Going away without DCs - do you think it more or less settling if they are looked after at home?

[pulapula]

DH and I are having a 3 night break in a month or so. We are leaving DD (5), DS1 (3) and DS2 (16mo) in the care of my PIL who live a few miles away. They will go to nursery/school in the day, so will just be "at home" for a few hours in the morning and evening.

They have suggested they come and stay at ours as the DCs will be more settled. DD and DS1 should be fine either way as they understand what's going on, but it's DS2 i'm worried about.

We think maybe he won't miss us as much if he is at theirs?

One benefit of ours is that all their toys and things are here, and at the GPs, there is the added danger of no stairgates (although we can lend them our travel gate).

What would you do in our situation?

[upsydaisy85]

I would say have them stay at yours, the children will be happier if they have their toys at hand.

[DiscoDaisy]

When my partner and I go away the kids stay at home and the grandparents come and look after them here. It's easier to look after the kids at their own house plus they can still attend school!

[Curlybrunette]

I agree, there will be your DC's toys etc. at home so they will be more familiar and settled. It will be much easier for you PIL's at your house as the children will probably settle easier in their own beds and if they need extra clothes the wardrobes are there rather than you needing to pack tons of everything. Also you don't want them to have a really hard time and not look after the children again. I always think it is better all round to make it as easy as possible for the babysitter so you have chance to escape again in the future!!!

Where are you going? Have a great time
x

[Roo83]

When we went abroad for 4 days last December ds stayed at my parents. He loves going over there as its a novalty for him and they do lots of exciting things (going on the train, different park, into town to feed the swans etc.) However, he does have his own room there and toys, we also go to visit a few times a week so he's very settled there. He didnt seem to miss me at all, though was very excited by the presents we brought back!

[pulapula]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

On balance it seems you are saying we should have them looked after at ours. Seems sensible - I am just stressing a bit about DS2 - although he's used to going to nursery and also one of us (DH and I) being away with work, he hasn't ever gone to bed with both of us away.

But we really want a break - it's just a hotel break a couple of hours drive away so we could get home quite easily if necessary. And last time MIL babysat, she settled DS2 a few times as he was quite restless, which is a positive.