Tell me about leaving your clingy toddler overnight for the first time

[Changedmyname1357]

Tomorrow night my 2.5 year old is going to stay with her grandparents for the first time. She's very clingy, especially with me, and needs a lot of "help" at bedtimes (familiar routine, various teddies/comforters, and me sitting with her while she falls asleep). She has a good relationship with GPs but I'm not sure how much she loves going there. She doesn't like being left and will often ask for us throughout the day.

We have to go away for a child-free wedding 3+ hours away at the end of the month. This is a practice run. I'm also pregnant with second baby so we really need to be able to leave her overnight.

I'm dreading it (although, honestly, I could do with the break) - I have images of a hysterical child and it being a total disaster. Any tips or words of wisdom?

Most people I know who have done this, it has been a total non issue, the child knows mum is not there and settles fine.

But just to throw it out there - you absolutely don't have to leave her if you don't want to! You don't have to go to child free weddings, and your other half can stay with her when you're in hospital having the baby.

Of course its fine to want to do it to get some space and adult time, and to want to have your partner there for the birth, but you do have other options if this feels too hard.

Good luck x

Thank you for your kind comment @confuseddotcomma, I needed to hear this!

If tomorrow night is a disaster, I think I'll just have to attend the wedding on my own and leave partner at home. I don't want to traumatise my daughter (or my parents, for that matter!) over this.

Hopefully it'll be a total non-event. She's usually beautifully behaved when she's there so fingers crossed she'll be fine. I've told her about it and my mum has promised she'll have lots of treats and be spoiled rotten. The perfect scenario is that sleepovers with the grandparents turn into something to look forward to! I can dream, I guess.