You don’t have to go into great detail and tell family, friends or co-workers what you have planned.

 

However, you can tell them you and your partner just need some time away to spend together as a couple. 

 

There’s nothing intimate or embarrassing about that statement, and most people will readily understand your problem.

 

If your family or friends are not particularly forthcoming with offers, you can also suggest an ‘exchange’. 

 

Offer to take your neighbors kids to practice for a week or two in exchange for your children’s overnight visit to their house while you take your partner away for a weekend. 

 

Ask your sister or friend to come and stay with your child while you go out for a romantic evening.

 

Talk to your co-workers or boss, or the people your partner works with and tell them you’d like to get some time away. 

 

Ask if they can get coverage or trade some workload to make this happen and then make the appropriate arrangements. 

 

If all else fails, ask around in your community and get references for a good sitter, house sitter, dog sitter, companion – whatever you need to make your getaway possible. 

 

Allow yourself plenty of time to find the right person.  Don’t just leave your home or caretaker issues to a stranger without KNOWING they are competent. 

 

Preferably, find someone that a friend or family member used so you know from experience that they are good.

 

Now make a list of what has to be done, and leave contact phone numbers in case they have to reach someone.  If you don’t HAVE to leave your own numbers, so much the better. 

 

Perhaps your brother won’t watch the kids but he will act as the emergency number for the person staying at your home if they have a frozen pipe or their car breaks down and they can’t get the kids to soccer practice.

 

IF you can get a friend or family member to take care of your dog, house, children or elders while you are away, be sure to thank them by giving them a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant, or flowers, or candy or some other gift to show your appreciation.