I'd like to take a short weekend break away with my husband but what age do you think I can leave my daughter. I'm not going to say what age she is (although she is over 6 months) as I'd like genuine responses especially from people who've done this. She knows my parents well and tends to see them at least once a week. Mum often has her for several hours.
2006-09-20 00:36:43 · 65 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
Thank you for all the answers. I've just booked a night away on Sat which we desperately need. Mum's more than capable of looking after her, I just need to accept that she does some things differently than me! Toto is nearly 13 months so I think most people agreed that that was reasonable. Thank you again, you made my decision easier!
2006-09-20 02:03:08 · update #1
Make sure your child has a comfort level with the G-Parents and vice versa. Once you have the confidence that they are comfortable together, you can leave your child with them.
There's really no age, it's all about your comfort level. You don't want to go on a trip and be sad all weekend that you're away from your child.
We have had several getaways (my son is a year old now) which started around 5 months. Grammy and Grandpa babysat.
Hope that helps.
2006-09-20 00:45:35 · answer #1 · answered by hfacto 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We did not leave any of our children overnight until they were old enough to have a conversation with us about it and understand where we were going and when we would be back.
My son was 25 months the first time we left him overnight. The only reason we did it then was because I was at the birth center having his sister. He stayed with his grandparents. If it had not been for necessity, I probably would have waited until he was old enough to ASK us if he could do it. The next time he was apart from us overnight he was probably 5 years old.
My middle daughter was about 3 years old the first time I left her.....but she was with her Dad!
My youngest is 3.5 years old and was put to bed by her Pappy last weekend. Her Dad and I came home around midnight, so she was at our home where things were familiar to her and we came home before she woke up in the a.m.
ADDING.....
BTW....I should add that an overnight shouldn't be until the child is old enough to be night weaned, so probably no earlier than 12 months, more likely 18 months.
2006-09-20 01:10:35 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are leaving her with those that she has a firm bond with then any age is fine! If you are worried about leaving her for the first time then get your parents over for a few nights and show them what you do and let them put her to bed a few times when you are still around so you can relax about it and your daughter can get used to someone else settling her. But really, it would all be to put your own mind at rest. Will your parents be coming to stay at your house? At least everything will still be familiar for your daughter and she can stay over at their house once you feel more able to 'let her go'! Believe me - once you've done it for the first time it will be easier another time. And sometimes you just need to get away with hubby for a bit (but you'll wonder what you used to do before she came along!)Go and enjoy yourself!
2006-09-20 01:10:27 · answer #3 · answered by wee stoater 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
is your daughter happy and contented when with her grandparents, only you know her that well to establish her moods. Is your mother willing and able to get up through the night if needed. I use to look after one of my grand daughters from the day she was born,(she is now seven) occasionally looking after her over night. It is a wonderful bonding time for grandparents, the good thing is we can give the children back and resume our lives after the time spent with them. Why not try an over night stay first, that way you are not too far away; you also need to be happy with the arrangements otherwise you will not relax and enjoy the time you and your husband will spend together. Good luck.
2006-09-20 00:59:34 · answer #4 · answered by chefling 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She should be able the spend the weekend at any age. Actually taking her to her Grandparents when she is still little is better than trying to drag her over there kicking a screaming for you when she is older. Does your Mum kept her at her house once a week?
I would go out one night with your husband, just to see how she does with the "night time" routine. Pick her up from Mum's when she is still sleeping. Maybe try one night (all night) at Mum's and see how she does. As long as Mum wants to watch baby, i say "Go for it girl and have a nice weekend with your husband!"
2006-09-20 00:51:09 · answer #5 · answered by little fairy lady 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Leave her at any age you feel comfortable with. It took me untill my oldest daughter was 13months old to let her go for a night. Yes I was a bit overprotective. But thats how I felt. My second daughter went over night around 9 months. My youngest well grammys too old and the other grammy moved away :-( she will get a turn some day!
If would reconsider it if she is going through any type of separation anxiety. Babys somewhere around 9m and 18m go through this. It doesn't last long though.
2006-09-20 00:49:02 · answer #6 · answered by erinjl123456 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hope you have a lovely weekend. I left both my boys overnight with my Mum and Dad from an early age. With my eldest (he's 8 now) it was different because we lived at home, with my second (just turned two), he was definitely less than a year. I think it was when Mum decided she could handle them both overnight! (and after night feeds stopped!). She has them regularly now which is lovely because you still need to be a couple, not always mum and dad. Enjoy your time together and know that your mum will love the time she spends with her grand daughter too.
2006-09-20 02:20:56 · answer #7 · answered by Flossie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would leave and have indeed left my children from birth with both my mother and also my in in-laws. To my mind there is no better person to look after children than your own parents. Not only do they love your child, but also they offer a substitute from parents, especially when they get older children often find it easier to talk to grandparents rather than parents, especially if they have had a close and friendly relationship with them from young.
The break will do both you and your husband the world of good, you child will want for nothing in her grandparents care and a change will also do the child good. It will make her more sociable and able to handle new circumstances.
Go for it and enjoy yourselves. (and who knows, maybe you will have another in nine months from now!!!!)
2006-09-20 00:53:51 · answer #8 · answered by London Girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any age..but that's up to you. You are the parent. If you feel you are ready for a break, then go for it. Me, I wasn't ready until my daughter was 3 1/2. I'm a full-time working mom, so I like to spend ALL of my free time with her.
Good luck and enjoy your night. (the first night that we let my daughter sleep over at the grandparents, we got pregnant LOL)
2006-09-20 01:00:22 · answer #9 · answered by jevic 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The question here is Can my parents cope with a weekend stay? Ask yourself this... Who brought you up? Yes your daughter will cry. and miss you almost as much as you will miss her.......... But I am also sure that You, Your husband, Your child and even the Grandparents will get a lot out of the weekend. I left my children with their Granny from time to time and as a result am still being told how well behaved they were for her and did not start asking for things until we . their parents appeared. Enjoy your weekend
2006-09-20 00:56:13 · answer #10 · answered by oldbutwise 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋