this thing of dumping babies and toddlers on grandparents for a weekend or a week so the parents can have some 'me' time - is it a new thing?

[myleftcrutch]

I don't remember this happening when I was young (back in the 70s). I do remember staying over with relatives or friends when I was much, much older.

But I don't remember this whole culture of leaving your baby or very yonung child with a grandparent for a weekend so you could go on a raunchy weekend away, or just leaving them overnight so you could have a night out and a lie in in the morning?

Pretty much everyone I know seems to do this - and I know this will get me flamed but it seems to be the PARENTS (note I say parents, not mothers) who work full time and see the least of their children as it is who are desperate to get away from them come the weekend.

What's that all about then, have people always done it, or is it just a sign of how we are as a society these days?

Oh do fuck off.

Nope we were dumped every Sunday without fail so the parents could play sport and then have a few pints from 1975 onwards. Unfortunately they aren't so keen to return the favor, bastards.

Jog on there's a dear

I went to my works do last night. Plenty of people asked "where is your husband? Is he babysitting?"

That does annoy me. He was at home looking after our children.

It wouldn't be considered babysitting if I was at home and he was out.

This is true, in the 70s the children would have been locked in the car, nose against the glass while the parents had a boozy lunch in the pub

Ikea is hell on earth.

In the company of a toddler, especially one you spend all week trying to avoid by going out to work I imagine it is unsufferable to the point of infantcide.

HTH

I remember fighting with my dsis and dbro over whose turn it was to sleep over at our gps' house

We loved it

I am sad for those children including my own who dont have extended family nearby

and your point is?

If the grandparents are happy with it what does it matter to anyone else?

My parents have been bloody brilliant looking after littleding while I've ben working and to be quite frank they would rather have more time with him. But it's none of my business what anyone else chooses to do.

ha! I was just going to post about being left in the car (not me mind, no car, parents teetotal)

My parents used to send each of us to GPs for a week at a time (lived somewhat distant)- so they could spend a week giving the child remaining at home some one-to-one attention, which is pretty nice if you think about it. (providing they alternated... not sent the same child the whole time )

No not a new thing, the opposite I'd think!
Was quite normal for kids to be shipped off to rellies for the holidays in the past. 6 cousins to a room.

Not new - 1984 my chicken poxed 2 year old brother and I were left with G'ma while parents went skiing.

What an odd subject OP!

I'm a SAHM and my 2 ds' stayed at their Grandparents when dh and I went out for my birthday. They had a fab time, my parents loved having them, dh and I didn't have to rush back for a babysitter and I got a much-needed night of uninterupted sleep. Everyone a winner!

No idea if it's new. It is for us, as I grew up without any family but my mum, dad and brothers but to be honest, I don't really care.

Everyone had a great time. If it doesn't suit you, don't do it. But to judge others - why .

Oneortwo, for the holidays? As in, the school holidays? Have you read what the thread is about?

Tethers - you are on form atm.

Finally an opportunity to offer my first ever

I love how the OP is just ignoring everyone's posts and carrying on her own little tangent.

I can't wait until my DDs old enough to be dumped for a full night off!

I need a bit of me time, but I'm just selfish like that :).

oh yes the halcyon 70s ... I remember spending most of my summer hols in pub gardens with a packet of crisps cos I wasnt lucky enough to have GPs nearby ...

I leave my dc with bro and SIL 3 weekends a year otherwise my marriage would suffer from lack of quality time together. That would be much worse life for my dc than "enduring" a weekend of non stop attention from a doting uncle and aunt.

I am lucky, I feel for those who don't have such family. You, op, are martyring yourself my dear and they will not thank you later.

I'm with the op on this, what's the point of having children if you're going to insist on leaving them when you feel like a night in your old life? Grow up. Don't have children if you can't take full care of them. My mother always tries to have my son overnight, and I don't allow it, he isn't her responsibility he's mine, and unlike my sister, I'm not a part time mother.

Yes, this kind of thing:

"otherwise my marriage would suffer from lack of quality time together"

Where has this come from? People didn't use to talk like that in the 70s, did they?

I went on holiday with my aunt for two weeks with my sister. Abroad and everything.

It was excellent. There was a circus holiday camp.

I've never stayed with my grandparents, but they are all a long way overseas.

yes I have read the threat thanks! my point is the school holidays are even longer than weekends so if anything kids are left less these days not more!

really what is the harm? isn't it a GOOD thing when kids are raised by a wider family rather than just a little mum and dad bubble?

So long as the GP are fit and able and most importantly, willing!

Keep up oneortwo - it's about babies and toddlers, NOT school age children.

Everybody was ugly in the 70s. Look at old reruns of Love Thy Neighbour and Porridge etc. Plus bands like Chicory Tip and Slade.

Nobody washed and casual racism like the Minstrels and Love Thy Neighbour was paramount. Plus you lot voted in Ted Heath and wore kipper ties.

So sorry if we don't respectfully kowtow to the outdated 70s views of family life. We do thing differently now. p/a

ladies can we all agree not to post on this thread and just kill it?

My parents never did it, but then my DMum is of the martyr-style of parenting .

DH and I have never really been away together (apart from the odd wedding overnighter) since DCs, but DH has been on a 'boys holiday' abroad and I have been abroad with work and on the odd girlie weekend in the UK.

I think it is a sign of the times (more money(ish), having children later, expecting more as an individual), but not a bad thing at all. My DCs are never DUMPED on anyone. If they ever are babysat by GPs its because the GPs have requested it!

OP I think you have managed to raise an interesting and valid question, and then couch it in deliberately judgey way. You are obviously desperate to provoke a reaction.