Am I Wrong???

No u are not wrong. I have four kids and they have never spent the night over anyone's house until they were at least 5 years old. And even then it was just a grandparent. People have guests in their homes that you don't know and even OTHER relatives cannot be trusted. Most kids that are molested are by relatives!! My kids ages are 16, 15, 9 and 16 months. My 9 year old's first sleep over was just recently but he's at an age now where he can voice his opinion. People have also made plans for my baby girl who is 16 months old. And I don't mean to be mean but I tell people that she is not spending the night over anyone's house no time soon. Because like I said, u may be able to trust the person who owns the house but what about THEIR guests? Thats my biggest concern. Anyway, you're not wrong and I wouldn't be concerned about hurting ANYONE's feelings because if something happens to your baby, you'll be the one feeling the hurt and pain FOREVER. Sorry to be so blunt. I'm just a very protective mother.

Hi
I don't think you are wrong at all! My son is 6.5 months and we go everywhere together, except for the fews days he is home with his father while I work. I plan to keep it this way for the next couple years until he can say otherwise. In May we will be leaving him overnight with my mother who I trust completely because she has taught me everything. Ofcourse we will be close by if any problems arise.
Do not leave leave your little girl with anyone if you don't feel comfortable. As for excuses, nursing works well and after that just be honest, tell them you will when your ready. It's your little girl.

i think its good that you dont want her to sleep out. I have a three year old girl and she is everything to me. My mother watches her during the day when iam at work. there are times she sleeps by my mother's house and i'm ok with it because I use to live with my mom when she was a baby however this last saturday her other grandmother wanted her to sleep over and she did. she is wonderful with her but i worried the whole time thinking she was crying for me. i think 8 months is really to small to sleep out with out her mommy. my girl is 3 and i still think thats a little young. have a great day.

Ok S., you need to think about this two ways, my daughter is 4 now and I have a very hard time leaving her with family and have not left her with friends for the same reason, no one will ever watch your child that way you will. You are unique in the fact that you are her mother. At this time yes she is a bit too young to leave on her own. That being said, emergencies do araise, illness can happen and there will come a time when you will want some alone time in the next five or six years... And when I say alone time, I mean you time. Pedicures, manicures, chocolate massage, time to regroup and refocus,recharge and reconnect with friends. So it may be a good idea to find some one whose thinking parallels your own and think about leaving the baby with that person. Start out slow, one or two hours, here and there,(believe me it's tough - I worry when my daughter is with my mother.) longer instances later on, this way the two of you work out your seperation anxiety together. This also will benefit you should your husband come home and decide that you guys need a romantic weekend away. As for the advice, listen to it all, use only what you think will help you and forget the rest. Family is there to help, even when you don't want it, but sometimes they come up with something good and you'll be glad you took the time to listen. Enjoy your daugther to the fullest, but don't forget to enjoy your life as well, there are other things that define who you are besides your child, even though that will be one of the greatest accomplishments you will have in your life.

Hi S.,

You remind me of ME (lol). When I had my first child (a daughter), I was nursing her right up until just about your baby's age and I refused to leave her anywhere. Except I went through extremes. I would not let her out my sight even during the day time and that was very hard on my physically and mentally. I understand your frustrations. But, consider this: sometimes, we need a little "mommy" time for ourselves to just relax and not think of anything but us. We tend to forget that at one time we used to do just that. Babies have a funny way of letting us know if there is anything wrong with them. Babies can also sense when we are stressed out, when we are sad, worried, happy. They can sense all of this and not be able to express one word. Miracle of life, I guess. So, I started to trust my daughter a little more and I began to leave her (for very short periods of time at first) with my husband, with my closest aunt who's like a mom to me and eventually I would take her to both her grandma's house and finally (way later; I think she had already began to walk) with her other relatives. However, to this date (and she's 10 years old) I won't let her spend the night anywhere (nor does she want to stay and I respect her decision). So, I guess it's just a matter of getting comfortable and getting to bond with your baby as time passes by.

As far as your relatives telling you how to treat your baby, it will be a bad mistake if you let it happen. The baby looks up to you (even at her young early age) for support, comfort and guidance. Please don't let anyone take that away from you. She's your baby and you are her mommy. Everyone else had their children and their own opportunity to raise them. It's your turn now.

I hope this helps you out a little. If you want, you can contact me at ____@____.com care baby, and good luck!

Sandy

I agree with what everyone else has said, she is your child and you have to protect her. That is our job as mothers. Certainly at this age she needs you and you know her wants and needs better than anyone. The only thing I would add is that you wait until you feel she is ready, it may not have to be 5 or 6. My daughter will be 3 yeas old soon and she has slept over at my sister-in-laws a couple of times. I will admit that I was weary at first, but I spent time with them together so I could see how her aunt behaves. I allowed them to spend a couple hours together or go to a birthday party alone. Also my child is very vocal. I am raising her to be independent and voice her opinions. I trust that if she did not want to go or got over there and then changed her mind she would say so. I also trust that her aunt would not keep her there if she asked to come home. So, I think you should and have every right to keep your child home with you until you feel comfortable and you know she is at a place where she can speak for herself and voice her opinions.

Haha. Me again. Saying the same thing I've said before. What you say goes!

My son is 2.5 and people want to take him so bad. My parents asked to take him to Puerto Rico!

My mother-in-law offers to take him to the mall with her and so on and so forth.

My husband is way more protective than I am. I think I'd be more lenient with people hanging out with him if it weren't for my husband. I call him the father of doom, which he hates, because he just thinks of the worst possible scenarios. His mind wanders to dark places, places I wouldn't imagine. So, I back him up and agree that my son can't have overnights without us or be taken out to the malls without us.

Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings. You're not hurting feelings you are just flexing your power and they don't like that. Times are so different now and we have to be crazy aware of our surroundings.

My husband is afraid his mom won't be aware enough and Carlo will get snatched up by someone.

Hi, I have have 3 children, and I felt the same with all three. The only person that ever watched my two oldest was my grandmother. I trusted no one else. Now that my grandmother is no longer here, I take care of my 2 year old. I work from home, so it makes it easier to stay home with her. I very rarely leave her with anyone, and if I do it's only family. There is nothing wrong with being protective of your children.