Will he cope??

[Jax Tellers Old Lady]

Hi guys I am after your experiences and wisdom with leaving your kids for the night. For the past three years I have had my son 24/7 and havent really been anywhere without him. Last month my mum was here and babysat while Dp and I went out for dinner and a few drinks. It was hard for me to do but also loved having fun with Dp like I used to many years ago. We were on breaking point and this night out seems to have worked wonders.

My mum doesnt live in Australia so thats the hard part. My Dad does and he and Ds have a great bond. I am wanting to try letting Ds stay at his poppas fr one night a month on a saturday night. This will be good for all of us I think as Ds will gain independence and Dp and I can have some fun time.

What I really want to know is how can I prepare my son for his frst night away from home? He was fine with my mum as she was in my house. I have talked to Ds about it and he thinks it sounds good but in saying that he is three and agrees to most things lol.

Should I worry or am I silly and should just bite the bullet.

[Benji]

I've been with my DS 24/7 also, but when I went to hospital he stayed with my mum and he loved it!! I don't think he even noticed I was gone.

Unfortunately I didn't get time to prepare for this, so I haven't got many suggestions as to how to prepare I just thought you might want to know that sometimes it can be done without stress (he did wake her at 2 am though lol).

[drewid]

Its a great age for sleepovers...our DS loves staying the night with my parents, and has also stayed one night with my in laws. I was a bit warier letting him stay at my in laws, i guess cos when it comes right down to it, i know my mother better than my mother in law, and just know that he will be fine with mum, whereas MIL is more of a unknown quantity. But he just loves it. He packs a little suitcase, takes his favourite stuffed toy and gets excited about it.

We just talk openly about it, and in the few days lead up, talk about what will happen ie. on friday we'll go to grandmas and you can sleep there, and mummy will pick you on saturday. So he knows what to expect. He's never had any worries though, barely even misses us - until we go to pick him up and then we get huuuge hugs.

Don't stress - it will more than likely be just fine and you'll wonder what you worried about. :) Its great fun for them to get away, a bit of a holiday from the regular routine - and it will do you good too! Some time to recharge and reconnect....its important :)

[Jax Tellers Old Lady]

Thanks for your replies I really do think he will be fine, Poppa spoils him rotten and Ds loves all the attention.

[subaruforestermum]

Get him to help you pack his bag, with his favourite toy, pillow, bedtime gear, so its exciting and comfortable for him...And so he knows what is in his bag to tell pop..

Umm maybe even buy a special Grandpa & Me book, for your dad to read to him, something that your DS loves, and is interested in..that is 'their' special book.

He will be fine, and you're only a phone call away.

Maybe start by leaving him with your dad for a couple of hours during the day on the weekend....and then progress from there...

[MummyGoingMad]

It might take him a while to get used to, it depends on the child. I think my DD would be ok but then again she's never had a sleepover before and I know she'd feel a lot comfortable at home. I think my poor Mum and Dad would have too much to deal with if they had the grandkids at their place, its better for me if they cme over and babysit (they dont live far away atm but we're moving o/s and wont have that anymore :crying:) and if we were staying out late they could always stay the night at ours ;)