Pathetic, I know - am just about to take ds for his first overnighter at his dad's house and am dreading it...

[snafu]

What if he wakes up in the night and I'm not there? Oh goooooooood.

He's 2.5 and he sees his dad several times a week. He's quite used to being at his dad's place but has never been with him overnight - in fact he's never been with anyone but me overnight. I am really feeling so weird about this.

I want him to go and enjoy it because a) his dad really wants to spend more time with him and I am quite happy for overnighters in theory and b) it's good for me on a practical level because then I can do on-call and nightshifts and c) I haven't had a single night to myself since he was born but hell, I am really finding this hard... He's not a great sleeper and I just hate the thought of him waking and, gulp, I'm not there....

Tell me it'll be okay - and to get a grip

It'll be okay.

Totally understandable to be worried, i am everytime dd stays over at grandparents, despite the fact she has stayed there before and there is never a problem. She is 3 btw.

Enjoy the peace!!

snafu he will be okay like hattie says enjoy the peace

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He'll be OK - and tomorrow morning when you've had a lie-in, you'll feel great!

It's very hard the first time, but if he does wake up in the middle of the night, his dad will deal with it. Have you discussed with him what he'll do (one of the options should not be to phone you, btw!)?

Once he's done it a couple of times, he'll be used to it.

Try to think of the benefits to him of having this extra dimension of depth to his relationship with his dad - if you are not there, he WILL feel comfort from his Dad's presence and it will deepen their bond - something that as he gets older, will I'm sure be very valuable to him. I know you'll still feel weird though but don't feel bad!

Thanks for not laughing at me . House feels very strange! I should have made arrangements to go out as I'm sure I shall now spend the night worrying. Ridiculous, isn't it?

I'm sure his dad will deal fine with the waking - because it will be a miracle if ds sleeps through! I've said I am not answering any phone calls except in dire emergencies.

Right, large glass of wine, hot bath and the dawning realisation that ds will not be scarred for life if he has to do without me for one night !

Snafu, he'll be fine, honestly. And you'll get used to it I bet and start, eventually, enjoying the nights to yourself. My ds is now 8 and has spent every other weekend with his father since he was 2.5 (when we separated, we were married before that and lived together), it's lovely for both of them. And now dh2 and I have dd we don't get weekends alone like we used to and I sometimes miss it.

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