7 Month Old Traveling Without Parents

Your concern is valid. You may want to consider your relationship with your mother-in-law and grandma; the reason they are driving to Alabama (from where and do they have all the items your daughter will require: car seat, crib, clothing, food) and why are they taking her to where? Are they going to visit relatives? Out of State? Why aren't you invited to go, too?
Are you and your boyfriend going on a honeymoon? Or will you spend 10 days in agony worrying about your daughter.

Bottom Line: she's too young to travel without a parent and it's your decision. If your boyfriend doesn't want more children, then thank god.

K.,

Can you go with them? I disagree about the difficulties of travelling with a 7 month old...it is actually pretty easy. My son travelled extensively from 6 weeks old to the present (he is 3 1/2 now) and when he was an infant I took my mom with me as well since it was for my job. I left him overnight with my parents for the first time when he was about 3 months old along with some bottles of breastmilk. However, he was only about 30 miles away from me.

So, maybe you could go with them?? Also, another item I didn't see discussed is that no one other than the baby's parents can make medical decisions or get treatment without proper legal authorization.

I would not allow your baby to cross state lines without a parent - and certainly wouldn't put her in a position where medical treatment couldn't be obtained.

I personally think all the people who say that they won't let anyone else drive their child are crazy - as long as the person has a proper car seat.

Best wishes, C.

You are not over-reacting! I agree with Kristine, she covered all the basis. I would NEVER have let my son go anywhere for that long at 7 months. HE IS BEING RIDICULOUS!!!!! I wouldn't let anyone else drive him around until he was about 3. Kristine is right, maybe you should think long and hard about him as a father if he being so unreasonable. You're instincts are correct on this. A mother's intuation is our sixth sense, don't let him bully you into going against it!! GOOD LUCK!

Im with you. I think thats too young, and I would totally be uncomfortable with this. Your boyfriend should not be guilting you and he should understand how you feel!

I'm with you! She is too young! anyway you should follow your guts.

You are not overreacting. It's your job to protect your child not to be popular. Who cares what anyone (including your boyfriend) thinks or says? Follow your instinct and protect your child. Remember - you can get a new boyfriend but you will never forgive yourself if something happens to your child. Sometimes being a mommy makes you unpopular, unliked or judged but it's your job to do it right! I have a 19 month old and I wouldn't let her go for a day by herself on an out of town trip with anyone. Be strong!!

Don't let your boyfriend make you feel guilty! You are absolutely right about this. I would never let my 7 month old go out of town without me for ANY period of time. I was still breastfeeding both my kids at that age so it would have been a non-issue anyway. Why is it so important to your boyfriend that the baby be gone? Is it because he wants to spend more time alone with you? Surely that can be arranged without the baby being sent to another state.

You're not overreacting one bit. It's not surprising that you'd feel uncomfortable about it. Your responsibility as a mom is to care for your baby, not send her on vacation. I'd be uncomfortable with the idea of someone caring for her properly for so long when they are not accustomed to the continuous demands of caring for a baby. It's one thing to babysit for a few hours or all day long. It's another to care for a baby 24/7 all of a sudden. I'd worry about my baby being left to cry or fed food not appropriate for her or getting sick. I don't like the idea of people other than my husband or me making decisions about my children. Not to mention, I'd worry about the people driving her around getting in a car accident. I'd worry about her being strapped in the car seat properly. I'd worry about her getting out of her routine. Heck, I wouldn't even go on a road trip with my children at that age because it's a lot of work. Also, separation anxiety starts up around this age. Babies need their mothers. I know some people are ok leaving a baby this age and going on vacation themselves (I'm not one of them). But that's a bit different than sending your baby on a road trip where they're spending hours on the road totally out of their environment.

I would tell your boyfriend that YOU question having more children with HIM since his decisions regarding the welfare of your child are questionable. I'm sorry if that's harsh, but the whole thing about him getting angry about this is so absurd.

I would never agree to that either.. Especially at that age. I dont even think I could do a weekend! Let alone 10 days.. He should understand that is a very long time. You will go crazy that long away from here! I have friends that travel for work and will do no more than 3 days because it is just torturous on them! He is being selfish by not understanding you.. That is a very long time away from her at such a young age. For her too...I honestly dont see how they would even ask you to do such a thing! Good Luck

No you are not overreacting. She is only 7 months old. I have a 4 and 3 year old and they are not allowed to go out of town with anyone not even grandparents. Do not second guess your instincts as a mother if it does not feel right to you then it simply is not right.

Hi K., I completely agree with you!!! I wouldn't let my 3 year old go away with out me with anyone!! Stick by your intuition and try to gently explain to your boyfriend that you love him and your child and need him to understand. Good luck

I never usually respond, but this seems so obvious... You are absolutely right! Why would you want to send such a young infant anywhere without either of her parents! She will have no memory of the trip, she will be a tremendous amount of work for the grandmother and great-grandmother, and you will be worried the entire time. Your boyfriend should be happy that you are a concerned mother. Perhaps you can suggest that you go with them or offer them an extended stay with you and your boyfriend that will give them more access to the baby. But I would not even let my own mother travel alone with such a young baby and I love her and think she's responsible. It's just too young!