Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Flip

1 2 ··· 8 9 10 11 12 13

Original poster

To not want to leave DD aged 4 alone in a hotel room.

308 replies

Chamonix1 · 16/02/2017 17:01

Going away this weekend, DH's parents are coming and have very generously paid for me and DH to go out for a meal, they said they'd watch DD in the hotel we are all staying in so we could have some time alone. Lovely.
However they've recently announced that they are going to settle DD in our room, call their room from our room and go back to their room and listen out for dd through the phone.
This doesn't sit right with me because surely hotel staff etc could access our room, what if they don't hear dd?
I'm trying to work out if I'm being precious here or if other people agree. It is making me feel a bit uneasy. They don't want to have to sit in the room with her as they'd need to be quiet so they didn't wake her... what the verdict mumsnet?

OP posts:

SusieOwl4 · 16/02/2017 19:49

Years ago we were staying in a hotel and were advised that there was a child listening service .it was just for one night and we were only out of the room for a couple of hours having a work function. Turned out the service was a phone off the hook and reception listening. I was not happy but assured it would be fine . My dd was in a travel cot and my son in a bed. During the meal I kept checking with reception and was told everything was fine but I just could not settle . So went down to the room to check. As I went down the corridor I could hear screaming and shouting . Yes it was my children . Apparently my son thought the phone was untidy off the hook (the listening device) 😡 And had put it back on . Then got my daughter out of the travel cot. They had wreaked havoc in the room with anything they could play with , make up etc . And then probably got scared . Never again.

iwanttobemissmarple · 16/02/2017 19:50

This is why we either book a suite/interconnecting rooms dcs are 16&14

ScouseQueen · 16/02/2017 19:52

May have been mentioned already (haven't RTFT) but book sitters.co.uk. I've booked them for nights out when staying in hotels and they're very good. They will bring headphones/tablet or whatever and will come and be introduced to your child first. Tell your family you're doing this because you simply will not leave a 4 yo alone in a hotel room - quite right too. DH and I swap over and take turns to go down to the bar when we stay in hotels. Wouldn't leave kids of primary school age alone in a hotel full stop.

JonSnowsWhore · 16/02/2017 19:58

Another person here who's had the wrong key thing. Checked in, went to 'our room' opened the door & it was full of other people's things. Luckily the people weren't in the room or I would have died of embarrassment but just shows it does happen.

I think they're over thinking things about how quiet they'll have to be TBH, I can't speak for everyone on this thread but I know the way we were brought up & cousins after me etc, we'd all go to family parties, discos, go on holiday, I remember the kids sleeping on 2 chairs pushed together with a full disco going on! I can't say I have many opportunities to try that out with me own but I know they've certainly been fine if they've fallen asleep on the sofa & we've left them there while we've watched tv, talked etc, then only carried them to bed when we were going ourselves

PetalMettle · 16/02/2017 20:00

Yanbu. DH doesn't like sitting in dark rooms so we book apartments, but it's one night. And as you say totally different than in your own home when you know the room is safe and no strangers roaming

Bluefrog26 · 16/02/2017 20:02

No way. I agree it would be better to let her have a late night and stay up than be left on her on in a strange room that hotel staff would have access to.

WellyMummy · 16/02/2017 20:03

Nope, never. I've had this when I stay in a hotel and I'm not comfortable leaving them in the room unsupervised. iPads and similar technology have made my evenings sitting quietly in the dark much more interesting!

EmeraldScorn · 16/02/2017 20:06

NO you are not being "precious" or unreasonable.

The likelihood is that she would be fine and no harm would come to her but why take the risk? It's not worth it because as we all know sometimes unexpected things happen, like accidents or bizarre rarities like the case of Madeleine McCann.

If I was you I would be making the in-laws aware that under no circumstances is she to be left unattended!

Roomster101 · 16/02/2017 20:07

They must be utterly clueless to think that this is a reasonable idea. There is no way I would go along with it and now that they have suggested it I wouldn't trust them to look after my child under any circumstances. I think that the only solution now is for your dd to go with you and perhaps also your in-laws.

yeahyeahyeahmama · 16/02/2017 20:12

No way!
What idiots offering to sit if not?!??
Alarm bells ringing Madeline Mc Cann!!!!!!!
Please don't leave her!!!

ph0ebe · 16/02/2017 20:13

Is the restaurant in the hotel? I wouldn't leave her but as an alternative could you buy a video monitor?

Redglitter · 16/02/2017 20:17

if I found a child alone in a hotel room I'd b ringing social services n the police ..

Hotel staff would really do this rather than check if the parents were in the restaurant? Seems a bit excessive. By all means if they've left the hotel but that would be your first reaction? I.find that hard to believe

AlmaMartyr · 16/02/2017 20:17

To add to all previous posts - no way would I do this. Just too many risks and variables. Hardly seems like a big chore to just sit in with her and watch a film. I wouldn't trust them now either.

Iloveprettythings · 16/02/2017 20:19

I am sure it's been said but what about if there was a fire??

I can't believe some and they are considering this okay.

Whatever happens, unless you do the suggested family night in and GP go out you won't enjoy yourself probably now as you will be stressing about it all!

bunnylove99 · 16/02/2017 20:21

YANBU. I would never agree to that in a million years.

miscarryingandsad · 16/02/2017 20:24

Eh, no.

I travelled a bit with work when DS (now 4) was tiny and managed to combine it with him coming with DH. I'm not sure if it's connected or not but he's now very fond of hotels! To the point that sometimes (read, every single time) we go on holiday then the hotel room is his favourite place.

By the time a 4 year old has inspected the room, bounced on the bed, checked out the toilet, played with the lightswitch, climbed on the chairs etc etc and possibly had a bath with the toileries there isn't much quiet time, even aside from playing with toys or a tablet or whatever.

If they get room service, have some wine, and join in with Hotel Room Assault Course then they'll have a grand time.

CatsRule · 16/02/2017 20:28

I think you need to ask youself what you can live with the most. 1. your child going missing/getting hurt/choking/insert anything that could potentially happen. Or 2. upsetting stupid inlaws.

I know what I could and couldn't live with. I have a 4 yo ds and I'd never even consider doing that regardless of who I'd upset. Don't be pressured by anyone.

Original poster

Chamonix1 · 16/02/2017 20:29

Hmm, have now said they'll sit in with her. Do I take their word. I'd hope they wouldn't lie :/

OP posts:

Buxtonstill · 16/02/2017 20:30

No way. What if your child wakes, goes to the bathroom and turns on a hot tap and gets scalded, or pushes the button on the kettle and switches it on? You won't hear that until it's too late.

coconutpie · 16/02/2017 20:31

Don't be a fool OP. I wouldn't trust them now. Change your plans. A silly dinner is not worth it.

Floralnomad · 16/02/2017 20:36

Obviously only you know whether you can trust them , I wouldn't .

ScouseQueen · 16/02/2017 20:39

Do what the earlier poster suggested and say 'Tell you what, we'll bring her to your room so you can have your own things around and settle down and she can sleep there, then we'll come and carry her back when we're finished'. Whatever they say in reply, just respond with 'No, I insist, it'll be better for you'. Two can play the Being Helpful game. And as the pp said, make sure you don't give them the key to your room, then she will definitely be with them when you get back.

PetalMettle · 16/02/2017 20:44

I hadn't seen that post @scousequeen genius

IvorHughJarrs · 16/02/2017 20:46

No, I'd do like Brasty said and offer to take DD to their room and collect her later

Bedsheets4knickers · 16/02/2017 20:48

It's a no from me , even if nothing sinister happens they might fall out the bed right after one of them has checked and be sitting crying for 5/10/15 mins

Flip

1 2 ··· 8 9 10 11 12 13

Swipe left for the next trending thread