how long would you go away without your child(ren)?

[sotough]

we have one DC (just turned three) and another on the way after a long battle with recurrent miscarriage. we're thinking of a little break on our own before i get too far along to travel, not least for some special time together after everything we've been through. our hearts aren't set on it - it's just an idea. the longest we've ever been away without our DS is three nights, and that was when he was much younger so less "aware." in the last year or so we've had one night away from him. he's not clingy and is a very confident, assured little boy, but i'm not sure i'd want to leave him much more than three nights. interested in what others do/have done...?

At that age we'd leave ours for a week with my parents who were v good with ours when they were little. Any more than a week would be pushing it imo.

Congratulations .
Personally I wouldnt go without dc as we view holidays as being family time. I have nothing against it for other people though. You'll get a range of answers here from people like me to those who would go away for far longer periods of time than you would.
I do work full time though and long hours.

The longest I've left DS for was 2 weeks with my Mum when he was about 4, he was fine though.
Have only left DD for a night (again with my Mum) but me and DH are planning a few days away in November for our wedding anniversary.

Congratulations I would definately go for you and your dh to have some quality 'couple' time before your next arrival. My eldest is 2.6 and I would feel comfortable leaving him with my parents for 3/4 nights (possibly a wk - eek!) I'm sure by the time he's 3 + I would feel more confident again. I think it's a very personal decision and you wouldn't want to go for longer than you would be comfortable, as it would prob ruin your break? I'm sure if you booked somewhere fab for a wk you would all have great wk's away Have fun! I could only dream

p.s. I used to stay with gp's during holidays for 1-2 weeks at a time from a very young age. I only have fantastic exciting memories from these adventures. My younger sister was 7 yrs younger and joined me form 1yo or so and there was never a problem.

thanks for the replies. i was thinking along the lines of five nights, which would feel quite daring!

when dd was 3 she went to spain for 2 weeks with my mum and dad - she enjoyed herself so much she couldn't be torn away from having fun to speak to us on the phone!

We've shared DD between us and her father, grandparents etc since her birth, and she's absolutely fine, but I don't like being apart from her for longer than a week (she doesn't care though)

i went away fro two weeks and left them with dh - they were aged 4 and twins aged 18 mnths ish.

left the twins with an aunt and uncle for a week whilst we took ds1 to disneyland paris.

in answer to the op id say about a week

I left DD with my parents for 11 days when she was 16 months and for 8 days this summer (5.8). Other than that I have only left her for 2 or 3 nights.

Don't think of it as a holiay for you... but as a holiday for your littel one!!!

WHo will he be staying wiht

I left ds 2 with my mum for about 10 days and it felt like an age ! He was totally not bothered though and had a whale of a time running her ragged.

She however has sworn never to do it again for so long :o

The op will now tell us her neighbours 12 year old will be looking after her ds for a fortnight!

The longest i've been away is 4 nights to Dubai, ds stayed with my parents. I'd say that would he my limit really. Ds couldn't care less how long mammy and daddy go away for tho as he adores his nana and grandad and would probably live with them full time if he could

We left DD with our famillies (all on a joint holiday for our wedding) for a week while we went further along the coast for a honeymoon.

We thoroughly enjoyed it knowing she was having a great time too, and while we and she had lots of fun on our seperate holidays and were all hapy & secure with the arrangements, it was still lovely to be re-united!

I'd say go for it! I'm expecting DC2 now and am not sure anyone will be as willing to mind two children, so it may be the last chance you get for a little while.