time to flirt, laugh, and dream together again
Even just a couple of days away gave us clarity, compassion, and connection.
We came home as better parents because we poured into each other first.
How to Make a Guilt-Free Getaway Happen
Let’s be real — it’s not always easy to leave the kids, but it is possible.
Here are some tips to help you plan your own guilt-free getaway:
1. Reframe “Time Away” as “Time to Reconnect”
Taking a trip doesn’t mean you’re abandoning your family —
it means you’re investing in its foundation.
A healthy relationship models love, respect, and balance for your kids.
You're showing them what partnership looks like.
2. Start Small if You Need To
You don’t have to hop on a plane right away.
Try a local overnight stay or even a daytime date.
Just one night in a hotel without a toddler climbing
into your bed can do wonders for your relationship.
3. Plan Ahead for Peace of Mind
Prepare your kids in advance. Set them up with a trusted caregiver.
Write a schedule if that helps.
The more confident and calm you are, the more confident and calm they’ll be.
4. Lean Into the Benefits — Not the Fear
You’re not doing this because you don’t love your kids.
You’re doing this because you do.
A rested, connected couple makes for a stronger, more resilient family.
5. Schedule It Like You Mean It
Put it on the calendar. Budget for it. Treat it like a non-negotiable — because it is.
You don’t need a crisis to justify taking time together. You just need a commitment.
The RESET
This wasn’t just a trip to Atlanta. It was a reset —
a chance to look each other in the eyes and say, “We’re still here. We still matter.”
If you’re feeling lost in the daily grind of parenting and life, I see you.
I was you. And I promise: just a little time away can create a lot of healing.
So plan the trip. Say yes to yourself. Say yes to each other.
And if you need a photographer to document it all I’m here for you.
Because your love story deserves its own getaway, too.
