Experienced parents please advise

[Greatgoing]

We have been offered the chance of a long weekend away in Europe. We would be doing without DS, who will be five months old. Half of me would love to go, and the other half is lying in bed awake at night worrying that I will go and be a total mess. He would be cared for by reliable grandparents and in character is an easy going, generally happy chap. Please can you tell me any experiences you have? Good? ...or bad?

I don't want to go and spend the weekend in tears/ in a panic! But maybe I would be ok once I got there?

Help.

[Sidge]

I would go.

It's only a few days, he will be adored by his grandparents and no doubt have a whale of a time being the centre of attention!

And I truly believe, after 3 children and 12.5 years of marriage, that time alone as a couple, not just mum and dad, can be really beneficial. DH and I had time away when DD1 was 9 months and it did us the world of good.

Have fun

[PacificDogwood]

Go, you must go!

My 3 boys all love spending time with their grandparents without us hovering - more sweeties spoiling for them .

At 5 months he will be just fine for a few days and the Gp looking after him will love it too.

Hope you have a fabby time.

[waitingforbedtime]

If you are considering it I think you will be fine if that makes sense? Go!

[abra1d]

Very good for your baby to build up a close relationship with his grandparents.

Imagine if you had to be away suddenly/in an emergency--he'll be comfortable staying with them because you've done this before.

[colditz]

My mother used to leave me with adoring Grandmother all the time. So I am told. I remember very clearly being there, but don't remember being LEFT, as such, so it can't have been very traumatic!

[ginnny]

GO!!!
Your ds will be fine. Its only for a long weekend and you can phone for reassurance updates whenever you need to.
DP and I went away for a week when my dc were small and I was at how easy it was! I did miss them loads but I knew they were being looked after and I thoroughly enjoyed having a break from being 'Mummy'.
Just think of the lie ins, time to yourself.
Actually - I'm quite now.

[Greatgoing]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, and for the overwhelmingly positive response. I was gearing myself up for someone to say they had a disastorous time and spent the whole time weeping/on the phone. Maybe those replies are to come...!

Either way, it is reassuring to know that other people have done it and done it successfully.

It was mooted when I was pregnant and I was so excited by the idea of drink and heels and excitement I hadn't factored actual, real 'mothering' feelings...

But it is now fast approaching and I need to make the decision.

Ginny you would not be of the hideous dress I have (tentatively) bought for the trip. I have clearly lost all my taste as well as my faculties....

[mmrred]

Go. Have a practice run leaving him for one night with you close/in case (if you haven't already)DH and I always go away for a w/end in London in November, just to reconnect with who we are, as a couple. It undoubtedly makes us better parents (albeit ones that need to 'get a room' courtesy of teenage DD)and we went when DS was 8 months with no problems.

Grandparents ROCK!

[Greatgoing]

mmrred, you are right, and I know we are really lucky to have that option. Lots of my pals just don't have the gp support.

Might start (slowly) dusting down my passport...

[honeyapple]

Hiya

The only reason I never went away without my children when they were little was because I was BF and they wouldn't entertain bottles. When DD was 11mths old me and DP went away for the weekend and left her with her big bro and granny- no problems at all and DP and I had a fantastic time.

Definitely go!

[Greatgoing]

Honeyapple that is a really important point. DS is pretty much exclusively breastfed. Howver, I have expressed from week one and he has had no problems with a bottle, and has taken formula on the odd occasion I have had a night out.

Did you go far away? I think one of my worries is actually going on a plane. It seems worse.

[Tortington]

go go go

[Greatgoing]

We came back from a two hour pub break after leaving DS with one of the Grandma's the other night, leaving her to put him to bed.

We bathe him every other night. Got home a few swiftly necked booze's later to be greeted with G'ma saying ' I couldn't find a flannel so I bathed him with cotton wool pads'.

Urrrssssgghhh. I need to just trust them. God knows how long that chilly little 'bath' took.

[Cadelaide]

Go.

And stop fussing, let them do it their way.

Really, that bit's important, i think.

[Greatgoing]

Oh thanks all. Good, stern,firm words from Cadelaide, and the two weeks dom rep fest from mrsj might have just tipped me over the edge.

I may well start packing. Bad turq-warse sequinned frock, anyone?