My husband and I have a great opportunity to go on a vacation with a small group of friends, adults only. We have left our son before but only for a night. The trip would be for 4 nights/5 days. Our son will be 1 1/2 years old and would stay with my parents who live down the street from us. He has seen his grandparents every day of his life and they babysit him 3 days a week while I work. I am having anxiety about leaving him, do you think he is too young to be away from for that long?
Thank you to everyone for your very helpful responses. Today, I booked the trip! I was probably going to go because I knew it was important to my husband, but now I will go without all the guilt I was feeling! I feel so much better about the trip now.
Not unless you are breastfeeding!!
(in which case, just lug along a good breastpump!)
Girlfriend, GO!!!!!!!!!!!! And have a good time!!!
I wish I was joining you :)
That's a hard one. The good thing is, if it does upset him, he won't remember it as he grows up.
I think that since your parents are in his life all the time, it may be okay for him.
I have a 21 month old and I can do it. Both grandma's are not super willing to help so I'd have to force them to take her. If I had great grandparents for her, I'd take the trip though. It could be difficult but it is probably a much needed trip for you. Time away can be a good thing.
No, he'll be fine. You should go have a good time and know that he is in good hands with your parents. Maybe leave one of your shirts with your smell on it if you think he'll like that.
Hi
it's good to hear you are booked and taking the opportunity!
your baby will be just fine! Sadly enough it is you and hubby that will "suffer" the most! your baby truthfully will hardly miss you and be enjoying that getting extra spoiled time with the grandparents! Yeah when you return he will be happy and loving with you but when you are gone they don't mind as much as we want to think they will (big smiles)!
I didn't notice how long you have BEFORE you leave, but to help with YOUR seperation axiety, maybe talk to mom and have baby spend a nite here and there with her before you leave, you will see things go smooth every time!
And not to scare you but be sure you leave the babys medical info, hospital card etc and a NOTE with mom in case baby needs anything (not meant to scare you just something needed that many would forget)
my mom took my daughter plenty when she was young, sometimes it was a reversal, where she was going somewhere and i couldnt go on a trip etc so she took my daughter so both had a great time and other famly got to see my kid whereas they wouldnt have been able to had i kept her home! and as she grew a little more, she spent a week at my sisters each summer(who was an hour or so away) and usually a week with mom (mom was 20 min away but still she was gone)
as a teen i opted to go on an extended business trip and she stayed 6 WEEKS with grandma and because all the other times shes been with grandma and not me, it was a special treat and like a holiday for her! of course i missed her and called like crazy to which she would say mom dont worry i am ok and having fun at grammas!
have a great trip!
I think it is a great idea. My husband & I had our first vacation EVER on a cruise for 4 days while my daughter was 2 and 1/2. The first night was hard for her but it got easier as the days went on. Both set of grandparents watched her who she saw on a regular basis. She did good & she was so excited to see me when I got home. That was comforting. I would say to go for it. It is an expereince you can't regret.
All I have to say is ENJOY!!!! Yes, this will be a little scary for you but he is with a) someone you trust, but most important b) someone HE trusts! He is comfortable with your parents and that is what is important. My husband and I left our son with my mother at the age of 15 months when we went on our honeymoon, so I understand. However, you will have the satisfaction of reconnecting with your husband on a "couples" level again. You will find that when you come home you will appreciaite being a mommy again. We tend to forget the joy of being mommies when we don't take some time for ourselves. So please, don't waste time contemplating if you shoud go or not...just go pack girl!!!
J.
Hi M., I say you should go for it, you and your husband deserve to have quality time for yourselves.and your son already knows grandma. she raised you, I think she will do a good job with him. call whenever you feel you need to.and its great for your son to have that bond with grandma as well. go enjoy yourself,you need to keep the relationship close with your husband as well.when we become parents we tend to slide a little with our spouses.goooooo.have fun~L.~
Oh Honey,
Are you kidding.... Take this chance and run with it! I promise you will thank yourself later!!! Im sure your son will be just fine with grandma... And you and your husband will be greatful for the time you get to spend alone together! Which im sure right now is not something that you often get right?! You will come back rested and refreshed and thankful that you took some time for yourselfs! You might NEVER get a chance like this again, and if you do it may be a very long time! GO and have TONS of Fun M.!!! -M.
Hi M.,
I don't think that your son is to young at all. It would probably do you and your husband good to get away for a couple of nights....parents need that every once in awhile. =)
You can always call once a day to check on him or twice if you need to!
How does your husband feel about leaving him for a couple of nights?
No! You deserve to go and have some fun! It sounds like he'll be just fine!
M. go for it! Spend that time with your husband. My husband and I have NEVER had the privilege of being able to leave our son with grandma and go away alone, even though she lives in the same town we do. There are reasons why, but we won't go into that here.
The sad thing is, because of it, we are now experiencing SEVERE marital issues. I'm not saying that you will if you don't go, but in our case, we have not been able to have any adult time together since our son was born 8 years ago and now we are paying for it. Between our son being so sickly and everything else involved, it has had a profound effect on us.
Go have fun. You will be so glad you did.
Nope! He will be fine! I've left my son with my parents for 5 nights before when he was around that age and in a month We are going on our Honeymoon for 7 nights and he is staying with my mom and dad. I know how you feel but sometimes you have to do something for yourself and your relationship with your husband. Your baby will be a much happier baby if his parents are in love and happy. Do this for yourself, and just call your mom everyday and have her put your son on the phone to say Hi. Trust me, this is a vacation for him too. Babies need Grandparents in their lives which I am sure you already know. You will miss him but focus on your intimate relationship with your husband and enjoy your time with him. You deserve it and your parents deserve to have special time with their grand son. Have a good time.
