to think that most very young children don't routinely go to their grandparents for overnight stays?

[EdnaKrabappel]

MIL was telling me about her DNiece, whose 1yo DS has "only just" been allowed to stay overnight with his grandmother. MIL was clearly amazed that the baby had been allowed to get to a year before being granted a sleepover with his GPs. Not to stay for any reason, just because the grandmother "wanted" him for the night.

I expressed mild surprise, saying I didn't think it was at all common to send very young children off to their GPs for overnight stays unless there was a particular reason eg work trips away, sleep deprivation getting too much etc. We agreed to disagree.

Is this the norm? It didn't occur to me to send DS to his GPs until it became particularly useful or necessary to me!

DD had her first sleepover at my mum's at 6 weeks.

She probably only stayed over at GP's a couple of times a year when she was very little, but she turns 8 in a couple of weeks and probably stays with one or other set 6-8 times a year now.

I think it's a very personal thing and depends on the child as well as the parents and practicalities too. My parents both lost their dads as children and had me well in their thirties by which time my grans were in their 70's and not local so sleepover were never an option.

We are really lucky to have grandparents who are willing, able and close enough to have DD overnight. They are very different characters too so she gets to have a lot of fun and different experiences with each set.

My mum and dads home is like home to DS5. He has toys, swing, slide, playhouse, books, DVds and his own bed there. He's stayed there since he was 1 month. They all love their time together.

DS first stayed at a few months old and now he is almost 7 and DD 4 they stay at my Mum's every single Friday night.
She also has them for extra nights if they wnt in school hols, over Christmas etc.
I know I'm super lucky though, MIL has barely seen the DC's this year. Could count on 1 hand she's seen them for half hour, let alone over night.

Hasn't occured to me to do this. DD is 2.7. I suppose she will at some point but right now I think she wouldn't appreciate it.

Next year, perhaps

mine stayed at the MIL from about 6months when I stopped BF

it wasn't the norm in my family, I never did it but she insisted and I was glad of the sleep tbh

my parents have them in the school holidays when they are helping with childcare but never have them 'just because' and didn't have them until they were about 5

My dd was 4 before she stayed overnight with gp's. I wasn't ready before and neither was she.

Mine never have and can't ever see them even thinking to offer really.