Have you left your babies to go on holiday?

[cheezelz]

I am in the middle of a dilema. DD, DH & I are off to Canada to visit my mum for 4 weeks over Xmas:reindeer: . We had planned this trip before DD was born and have been planing on leaving DD with my mum for 2 nights and going to Vegas to have a break. Now my only problem is actually knowing if I will be able to leave her for that long. I mean I will be going to another country and although its only a 3hr flight away Im petrified.

We arrive in Canada on December 8 and would go to Vegas from 18-20. The gives us 2 weeks to settle DD in and for her to become attached to my mum again. Im just worried if she cried and my mum wont know how to settle her or if she starts refusing the bottle. Im going to try and express so she has breastmilk but she can be fussy.

I know if we dont go, when we are back home in our normal lives I will regret it.:snow:

So this leads me to my question: When did you first leave your children to go on holiday? And did you have the same anxiety as me?

[cheezelz]

I must be the only meanie that wants to leave her baby and go on a holiday.:laughing:

[punkbaby]

I have to say that i havent left my kids hardly at all but when dd2 was 11 months old i had a night in the city (a naughty nite with hubby in a motel LOL) honestly i had the same anxieties as you although i was only 30 minutes away.

Two weeks I think it enough time for your dd to settle back in with you mum, perhaps give your mum a few extra things to do so for your own peace of mind, you know your dd will let her do it and you know your mum does it your way! Even though i am sure she is more than capable lol but me being a paranoid mother well thats what i would do thats all!

Two nights isnt a long time really plus i dont think that your dd will really notice that your gone anyhow, you will worry more than her :) plus like you said you will be 3 hours away so you arent that far away if she needs you

Enjoy your holiday and have a break if you can, at least she will be with someone you trust not just some babysitter :)

[SassyMummy]

I haven't left my daughter longer than overnight... but I would. I don't think I'd go travelling for a long time, but a weekend away (and really, that's what it will be for you guys) isn't a big deal.

Your mother will manage. She doesn't need to know the ins and outs of your DD's behaviour... she'll figure it out just like you have had to. She might not have it down-pat by the time you get back, but she'll have figured out a way to make it work.

TBH, I don't really care how my mother deals with DD. She probably doesn't do what I'd do, but I figure she can figure it out her own way... and if that means letting DD stay up later than normal, or giving her lollies when I wouldn't, then that's her perogative... because it won't affect DD in the long-term, but will help my mother survive the short-term care she'll have of DD.

Have fun on your holiday! :thumbsup:

ETA - I'd still write down when she generally feeds/sleeps, for a guide to help your Mum.

[abibelsmum]

I went on holiday overseas the day after DD1's 2nd birthday. She spent her time with both grandmothers and we missed her more than she missed us.

I'm sure everything will be fine - especially since you will be there to settle her in before going away.

[cheezelz]

. TBH, I don't really care how my mother deals with DD. She probably doesn't do what I'd do, but I figure she can figure it out her own way.

ETA - I'd still write down when she generally feeds/sleeps, for a guide to help your Mum.

Thanks SassyMummy. This makes sense. Im sure she will be able to cope. I mean she has had 3 children of her own. Im just stressed that it may have some long term affect on DD with me not being there. My mum hasnt seen her in months with living in Canada so Im sure DD will get her undivided attention.

[poshBecks]

DH took me to Melbourne for 5 days last year.... DS was 2.5 & DD was 10 months...

I was a little nervous leaving them, but it was good for me to get away... I just rang everyday :) They were fine :thumbsup:

[little bean]

Maybe, during your first two weeks, get your mum to look after DD a lot - giving her bottles, leaving them together for a few hours etc. This way, by the time comes to go to Vegas, you will feel comfortable that DD will accept bottles from your mum and it will all go smoothly.

If things don't work out and there is a real crisis, remember you can always board the next plane and go back to see them.

Definitely give it a go. I'm sure it will be fine. :)

[ShadyCharacter]

I personally wouldn't do it (my son is 3 and I have never spent a night away from him) until I feel my son is old enough to *want* to stay at Nanna's or whatever. I just think young children need their parents avaliable to them.

Thats not to say you shouldn't - you do whatever you think is best for your little girl :)

[sunnyflower]

I couldn't leave my six year old son but i am a wimp,it wouldn't bother him at all!!

I think you should do it,life is about taking risks,i am sure your mum will be able to cope and if not she can always ring you!!

[Chelle123]

I'm guilty twice over but wouldn't change it.

The first time, DS1 was 6 months and I did feel bad leaving him but my DH was training in Perth for a week, staying at the Sheraton free of charge and the only cost to us was my flight, so I went for 3 nights. I was confident with my parents looking after DS because I had stayed there heaps with him while DH worked in the country and they knew his routine and he was very comfortable with them.

The second time was early this year, we left both boys with my parents and we went to Tassie for a short break (2 nights). I didn't feel guilty because we needed the break after the turmoil of my m/c and we, as a couple, needed to re-connect.

[cheezelz]

Well I think Vegas is cancelled anyways now. We are still going to Canada but my mum is booked in for a hysterectamy next week so I dont think she will be up for looking after DD if we go away. I know she says that she will be fine but Im not going to risk it with my mum in that sort of condition.:no:

[MummyCharmzy]

We left our 4 kids for almost 2 weeks to go on our honeymoon in august! At the time they were 13 months, 2y1m, 4 and 5 yrs old....

my POOR mother though... the day we left they all got the flu and we arrived home as they got healthy again!!!

I missed them terribly the whole time but it was worth it, my honeymoon was absolutely incredible and I convinced myself to do it (reallyyyy considered taking 13 month old with me) because I figured it would be at least 20 years before I got to do it again so why not do it while I can :D

[KatiesMum]

We left DD with my Mum for 5 nights to go on hols (REALLY needed it!!!!!!) We came back so refreshed and much better parents (more patience, had some sleep etc)

DD loved it as she loves my Mum (who adores her so couldnt wait for us to go...)

How long does it take to get over a hysterectomy. I would have thought by Christmas time she would still be ok.....I guess you will have to see how she is, and if she wants to....

[Noah_and_Elijah]

I personally wouldn't do it (my son is 3 and I have never spent a night away from him) until I feel my son is old enough to *want* to stay at Nanna's or whatever. I just think young children need their parents avaliable to them.

Thats not to say you shouldn't - you do whatever you think is best for your little girl :)

I completely agree with what is said here. I couldn't (and wouldn't) leave my son for a long period of time during the day let alone overnight or for several nights! God help me! I would be a mess!

Until he asks me if he can go and stay at someone's house he will be at home with me.

But that's just what works for us. :)

[catalicious]

Yes I have left my boys alone....


Loch is 5 and I have been probably away for 2 weekends without him...

When jack was one and loch was 4 i went t melbourne with DP, we won a weekend away..... So Iw as gone from friday till sunday..... And I tell youn what it was THE BEST time f my life!!

I missed the kids but I TRUST my family and That inclues my MIL who had them and everything was fine...

I think both me and the kids appreciated each other more from not being around each other all the time......


I am now going away in December from the 7th to the 10th.....im going to Queensland again without the kids..... Loch will be in Tasmania with my parents and sister fr 2-3 weeks and i am going away the last 4 days of him being away.... and Jack will be staying with my MIL.....

I cant wait!!! Sorry I missed the point!!! LMAO!!!! I did feel anxious the first time (when It was just loch) But no i didnt feel anxous at all the other times cause I know i trust my family i mean they raised us and mil raised dp....... YOu deserve a break... Go for it hunni!! Hope your mum recovers in time!!

[forbetoel]

Goodluck with what ever you do, but I could never leave my kids to go on holiday. I have been away from them overnight before, but that was more than enough time, any longer and I would miss the kids so much that it would ruin my holiday.