Myself and my husband are planning a vacation with some friends in the next coupld of months. None of these other friends are married nor do they have children. We will be doing adult things on this trip...drinking, dancing, etc. We are just wondering if it is normal, or okay to leave our 19 month old with Nana for this week? Nana adores her and she adores Nana. We simply feel a little guilty about leaving her for so long, but know she would be well taken care of. Has anyone else left their child for so long? Any ways of coping?
2006-09-05 04:04:37 · 29 answers · asked by lululala 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
It's perfectly normal to do that! Think about all the people who get pregnant and have children before they get married, they go on their honeymoons after. You and your husband need "adult time" too! It's good for you and your husband. Besides you can't be with your children ALL the time. Eventually they go to school and camping trips (ie:girl guides, scouts) even when they are young. Just make sure you keep telling her "mommy and daddy will be back for you" even at such a young age they need some reassurance. Try to call her a few times while you are away to reassure her that you are still there. It will be hard for all of you (meaning you & your husband and your daughter ) there isn't much you can do about those feelings... but know that you will probably be more upset about it then she will be. Just tell yourself it will make you both more confident when she's older to have sleep overs and go to school etc... don't worry and try to have a good time enjoy the alone time with your husband too!
2006-09-05 04:19:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. This sounds like an adults only activity, and it would not be appropriate to bring a young child. You will probably be going out, especially in the evening, and most likely people will be drinking on vacation - so you shouldn't bring your child. It's perfectly fine to leave your child with Nana. You and your husband need a life outside of your child. Marriages take work and you need some alone time. Also, it's good for your child to experience time away from the parents - he will have to grow up eventually and learn to be separated from you. You don't want him to develop separation anxiety later in life (especially when he has to start school and be away from you the whole day) because he never experienced what it is like to be away from you. This also provides a great opportunity for your child to bond with Nana - I believe having a grandparent really enriches a child's life and development. You can call and check in once or twice a day, but go ahead and enjoy your vacation!
2006-09-05 04:19:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I haven't but it would be a dream come true. If I had Nana around I definitly would leave her, as long as I know she knows everything there is to know about how to care for her.
If you are comfortable with leaving her with Nana and think that she is compotent then it is good for you guys to get away and enjoy yourselves. You are not being bad parents and as a matter of fact it's good to get your baby and Nana used to each other in this way in case you ever have to go away again in the future for an emergency, business, pleasure, whatever it may be.
Take advantage of the situation some people don't have the luxury you have.
Oh my God, do not listen to St.Helena at all, what an overprotective psycho. Children should learn to be able to be without parents sometimes, that's part of life and a part of becoming independent.
2006-09-05 05:19:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Leave her at Nana's! You need some time for you an your husband to do adult things. Don't feel guilty after a while she won't even remember that you left her with Nana. We left our son (2 yrs old @ the time) with a really good family friend for 5 days and went to Mexico. I felt guilty because that was the first time we had really left him for that long with someone. To our surprise our son didn't cry once while we were gone (he did ask for us but our friend assured him that he would see mommy and daddy in x amount of days). We called him every other day just so he could hear our voices (actually I really think it was so I could hear his!) After the first time it gets easier.
2006-09-05 09:30:31 · answer #4 · answered by ♥♪ TrickNice ♪♥ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES, YES, AND YES!! You sound just like me. The guilty feeling probably wont go away, but you will find that this experience is something you need with your husband. Let Nana take care of the little one, and you'll realize that you probably were more nervous than your child. I left my son when he was a toddler for a week, and I almost cancelled the trip, but everything worked out. Nana enjoyed him and he enjoyed her.
2006-09-05 04:08:10 · answer #5 · answered by love 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let granny have some fun. Besides its better to have baby there if the adult time includes drinking. I have never left my children for a long period of time. What i have seen is most parents are to worried about the kids the whole time n its a wasted vacation. You might also need to find a few friends with children. BUT ALL parents need a break.
2006-09-05 05:17:19 · answer #6 · answered by blwatson41 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds fine to me.. it's not like you are leaving your daughter with a total strange or someone she doesn' t like.
I don't think you can completely shake off the guilty feeling. My sister did this. After they returned, their daughter just cried and cried and expressed anger that "they left". But she soon forgot about it after lots of cuddling and kisses. She was much younger at the time like only 1y. Your daughter is older, you can explain that mommy & daddy has to go somewhere for a little while, but you will be back. And Nana wants to spend more time with her. And this is a special treat for her.
2006-09-05 04:16:23 · answer #7 · answered by mom_of_ndm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never left my children for so long a weekend at most, and mine are a lot older then yours. But I do have several friends who have and everything has been fine. If they are with nana . Have fun It is natural to feel guilty and be unsure. Just look at it logicaly. Your child will be safe and you will have fun and get to burn off steam.
2006-09-05 04:12:59 · answer #8 · answered by sassssy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heck, yeah, go! Nana is an ideal situation. We recently left our 1 yr old, 4 yr old, and 7 yr old with the grandparents and they had a grand time-- it was like a vacation for them, too. Have fun!
2006-09-05 04:57:20 · answer #9 · answered by shrinkydinkheart 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are a stay at home mom I say no, but if NANA is Grandma and she is a familiar person. It should be OK. Chances are you will miss her more than she you. Especially if she is in Daycare
most the time it will seem like any other day of you not beeing there. :)
2006-09-05 05:49:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋