Wedding and childcare

[idontknow54789]

So my friend is getting married in June and it’s child free. My usual babysitters (DPs) have just told me they’re now on holiday then. I don’t have anyone else I could leave DS (he'll be 18 months) with. My friend has been lovely and said I could take him, her nieces who are 10 and 12 are going and said they’d love to play with him. But I will feel awful if he causes any disruption. I’m thinking I could get a babysitter at the wedding, so pay someone to take him to the park or on walks around to keep him busy. But I’m thinking this might be more stress for my friend getting married (technically will be an extra person at the wedding although I know it's not at capacity so this isn't an issue). It's in a barn not a hotel so babysitter wouldn't have anywhere to take him other than on walks. My partner would take him home in the evening (I'm thinking he could last until 8ish if he's entertained and babysitter could just stay until after the meal. I could get a babysitter at home but it's an hours drive away and either me or my partner would need to get home for bedtime so would have to leave halfway through the meal. What is best? None of my friends have children so not sure what's best!

Can your partner not just miss the wedding and stay at home with your son?

I think if the only thing babysitter can do is go for walks you may as well keep him and you or dp van take him a walk if needed. Plenty snacks and leaving at 8pm should be manageable.

If it was a hotel and babysitter could take him to room to play or to sleep I would see the point but at a barn I think you may as well entertain him yourself or take him a walk if he is upset.

Or dh puts him to bed at 7ish leaves with a babysitter at home and joins in evening celebration at 8ish?

I think a babysitter at the wedding is over complicating it. Either go with the baby as your friend has said you can (your routine will need to be a bit relaxed - go with the flow re:bedtimes etc) or just go and leave your partner at home with the baby. Those are your options really.

I took DC when they were around 18 months to a wedding and couldn't get them off the dance floor - in fact I was knackered before they were so you might find you won't need your partner to go home early at all! Of they get fussy during the ceremony just take them outside - no one will notice! X

I’d suggest your DH misses the day, puts your DS to bed, book an evening babysitter then he can come and join you for the evening. Or the bride has said it’s fine so just take your DS with you and send DH home with him when he gets cranky and it’s time for bed. Babysitter at the wedding sounds overly complicated, your DS will want to stay with you rather than going for a walk with someone he doesn’t know and you’ll still have to leave early for bedtime.