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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Overnight nursery trip?

32 replies

Pliudev · 05/06/2018 19:50

My grandson is two and a half and lives in Spain. I was talking to my son last night and he told me the nursery he attends are taking the children to a farm for an overnight stay. Am I being unreasonable to think that he's just too young? And to wonder how many helpers there will have to be for a class of under threes? My son seems quite happy with the idea but it fills me with alarm. Am I just being an overprotective granny (and if I say anything further, God forbid, an interfering MIL)?

OP posts:
coffeehasgonecoldagain · 05/06/2018 19:51

This sounds very odd unless of course it is a family trip and essentially each child is the responsibility of their family member who is with them.

Vitalogy · 05/06/2018 19:55

That'd be a no from me. I'm all for trips in general but that's too young IMHO.
Not a lot you can do though OP.

Sirzy · 05/06/2018 19:57

Sounds like a recipe for disaster!

NewYearNewMe18 · 05/06/2018 20:04

My son seems quite happy with the idea

^^ that is all you need to be concerned about

RebelRogue · 05/06/2018 20:05

Seems an odd concept to me,but as long as the parents are happy with it it's all good.

Original poster
Pliudev · 05/06/2018 20:06

Well that would make sense Coffee except his mum is very pregnant and still working and my son works shifts. I suppose I could volunteer but it would be a long round trip.

OP posts:
listsandbudgets · 05/06/2018 20:07

Blimey... if I was one of the staff I would be doing EVERYTHING possible to wriggle out of that trip

BertrandRussell · 05/06/2018 20:08

I think this is quite common in Spain. My half Spanish niece and nephew went on trips like this and week long ones when they were 5.

Leeds2 · 05/06/2018 20:10

Sounds bonkers to me, but if the parents are happy then there is nothing you can realistically do.

Gillian1980 · 05/06/2018 20:10

I have friends in France whose dd went on a nursery residential at 3. Perhaps it just us Brits who aren’t keen. I’d hate to be away from dd at that age!

Dvg · 05/06/2018 20:12

No kid that age needs to go somewhere overnight. No no no. Screams alarmbells to me

Booboostwo · 05/06/2018 20:22

Also in France and the children go on overnight stays with pre-school from 3yo. DD had a blast, the whole school went (small village school) and parents can accompany the younger ones.

Windydayz · 05/06/2018 20:24

Nope. I'd want to go with them.

Mummyoflittledragon · 05/06/2018 20:25

Crikey. That’s young. Dd wouldn’t have been ok with that at all. She used to cry her eyes out when I went out and left her with dh even up to about age 7. Hated being left at nursery. She was only just about ready by the end of yr2 when they had a one night sleepover at school.

halfwitpicker · 05/06/2018 20:27

Are they mad in Spain or what

BottleOfJameson · 05/06/2018 20:27

They do the same in a few other European countries. My friend's child was meant to go and the teacher was appalled at the idea of keeping him back she thought it was a vital bonding experience. I think it was culturally normal for kids to be in daycare from 3 months.

I agree though - would be fine for some kids and absolutely horrible for others. I think it's a nice thing to do when they're older and more independent. There's just no need for it at that age.

BertrandRussell · 05/06/2018 20:27

I was horrified when my niece and nephew went on these trips. My brother and sis thought I was quite mad, and were very “told you so”ish when mine found it very hard to go on their year 6 residentials.......

BottleOfJameson · 05/06/2018 20:28

*Sorry forgot to say most kids were in daycare full time from 3 months and were expected to be very independent from parents, it was less common to see cuddles when they fell down etc.

Pastaagain78 · 05/06/2018 20:30

Sounds bonkers but if it is part of the culture and DGSs parents are happy with it don’t offer opinion.

sonjadog · 05/06/2018 20:30

Different culture. As long as his parents are fine with it, then you have nothing to worry about.

arbrighton · 05/06/2018 20:30

If your son and DIL are happy with this, then as his parents, that's their choice.

You are NOT his parent

BertrandRussell · 05/06/2018 20:35

The OP is entitled to be concerned. Grandparents are allowed to have worries and opinions-and are allowed to get out of their boxes occasionally you know!

Muddlingalongalone · 05/06/2018 20:38

When they showed the programme about Scandanavian childcare yonks ago it said they did a sleepover once per month to give the parents a break. Bloody brilliant idea I say - especially in a familiar environment although dd's key worker looked horrified When I suggested it 😂😂😂 - not sure about the farm bit but probably just a me thing.

arbrighton · 05/06/2018 20:40

Oh I know they're allowed to worry but that's not the same as considering going to another country to volunteer when it's not even clear if volunteers are required

incywincybitofa · 05/06/2018 20:45

I think if you'd be happy for your GS to spend a night with you or another relative or friend, then you could grasp the concept better.
They aren't feeding them to wolves they will be there for them.
Overnight care isn't as unusual in some parts of Europe as it is here so a lot of the children may well be used to being away from home for a night by that age, and first thing in the morning on a farm is probably the best part of the day

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