Anyone "send their kids away"?

WatchPot · June 2011

Do you let your kid(s) go for extended visits without you being there? We have sent him to see his out of state family with out us every year since he was 7 months old, but this year I'm more worried because 1) he'll be gone 10 days and 2) he is old enough to remember the bad habits he's picked up.

If you haven't done it yet, will you? At what age?

pinktulips · June 2011

Luke went to visit his grandparents for an extended visit at 3. He then did it every summer until he was 8. Now, he goes to visit his dad roughly twice a year, but since his dad doesn't parent, it's mroe that he his visiting his grandparents.

When he would visit his grandparents, I would worry about bad habits (and dangerous situations), but ultimately they love him to death. When he came home, it would take a few days of readjustment, but it wasn't too bad.

Now, when he goes, it's the other set of grandparents and I have no concerns. He even flys by himself, just now reaching the age of not having to be an unaccompanied minor.

LauraLynneC · June 2011

My son went to live in Germany for 5th grade. My mom lived there (my step dad works for Boeing and was working in Germany for several years). I sent him to live with her and go to german school for a year. 364 days to be precise. It was an awesome experience for everyone - my mom and step dad got to spend time with him, I got one on one with my daughter, and my son got a year's worth of German school and European traveling!

They've also both gone to visit their dad in Florida - twice now. Once when they were 8 & 10, and once when they were 13 & 15 (ya, he doesn't use his visitation very often - looooser!). I had no apprehension about putting them on a plane (I was more nervous about them spending time with people they didn't know very well, their dad and his girlfriend and her FIVE kids...)

ChubbyCheekiesMom · June 2011

We've gone as long as 3-4 nights at my parents house and that's it. I don't have anyone else I trust to leave him with overnight. He will be going to my parents July 20th-July-24th this year. We usually do a 2-4 night drop off during the Summer so H and I can go do stuff baby free.