Would you leave your 3yo with her grandmother for a week?

[amalur]

Please help me with a minor argument at my house. The situation is that I am going to Spain to my mum's house for two weeks in summer with my two daughters. DH doesn't come with us, this is fine, we have always done this.
By coincidence my brother has announced he's getting married one week after I come back to UK (I come back 3 Sep, he gets married on 10th). So we will need to return for a weekend there, and DH will come with us.
When the wedding was announced my mum offered to look after DD2 for that week so she doesn't have to come to UK and go back. DD2 was 3 in April, so she'll be 3.5 in Sept. I thought it was a good idea, it will save upheaval (no much money really so that's not a factor) and she will get an extra week of holiday. DD1 has to come back to go to school. DH thinks she is too young to be on her own, away from close family and she will think she's been abandoned while older daughter is preferred.
We go to my mum's very often, three times a year for a week or more at a time, so she knows the place and she likes it. She loves my mum. I think that past the initial moment of anxiety she'll be fine and that actually she'll have a really special time with her grandmother.
This is not a big argument, we are just not sure what the best thing is. What would you do?

I left both my children with my mum for two weeks. The youngest was 3. They had a wonderful time and there were no problems. If you are happy and she is happy there is no problem. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise - and some will on here.

ds1 was prone to separation anxiety so this would never have been an option for us but my feeling would be if you're sure she'll be well cared for and happy then go for it. ds2 so far seems bit more confident in that part of himself so in a couple of years I'm hoping for a week away with dh. Just got to tell my mum

Any longer than a week and I wouldn't leave my 3 year old. But, for a week, with a loving family member, assuming you know they will be very well cared for and safe, then it sounds like a good plan. As you'll have just been there, she'll feel settled in.

I think its more likely that the one who has to return for a week of school will be upset!

Are flights already booked or could you rejig dates slightly so that its a bit less than a week, if that helps DH?

I left DD1 for 5 days at my mums when she was 3, she had a really nice time. But then she didn't have a sister at the time, so no jalousy.

I would let her at your mum, she will be less tired and really well cared for. If you go back with her all the attention will be on her sister starting school anyway, so not much fun for her.
You can make her feel the special/lucky one by being careful of what you are saying to her when leaving her so that

It's personal preference. There isn't a thing on earth that could move me to spend a week away from dd. Not even David Mitchell. Naked. Clutching gingerbread. Other people do it without a second thought.

It's something only you know if you can/want to do.

Do it. I would. She will be very settled there if you have already been on holiday for 2 weeks.

She will love it.

But then i have no qualms about leaving mine if they are happy with it.

Arf at SOH and naked David Mitchell, i wander...

I would. I think she will have a great time. Surely her elder sister is more likely to be jealous at not having a longer holiday.

Thanks all for your messages, I will show them to my DH. Of course if we do leave her with my mum we will explain why and make a lot of the fact that she is having a holiday while we all come back to school or work.

Checkmate I have booked the first set of flights and still have to book the weekend flights but there is no much room for manouvre as we have to work, go to school, etc. Thanks for the suggestion though.

So long as your Mum is fit and vigilant (I'm thinking swimming pools), why not?

Do you think your DD will be happy? That is all that counts. I wouldn't send my DC for a week because it would be too long for them, but other children would be fine and I am jealous. Don't wory about anything except how your DD will be.

As others have said, it's all about personal preference and what's right for you, your DD, and your mum. Like Showofhands, nothing could prise me away from my DD (3.5yo) for more than a day or two but I know lots of people who have left their DCs far younger than that and it's been fine. It's just about what you're comfortable with.

You mum has offered, even suggested it so she is obviously happy to have some one on one quality time with a grandparent that lives abroad and who she doesn't just get to spend the night with every now and then. On a slightly different note I phoned my mum this morning and asked her if she would be happy to have dd (3) this afternoon as had no sleep with the baby last night. I asked dd if she wanted to go - resounding yes please mummy and can I stay there? At 3 they are more than capable of being alone on their own if they are happy to be, she will be with granny who will do loads with her and play all the time probably catching up on quality time, you don't have a problem with it and I expect your older dc will be a bit miffed but will get over it, so its just your dh - I expect he doesn't want 3 weeks without his dd BUT am assuming he will also be working during that week so your option is that dd will be in nursery/childcare anyway? Apart from Breakfast and bedtime what would the difference be?