Leaving toddler with babysitter

[mountaingirl220]

So, I'm a SAHM and my hubby and I have a wedding coming up in July. Baby will be 21 months by then. He did have a nanny when I tried working part time when he was 7 months old for a few months, but since then, I'm the only one taking care of him. So, the wedding starts at 1.30pm and then I would have to be there at least until 8pm. So baby would be with someone else for 7 1/2 hours. I'm wondering if this is too long for his first time? Also, he will be staying with a mom friend of mine, so I can get to him easily as wedding is just a 20-min walk down the road to him and then a 15-min walk from babysitter to home. We have play dates with her and her son every week and we see them at two other groups, so he knows her and trusts her. Should I just skip the ceremony bit and go to the reception from 4pm-8pm and then leave? It hurts thinking he might be crying the whole time.

I very much doubt he will be crying the whole time!
Presumably your mum friend will play with him/feed him/distract him?

If you’re worried then leave him for a few shorter times beforehand?

I would ask your babysitter to mind him a few times between now and July. Start with an hour or two then build it up to a whole day, so that he doesn't find it unusual by the time of the wedding.

Thanks for the advice. I'm just really nervous about leaving for such a long time. He knows her well, since he was 3 months old, so I hope that helps. I'm just still thinking I should just do the reception instead of the whole thing. I guess I'll just have to make a decision.

Just do the whole thing. He’s almost 2, he won’t cry the whole time with someone he knows well. There’s a rare 2 year old who cannot be bribed into smiles with a chocolate button!