DS is 3.5 and we have never left him overnight.

*sparky*

Anyone else never left their kid for even one night?  I know we need to do it, and we were planning to one night in February, but he keeps getting all of these viruses that leave us sitting up with him all night, or he ends up waking with a high fever or coughing in the middle of the night, so I am afraid to make plans to leave him and then have something like that happen.

I really need to just suck it up and leave him for a night don't i?  Or is it okay to wait for the spring?

stacynikki

DH has been gone many times for work.  I have never spent the night away from DS.  Just haven't felt the need or wanted to!

katie277s

If you can make it until Spring, then do it.  Although, I could not imagine not having a night off ever!  I would be taking him to Grammy's house immediately and enjoying some adult time.  And who better to take care of him (if he gets sick) besides his momma?  It would be his Grammy! 

Zenya

What's the rush?  I have left and DH has left but DS has never been without one nof us overnight.  I was lucky enough to deliver my DD at 3pm so DH got to go home that night.

If you want to leave then go for it.  But if you feel like staying (I know you WOH) then embrace it.

kylara111

I've never left mine overnight and won't for the foreseeable future.  In fact, I've only left them a handfull of times period with someone other than DH (my parents).  We don't have family nearby.

ppants

Wow.  I must be a bad mom.  We've left the twins overnight twice for our anniversarys since they've arrived.  We also leaving them overnight for Valentine's day.  My parents come and stay at our place with the kids.  It's nice to get away just the two of us.

butterbeansmama

mrs_sexy:

Wow.  I must be a bad mom.  We've left the twins overnight twice for our anniversarys since they've arrived.  We also leaving them overnight for Valentine's day.  My parents come and stay at our place with the kids.  It's nice to get away just the two of us.

I don't think anyone is saying that you are a "bad mom" for leaving your kids overnight (at least I hope not). We have left Preston overnight (for 5 nights actually) and will be leaving him overnight with Grammy and Grampa for 14 day come March (although, Grammy/Grampa will be staying at our house during this time).

Angela814

I don't think it matters one way or the other.  I've been gone overnight for work and vacation while DD was home with DH.  He's been gone for weekends while I've been home with her.  I think we've been gone one night together while ILs came over to take care of her.  I don't think you're hurting him if you don't leave, and I don't think you're hurting him if you do.

ccm1203

Who would you be leaving him with overnight?  If it was family I would go away in Feb if not I would probably hold off until spring. 

DS has stayed at my parents every wedding anniversary since he was born.  Last night was the first night he stayed at my in laws (he had a play date with his cousin today at the in laws).  I think overnights would happen more often if I didn't WOH.

gmugrad9

Yes we left DD just before she was 1 with my parents overnight to stay and a bed and breakfast.  It was great.

My parents have had her over night at least 3 times.  They are the only ones we have left her with.  I figure if my mother raised me then she knows what to do.

Jodi&Joe

I've left my children overnight plenty of times.

Sunflower777

To me, it is such a nice break and a nice chance to spend some alone time with DH. I agree with one of the pp - I can't imagine never having a night off! However, I'm lucky because we have family close by that we trust. My parents & DH's parents. If they weren't around, it would be another story. If you get the opportunity go for it - it would probably be good for everyone! : )?

FooBride

When faced with these kind of decisions, I try and remember what happened to me as a kid, if I even remember it and what I thought about it.  I know I was spending the night at my Grandmas by 3.5 yrs old, while I don't have specific memories for that age, I remember overall loving "no-parents" time at my  Grandparents house.   

I'd take that into account along with how much you want a break/alone time with your DH.

PrincessX

We've left our 2 DD's (4 and 2) quite regularly with grandparents overnight from the time they were infants.  Our plan was to start when it was harder for us than it was for the kids.  At age 3.5 it's going to be hard on both of you no matter whether you do it now or wait for spring.

I think it's important to teach my kids that they can trust people other than Mommy & Daddy.  What if one of us had to go into the hospital unexpectedly?  Or if we both had to go to an out-of-town event (wedding, funeral, whatever) where it wasn't appropriate to bring the kids?  I'd hate to make a difficut situation even more stressful on my babies because I didn't prepare them in advance.

Plus, it's really nice to get a weekend away now & then!

Px

femmegem

Like Zenya, I've been away for a few days and DH goes away for weeks each summer, but one of us has always been with DS overnight. My mom is not helpful and my dad is practically deaf (he has hearing aids in both ears), so I wouldn't feel safe leaving him with them. And DS barely knows ILs. I'm not in any big rush to leave him overnight. I don't think people who do are bad parents. I just don't see a particular need for us to do that.

wellfleet04

I don't think it makes you a bad parent if you do or if you don't.  I certainly don't think it makes you a "better" parent if you've never left your child overnight, either, though.  Just do what you're comfortable with.  We've left Kate overnight with my parents a few times, and with her nanny for a long weekend.  She was fine.  But if you don't want to, don't feel pressured to.