Leaving the kids home with the grandparents

DH and I are going to Europe in a few weeks and leaving the kids with my parents for 5 days. This will be the first time DH and I go away alone together since DS#2 was born 15 months ago. My boys look for me constantly. My parents are no longer local so I worry about the younger one because my parents are somewhat strangers to him.

Do you think 5 days is too long to leave the kids?

I regret booking this trip.

Re: Leaving the kids home with the grandparents

I couldn't do it...

but plenty of people do. Maybe it's healthy.

Could you do a "test run" over night with your parents? May make your decision either way.

My DD couldn't care less who takes care of her, but my DS is different. When we had ILs start watching him, it took a month of getting everyone warmed up.

Re: Leaving the kids home with the grandparents

im leaving on Sunday with DH for a trip to PR and we wont be seeing DD till the saturday after. She is staying with my parents. DH is having second thoughts now and kinda does not want to go cause hes going to miss her. I havent admited it to him but i kinda feel the same way.

I know in the long run she will be fine. we will enjoy time to ourselves and i am sure she will remember who we are when we get back

ETA: DD will be 18 mongths July 1st!

Message edited 6/26/2012 8:47:15 AM.

Leaving the kids home with the grandparents

DD is 21 months now and we'll be leaving for vacation in August for a week and she'll be with my parents. She sees them almost everyday and has had sleepovers and I admit, there have been times when she's looked for me but she usually gets over it and has a good time.

I know it's easy to worry and natural, but go and enjoy yourselves. You need the break and the kids will be fine. You can call every night to check on them. If it makes you feel better, have them sleep over before you leave a few times to get them acclimated.

Re: Leaving the kids home with the grandparents

My younger one is VERY attached to me. With that said, we've left our kids with my in-laws for as many as 8 days. While I miss the terribly, I think the once a yea we do this is no big deal. We need this time without the kids from time to time.

My DS has no issue with being away for me/us.

Re: Leaving the kids home with the grandparents

I am telling you from experience...

Go, go now! Go & enjoy!

It is much easier to leave a 2 year old who is never going to remember being left than to go away when they're older.

I say it because we waited far too long to go away by ourselves & it was a great chance for us to reconnect.

If DS doesn't really "know" your parents, he will have the opportunity to really know them. He will adapt after a day or two.

Re: Leaving the kids home with the grandparents

We left my then 17 month old DS home with my parents while we went to Aruba in April. I was filled with anxiety and dreaded the trip and it was even hard for me while I was there to have fun since I was constantly thinking about DS. I read a comment on another thread that someone claimed that a baby feels abandonment if its parents leave for 5 days and that stuck with me while there.

However, my son was FINE. He thrived being with grandma and pop-pop and they took him to places I never go (the pet store, auto parts places, the park every morning, etc). He had a ball and was completely normal when we came home.

Go, have a good time and don't listen to any negativity you may hear. It's good for mommy to have a break.

Re: Leaving the kids home with the grandparents

The kids will be fine it's like a vacation for tem too! Dh and I left the kids for 4 days. My kids were fine,I wanted to stay one more day My inlaws were very tired, but their house is not baby proof.

Are your kids staying in your home? If so it will be easier, go and have fun!

Re: Leaving the kids home with the grandparents

I agree, go & have fun! Your younger one will be fine especially since he'll have older DC with him.