Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave DCs overnight?

64 replies

CallMeExhausted · 14/07/2015 18:50

I am just checking to make sure I am not being unreasonable (more of an "if you were in my shoes" sort of question).

DD (9) is at residential camp for 10 days - dropped her off Sunday, pick her up next Wednesday.

DS (17 this weekend) and DNiece (19) are the only others here aside from DH and I. Our 10th wedding anniversary is at the end of the month, but because DD is away, he and I thought we might take the opportunity and go away overnight, leaving DS and DN home to fend for themselves.

MiL just about lost the plot when we told her. "You can't leave them unattended! What if something happens! You'll be going so far away!"

We are leaving Saturday morning, returning Sunday. We are not leaving the country, or even the province. DNiece is going into her second year of University, and lived on her own in student residence for her first year, DS is quiet, responsible, and very "by the books". It's not as if they will be lining the party guests up the moment we leave.

As well, DD is disabled and requires extensive care. She is at a specialised camp, and this is the first chance DH and I have ever had to go away on our own. We didn't take a honeymoon when we married. In all honesty, our relationship could really use this.

So, is she nuts? Would you take this opportunity for a short get away?

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 14/07/2015 18:52

I think you have big problems if you can't leave a 19 and 17 year old alone over nightGrin

Pooseyfrumpture · 14/07/2015 18:53

What does MIL think your niece does at university, all by herself?
Go and enjoy Grin

RedCurlyTots · 14/07/2015 18:53

Yes, MIL is nuts! Hmm

I'd already left home by the time I was 17. Go, enjoy your night away while you can and ignore MIL.

Buttercup27 · 14/07/2015 18:53

She is completely bonkers. Go and have a fantastic weekend

MissMogwi · 14/07/2015 18:54

I know many will follow me, but your MIL is crackers. 19 and 17!!

If I can't leave my DDs by then, then I will have done something wrong.

Go for a full weekend, just to piss her off a bit more.

Lilicat1013 · 14/07/2015 18:54

Do it definitely, if you are confident your son and niece wont throw a huge party I can't see any reason why not.

As long as you are contactable and can get back to your daughter in reasonable time if there was to be an emergency I can't see a problem.

Have a great time.

ladygracie · 14/07/2015 18:55

Could you go for longer? If you don't get the chance very often then you should make the most of it.

Melawen · 14/07/2015 18:55

Blimey- I thought you were going to say they were 8 and 10!! They'll be just fine - go and enjoy your weekend!!

popmimiboo · 14/07/2015 18:57

Get packing Grin

SerialBox · 14/07/2015 18:57

I was 16 or 17 when my parents went to America for 2 weeks. That was only 10 years ago. Go! Have fun!

HeartShapedBox · 14/07/2015 18:57

For reference, I lived alone at 17 and was married at 19.

I'm sure they'll be fine, I'm very Hmm Confused at your mil's reaction to leaving two adults home alone for one night.

IHaveBrilloHair · 14/07/2015 18:58

I left my 13yr old overnight recently.
They'll be fine.

Spartans · 14/07/2015 18:58

You can't leave a 17 and 19 year old over night? Wtf?

prepperpig · 14/07/2015 18:59

Perhaps if DMil has such an issue with it then she would like to some and babysit them whilst you're away.

Go away. Its crazy not to leave a 19 and 17 year old.

Mabelface · 14/07/2015 18:59

17 and 19 overnight of course! A 13 year old, no.

mintpoppet · 14/07/2015 19:01

Go go go!

Ilovetorrentialrain · 14/07/2015 19:02

Go! Have a lovely time.

Original poster
CallMeExhausted · 14/07/2015 19:05

I don't think MiL wants to think about what DN does on her own at university Grin

I lived on my own (and was still attending high school) at 17 as well - and it is hard not to see DS as a young man... he is 6'3"

She just can't see them as anything but children.

I'd love to go for longer (and might suggest it to DH). He is tied to work, though. At least this week isn't like last - he put in 87 hours last week. Ick! I know he'll still have to pay attention to his damnable phone while away, but it might be a stretch getting away on Friday night. Perhaps early bed Friday, early wake Saturday, and hit the road to at least get a few extra hours. He has to be back in the office by 8 Monday morning.

OP posts:
Notso · 14/07/2015 19:05

It's 17 and 19 years not months isn't it!?

I'd go BUT if it's your 17 year old birthday are you sure he won't have a party. I would have done

Flywheel · 14/07/2015 19:05

Go and have a great time. How is your dd getting on? Hope she's enjoying her camp. What a great opportunity.

fattymcfatfat · 14/07/2015 19:07

I was a mum at 17, and stayed at home with my DS (baby), and my DBs who were 15 and 7 while my mum went on holiday for two weeks. We are all still alive Wink

formerbabe · 14/07/2015 19:08

Definitely go! Actually go for a few nights...make the most of what sounds like a rare opportunity... Sounds like you deserve it.

Original poster
CallMeExhausted · 14/07/2015 19:09

And since, aside from our ultimate destination (the hotel we will be overnighting in) we are letting the wind take us where it will... and we don't have a lot of experience with actually getting away... what kinds of things do you like to do to relax?

I was thinking about stopping at a big open air antique market that is en route, but what other things do you find fun? If you throw me some ideas, I can look and see if any of them are along our trail there or back (we aren't taking the same route both ways).

OP posts:
Jollyphonics · 14/07/2015 19:10

Your MIL is being unreasonable. My Mum went abroad for 3 weeks when I was 16 and my brother was 17. She left us £100 for food, so we lived on lentils and rice, and spent the money on partying. It was a great 3 weeks!

Go and enjoy your break. I presume the people where your DD is have your and DH's mobile numbers just in case?

drudgetrudy · 14/07/2015 19:12

Of course a 19 and 17 year old can be left alone overnight.
Thirteen year-old, definitely no.