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AIBU?

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Original poster

To leave Dd alone in hotel room?

999 replies

Shelby2010 · 13/05/2012 22:40

More of a WWYD really. We are going to be staying with Dd (18mths) in a hotel next month on holiday & then overnight for a wedding in July. How safe do MNetters feel it is to leave their sleeping DC in the room with either the listening service or a normal baby monitor while eating in the hotel restaurant or attending an evening reception?

Am I being very PFB to worry about how many members of staff could access the room (especially with programable card keys)? The fact that hotels do offer a listening service suggests that many parents are ok with this. I'm torn between thinking I'm paranoid and thinking that they always tell you not to leave valuables in you room except in the safe..... Help!

OP posts:
toomuchmonthatendofthemoney · 13/05/2012 22:59

No I wouldn't. Couldn't relax anyway. No chance.

We have always done room service!

OptimisticPessimist · 13/05/2012 22:59

I wouldn't, mainly due to the risk of fire and not being able/allowed to go back in to get them.

5318008 · 13/05/2012 22:59

the thing with the baby monitor is would you really hear it over the hubbub of dining room/wedding party in full swing? I don't know, I really don't

hellymelly · 13/05/2012 22:59

I would never do this. I couldn't relax and enjoy anything,I would just want to know my baby was ok.
At my wedding my nephew was 4, and after the long day, he fell asleep next to the table at the reception.He was there, peacefully lying on some cushions, for much of the evening, until his mother took him off to the car to go to a nearby hotel where they were all staying. So maybe your dd would just crash out and snooze ? then when you are tired too you could go off to bed with her?

bogeyface · 13/05/2012 23:00

How is the McCann example very different?!

misslinnet · 13/05/2012 23:00

I would feel nervy about doing that personally.

Also, re. normal baby monitor, it may not have a big enough range to let you use it. We have an Angelcare monitor, and the units don't work once you get further than 80 -100m apart. Less if there's thick walls in the way.

GinevraMollyWeasley · 13/05/2012 23:00

I used to work at a hotel with a listening service. I remember coming to reception to hand keys back to see a guest complaining that their toddler had got up and pulled a drawer out- but because they were pretty quiet about it, the listening thing hadn't activated (only transmits to the reception when nise is heard, then they listen in). Could have been a disaster. No, no, no, get a babysitter. A local, or the hotel might provide them.

perceptionreality · 13/05/2012 23:01

No, don't do it! It's just not worth the risk. The debates about Madeleine McCann go on and on and on because of a false sense of security in leaving a child alone in what was assumed to be a secure place.

Mama1980 · 13/05/2012 23:01

I would never do this. Take turns or keep baby with you.

WorraLiberty · 13/05/2012 23:01

Stealth I read that as "then I took him a huge glass of wine back to our luxury room - it was the best bit!"

Shock No wonder he was dancing all night Grin

TheSameButDifferent · 13/05/2012 23:01

Not at that age, no. Maybe about 14.

edwinbear · 13/05/2012 23:01

A monitor in a noisy wedding reception? I'm not sure you would hear a door opening in those circumstances, with the DJ/band playing, having conversations with people, maybe having a couple of drinks? It's not the same as using a monitor at home with the TV on.

4ducks · 13/05/2012 23:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Olympia2012 · 13/05/2012 23:04

Can't believe a decent parent would even consider it!

PatriciaHolm · 13/05/2012 23:04

Madeleine Mcann was left alone, for long periods, in a quiet area in a room a good walk away from her parents with no listening service/monitor etc.

In my example, our children are asleep above our heads in a locked room with a monitor that is so sensitive that any door opening, rustling etc is noticeable.

As I said, I wouldn't use a listening service. But in a small pub with rooms, where the children are asleep above my head breathing through my monitor, I'm happy to do that.

McPhee · 13/05/2012 23:04

Not a chance

WizzyBizzy · 13/05/2012 23:04

I've done this - and in my experience it is much more common that MN views would have you believe. I think it entirely depends on the hotel and its processes. I would want to know exactly how the listening system works and what their security processes are (e.g. staff keys made inactive after use so random cleaning staff cannot get in), as well as any fire safety processes. It would depend on the layout of the hotel and the likelihood of any non-guests being able to get in, how quickly I could get back to the room, whether the access routes are visible to you. Knowing all of this, I have done this with comfort in two places - the factors that made me comfortable doing it were different and specific to each hotel. I have chosen not to do it in other places. I think I'd be less likely to do it at a wedding tbh, but it would depend on the hotel itself.

fluffypillow · 13/05/2012 23:05

OP has gone very quiet Confused

TheSecondComing · 13/05/2012 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tartyflette · 13/05/2012 23:05

Well, we HAVE done it when DS was young, with mixed results. At a lovely, posh but smallish hotel in Ireland (Ballymaloe) they had a listening service so we left him while we were downstairs having dinner. The receptionist came over to say, 'Ah sure, Mrs T your baby's roarin,' so one of us shot back upstairs (couldn't have been more than a minute or so. He was fine.) While in the US when he was quite a bit older (six or seven) we left him in bed asleep but he woke up and double-locked the door, then went back to sleep. So we couldn't get back in, and of course he was sleeping like a log by then and didn't hear the room phone ringing. We had to get the hotel manager and a maintenance man to get the door unlocked. Just saying...

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 13/05/2012 23:06

You don't really need us to tell you this is not a good idea. Take the pushchair, and then if DD is tired, pop her in there with her favourite toy and blanket to sleep.

Tangointhenight · 13/05/2012 23:06

I just couldn't do this, but its up to you how comfortable you are with it! I couldn't deal with the 'what ifs'!!

Lovelynewboots · 13/05/2012 23:06

Never done this, had a long hard think and I don't think I would. From what you have said I don't think OP is that comfortable with the idea. Mine are 9 7 and 4 and I think I would be worried even at this age. Would have to use a babysitter if possible.

ChablisLover · 13/05/2012 23:06

Nope not a chance

Ds is far too precious.

So i would either take turns to sit with yor child, agree that one parent will not be at the reception after dc goes to bed or leave dc at home

tunafortea · 13/05/2012 23:06

Oh no, definately not. What if there was a fire / an intruder / child woke with fever/vomiting and you didn't know? Any of them are unlikely but could conceivably happen too.

The risks are too great and you wouldn't relax anyway.

That poor little McCann girl didn't fare well, whatever happened to her.Sad

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