what age to start staying at grandma's house??

[Funtimes]

DS is 5mths old. DP and his mother are keen for DS to start, 'staying over at grandma's house'.
I personally dont like the idea, yet.
I think DS is way too young and he belongs home at night with his mother, I couldn't bear him not being at home and am not comfortable with the idea at all.
One day yes, but I think it's way too early.
What age did your baby/kids start staying 'at grandma's house' for the night????

[Dea]

my girls were 18 months .. nick was 10 months .. only cause DD broke her leg & i was in hospital with her.. had no choice .. abbi is 2 & hasnt as yet ...
i think 5 months is a tad early .. all mine were breatfed till 10 months or more so that was prefect excuse .. dh parents begged for the kids .. but they never got them till the kids were 5....

[jess_live_die]

when i moved out the 1st time my dd1 stayed over at 2 that was the 1st time i think 5 to 12 months is a little younge but that me i also think little bundles should be at home with there mummys

[the_queen]

oh my goodness, not until she was well over 2 yrs old. Old enough to be able to talk to and be understood, if that makes sense. Old enough for grammy to say "it's ok, mummy will be back in the morning" and she would absolutely understand.

My mum has starting already asking for sleepovers, for about 6 months now, with my boy. He's 12 months next week! :eek: I laugh it off and tell her "hang on, I didn't realise you were lactating?" :laughing:

[oleander]

Of course your MIL is keen but unfortunately she has to understand that you are the mother and you have the final word in regards to your child.

Tell them your not comfortable leaving him yet and you will let them know when you are.

[mummajuice]

My MIL started pressing for sleepovers when DD was around the same age but I just told her that once she had developed a consistent sleeping routine and was off night feeds and competently on solids it would be fine.

DD is now 13 months and the occasional sleepover is a nice break, although I do still stress that she's not going to put DD to bed at the normal time or feed her junk foood but I guess that's just me being paranoid.

I think it comes down to personal choice and you will know when you are ready. And when that time comes don't be afraid to send a list of instructions and routine including which foods are a no-no. If she doesn't respect you enough to follow your list then she doesn't deserve the privilege of your baby's company.

[*Chels*]

Well my son is 18 months and still has booby thru the night.Hes never had a sleepover away from me.My mum offered to have him for the night of our wedding,and I told her we would see what happens.
I dont think I could actually sleep with him staying away,I would be far too worried!

Do what feels right for you,if you arent ready to have your baby away from you for a night-dont do it.
There will be plenty of time for sleepovers once they are older!!!

[~Emmylou~]

DD stayed overnight with my mother for the first time very recently and she's two and a half. And that was only because we had to go to a funeral out west and didn't want her to have to sit in the car for hours.

DS hasn't and won't be going anywhere without me for a while yet. While he's breastfed no one asks anyway :laughing:

Neither of them will be staying over at MIL's overnight for a loooong time yet (long story.)

[Wake_tonight]

In my opinion, that is WAY too young. My 30-month old has never spent the night away from me. I can't even imagine having a five month old sleeping apart from me! Breastfeeding at grandma's would also be tricky :D

Seriously though, he is your son and it is your right to choose when you feel like you are both ready to be apart for the night. Don't let your partner or his mother pressure you into something you don't feel comfortable. At five months, you son need his mum and I know I certainly wouldn’t be letting my five month old away from me overnight.

[mumofcaleb]

I agree with what others have said. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving DS overnight until he was close to the age of 3...and even then I will still feel weird about it. My mum and her husband have put the pressure on and I said no way not until he is 3 or so.

[jasminesmum]

My dd is 2 tomorrow and has never slept over anywhere without me. I wouldn't feel comfortable with her doing it yet.
Maybe when shes 5.:D

[Rell]

I think it is up to you when you feel both you and your child are ready. My MIL started asking about sleep overs when DD was very young and there was no way I was going to let her stay over night. In the end she got her way when DD was almost 2 only because I was very sick in hospital. Poor DS was only 9mths when he spent a night away and again it was because I was in hospital. I was acctually really anoyed that she wouldn't come to our house to look after the kids.

[mysunflower]

my son was 4 but we got that phone call at 10pm because she had excitted him so much she could'nt get him asleep he has done it since but he is 5 and my younger son was 3 but had no choose as we went to a wedding but was fine i felt very uneasy all night

[kiah]

Dd started a week after i was out of hospital. Had an engagement party.

Mum has always had her own nursery set up so it's worked for both kids.

Both my children spend regular time sleeping over at both sets of grandparents houses. They both have nurseries and both very capable. I like having time with my hub too.:thumbsup:

It's whatever u r comfy with really.

[LittleBoysRock]

DS is 21 months and will be staying overnight at MY mum's for the 1st time in a few weeks. That is so he gets used to staying there for when I give birth to my baby in September.

As for MIL that wont be happening until my DS is old enough to talk! I dont feel comfortable with the idea at all.

[misskittyfantastico]

My parents live 7 hours drive away....so no sleepovers as such:p I think DD was 11/12 months the first time she had a sleep over at the ILs...she had weaned by then. I wasn't happy or comfortable - felt hugely guilty.....it was a "mental health" break though.

[Roxy]

DD has only just had her first lot of sleep-overs at the grandparent's homes, and she turned 5 in March.

[Billy]

I think it is definitely what you are comfortable with. My DD is nearly 12months now and she has had quite a few sleepovers at MY mums house :D

Only because I feel very comfortable with this, as my mum agrees and supports us with all of our choices and has even co-slept with Rhianna before :thumbsup:

As for the IL's I can't see it happening EVER. :no: Just don't trust them...
They don't agree with our thinking at all! eg. They know I don't want to give my DD junk food for as long as possible- but still bought her a HUGE chocolate bunny for Easter... :rolleyes:


If you don't feel comfortable- don't do it (((HUGS)))

[JorBai]

Im gonna be in the minority here and say my DS has heaps of sleep overs at Grandma and Grandas house!

I trust my parents 100% and my DS thinks they are the best! He had his first sleep over very early in his life, maybe at a few months old.

Im always asking my mum for advice and she and my dad did a great job in bringing me up so yeah I feel totally happy with them having him. Altho, thats probably the only place I would be comfy with at this age. My MIL and FIL also would be great but they live in Victoria!

Do what you feel comfy with:thumbsup:

[cheezelz]

My DD stayed at my mums house at 3 weeks old. We had a wedding that my hubby was the Best Man so we had to stay till the end. I think also we needed to have a night away before we really sunk our teeth into parent hood. But I think now that she is 12 weeks and is more vocal and harder to settle than a 3 week old I dont think I would feel right leaving her with anybody. I know that some nights she is a real pain to get to sleep so I would feel guilty giving someone else the responsibility. Also if I dont yet know all the "signs" to her needs no one else would be able to read them and help her. She needs her mum!

[cheezelkat]

gosh, not for a few years yet. He and I would freak out without milky kisses goodnight or big hugs and grins to wake up to in the morning.

[Areca]

DD still hasn't...not even on our wedding night. She'll stay over when I'm in labour I'm sure....might do a trial run before then, but maybe not. If I'm in labour and DH is with me she doesn't have much choice...but my p's have said they'll come sleep at our house if need be so DD can be in her own environment.
I couldn't bear to not have her wake me up in the morning!