What age did you let family take your child out?

[Whathefisgoingon]

DS will be 3 soon and so far he has never been on days out with anyone without either myself or DP.

He does go to nursery 3 times a week so has time away from us too.

Grandparents and aunties/uncles are keen to take him on days out by themselves to “give us a break” and I’m sure spend some quality time, but until now I’ve resisted.

What age did you start this?

Why are you resisting out of interest? My mil started doing this when I went back to work when DD was a year as she would help on the odd day that was needed and then continued every so often; if it’s somewhere like the zoo or something that I want to experience with DD I’ll always say I’ll go but not for a standard day out

Honestly? I can’t remember, which means they were very young and it never felt like an issue to me. I’m fairly certain DD stayed at an aunts for a few days before she was 2…

Is there something particular holding you back from saying yes?

I would also be interested to know why you are resistant - you allow your son to go to nursery so I wonder if there is something about family that makes you hesitate? I have never allowed my inlaws to take my children out or have them alone for a bunch of reasons. But my own mum looks after them on her own frequently because I trust her care for them. For me the question is whether you wholeheartedly trust them?

As soon as it was offered and doable! Covid and geography prevented it til she was around 3. It rarely happens but I’m enormously grateful when it does: she and I both benefit.

Depends what your family are like. I'm assuming that there are people in your family who you think might not be suitable caregivers for the day ? Do they disagree with your parenting style ?

Why are you resisting? My DD is 3 and she hasn't had a day out with anyone else either. So curious if your reasons are the same!

Six Weeks old with my first, little longer with my second.

A few months old I think - initially just for a few hours, but built up to overnights around 8-9months of age for both DC.
PIL looked after both DC when back to work twice a week & have had them for overnights when we've been out etc.
DC love spending time there & have a great relationship with their GPs.
Why are you hesitating?

My mother had my first for a few hours in the day at a few weeks old, and overnight at 8 weeks. MIL too.

My brother was babysitting and taking her out in the pram etc at a few months. Unknown but recommended babysitter looked after her at 12 weeks.

I never had any concerns about family members looking after them, but obviously just because it worked for me doesn't mean it's right for you.

Trips out got longer as the urgent need for milk diminished. (Neither accepted bottles)

I remember 1yo being slightly peeved she wasn't allowed to stay with elder sister and cousin overnight t seaside with the grandparents (I took her for the day)

We took our nephew out when he was 2

For a couple of hours by 12 weeks. When I stopped BF (around 16 months) for longer. Over night by 2.

Erhmmmm...never? Mine is just a little older than yours and I am looking forward to that, knowing I have no idea when he/I will feel ready.
My situation is probably a little different than most:

• we don't have family in this country
• DS had some serious health complications when he was born, meaning it would have been difficult to care for him by others
• since he started to walk he's been super active, not listening much, very excited, running away,...you name it. You can't literally take your eyes off him for a split second as he's so quick!
• he has severe food allergies (that are not understood by our immediate family) and needs epipens/emergency plan in place
• grandparents are elderly, can't keep up physically with caring for him. We are a small family and there aren't many other options

We had each of our GD for the day from 10 weeks old. MY DC went to my mother from 3 months and often stayed overnight.

6 months.

Both sets of grandparents provided childcare for my first son from 9 months when I had to return to work. So 9 months.

Much younger than 3.

My in laws take DD2 out for walks to a coffee shop and have done for a few months and she's 6 months old. She's exclusively breastfed so that limits the time they can take her at the moment.
They've just taken DD1 (3.5) away for 2 nights to visit MIL's parents.

No one has offered so am struggling to sympathise but why not start with an hour or two at a local playground/soft play rather than a full day?

I looked after DGD 2 days a week, from when she was about 11 months. DDIL’s maternity leave ended and she went back part time. Anything from 8 am to 6 pm, depending on her hours. We started taking DGD out for a Saturday afternoon from when she could walk. We had both DGC for the weekend a couple of months ago, after DGS had been weaned off bf - DGD is 4 and DGS is 2.

Hmm, a couple of hours at 7 months I think (I remember my vindication that my mum also struggled to get DS to take a bottle!) Out for a day trip at 2, but COVID likely interfered with those timelines. Now DS is 3 and I'm happy with my parents taking him wherever they fancy because they live round the corner and see him frequently. MIL sees him a few times a year and I'd be happy for her to look after him locally, but more concerned about a day trip where she might not be able to handle it if he kicked off, or he suddenly got distressed because no one he really knew was near.

1? That was when I went back to work and she went to my mum to be cared for 2 days a week. They went on outings all the time!

At 4 & 2 years we left them with grandparents- 2 days each set, so we could go on holiday. All thrived, though tired. Before that, as soon as the grandparents were comfortable. We like and trust our parents.

From about 6 weeks old. But my family are nice normal people and I was more than happy to let them share the delight of a new baby.

My parents looked after dd overnight when she was 6 months old, I don't know if they took her out, probably. I trust my mum more than myself!