The One Parent Rule

In my post about Mate's trip to Chicago, I mentioned something about not leaving the girls without both of their parents for more than a day.  Let me start by saying that this is not something I recommend to others.  I think it is AMAZING when parents of young children take a little vacation without the kids.  AMAZING.  As I look through pictures they post, I envy their time as a couple, their umbrella drinks, their feet in the sand.  Then, I remember why I don't hop on a plane and leave the girls behind.  There is an ever present reminder in my family that sometimes people leave and they don't come back (I'll save those details for another day).  The thought of my children being left behind if something happened to both of us freaks me out.  I know when we have a date night there is a chance something might happen, making my apprehension to go farther away from them kind of silly.  However, until they are old enough to understand that we didn't abandon them should something happen, it will be all of us getting on an airplane or only one of us.  We all have our own little bit of crazy and I own this as part of mine.  I'll even admit that I have a whole document (in addition to our Will) made out that includes certain guidelines we'd like for our girls should they ever be left in the care of others.  Here's a little peek at that:

Participation in at least one extra-curricular activity

Summer job by age 16

They should pay for at least the texting portion of a cell phone bill

Maintain a 3.0 grade point average to receive privileges

If they are punished, they are not allowed to go to another family member’s house to avoid consequences

Participation in at least 1 community service activity per year

4 out of 7 nights a week they need to be home for dinner

You can attribute all of this to my Type-A personality, accuse me of being controlling or recognize that this is just a symbol of how much we love our children.  If anything were to happen, I want the girls to know that we are still guiding them. 

Of course, we have every intention of raising these girls on our own and will surely enjoy the first getaway without kiddos (hopefully).