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Parenting

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Original poster

Is it bad to leave 3YO and 5YO for 3 nights?

23 replies

maria2bela1 · 28/12/2023 11:51

Hubby and I are considering doing a 3 day trip before the arrival of our new baby. We just recently took the kids on holiday to spend some time with them before baby arrives, but would love to do a quick trip for ourselves. We have 2 very entrusted members of family perfectly responsible to look after them, but I can't help but feel incredibly selfish if we were to go. It's almost like the guilt will ruin the holiday. Are they too young?

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BarnabyJude · 28/12/2023 11:55

Absolutely go for it! You deserve a break together, to have fun and take time for yourselves as a couple before the craziness of a new baby hits. Your children will have a great time with your family member. Feel no guilt! Have a ball! 🎉

AuntieMarys · 28/12/2023 11:56

Do it!!

mycatsanutter · 28/12/2023 11:59

Go for it !

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FrenchandSaunders · 28/12/2023 12:02

Do it. Will be good for everyone!

nc321152 · 28/12/2023 14:03

Do it! You'll feel refreshed and they'll probably have a great time with relatives. Everyone wins!

SuitYouSir · 28/12/2023 14:05

When my brother and I were that age my parents left us with granny and grandad and swanned off to California! Brought us back toys from DisneyLand though so all was good 😂 and we had a great time with the grandparents.

Wolfiefan · 28/12/2023 14:06

Alone? Definitely not!
Looked after by trusted adults who are also family? Why ever not!!
Have a great time.

VivaVivaa · 28/12/2023 14:06

As long as the kids are familiar and happy with the family members then I would go without hesitation!

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 28/12/2023 14:07

Depends on lots of stuff imo. Do they go to bed and sleep well? Or do they need you in the night.

Our first child hated is being away. Our second is ok

SouthLondonMum22 · 28/12/2023 14:08

Of course it isn't bad. Spending time on your marriage is important.

Chocolatelover888 · 28/12/2023 19:21

Absolutely go :) we had a two night trip for a wedding when our kids were that age and I didn’t think twice and they had a fab time with their grandparents! Did 2 nights for my 30th when my DS was 6 months old also. It’s good for your marriage and I think it’s great for your kids to see you having time away with your husband, it’s a great lesson for them :) not to mention it’s good for them to spend time with other members of your family.

Hopingforholidayhelp · 28/12/2023 19:33

Hmmm 5 year old maybe …
3 year old,
no. Too little to grasp the amount of time and if I had to I think one night in a nice local hotel would be the happy medium

Caspianberg · 28/12/2023 19:36

Depends on child. My 3 year old hasn’t ever been left overnight, so I wouldn’t leave him 3 nights before trying 1 night first.

bumbledeedum · 28/12/2023 21:10

I am normally very much in the not leaving small children camp compared to a lot of people but at 3 & 5 with a family member 100% go for it! Especially when you have another one on the way and you're going to be much more tied for a while. Enjoy!

Nix99 · 28/12/2023 21:16

Me and my husband went away for a mini break when DD was 26 months for our anniversary (I was also 5 months pregnant) and she had the best time with the in laws and then my parents, almost like a little holiday for her too.

PurpleBugz · 28/12/2023 22:01

Have they done overnights with these family members before? If the answer is yes then absolutely go for it. Even if it's no I'd say you can still go for a night. Depending how long you have till baby arrives you could build it up do one night then two then 3 but you probably don't have the time now

SparkleyMud · 28/12/2023 22:03

Definitely not too young. Go for it guilt free.

It will benefit the family as it will make you feel good!

Simonjt · 28/12/2023 22:06

Its fine with someone they know well. We’re going away for three nights (first time since being parents we’ve both been away for so long, and our oldest is eight!), they’ll be in our home with their grandma and uncle, they’ll be fine and likely prefer three days with them to three days with us.

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 28/12/2023 22:08

I think it depends what they're used to. I've had my DGC for overnight sleeps since they were as young as three months and I also do weekly childcare for them. The youngest is nearly two now and would absolutely fine to be left for three nights. However, I wouldn't do it if it was the first time they'd been left.

PeekABoo22 · 28/12/2023 22:14

Absolutely go for it!! So important to have time alone with your other half

mrsfollowill · 28/12/2023 22:24

We were lucky in that MIL & Fil and my mum all had very strong bonds to our DS- they were always here helping out and he got used to having sleepovers at theirs from age 3ish (in the case of my mum a five min walk away!)
I could rely on either to pick him up from school or have him overnight- all of them happy as Larry. He was always spoilt rotten and waited on hand and foot.
It meant DH and I could have overnights away (maybe 3 x year) and never have to worry.
Longest we have ever left him is two nights but he would have been happy with 2 weeks I'm sure! If you know they will be looked after and loved and happy then go for it!

Nutellaonall · 28/12/2023 22:26

Honestly. I wouldn’t be able to leave them for that long without their own father with them. I think two nights max if it is both of you.

Wooloohooloo · 28/12/2023 22:57

Depends on the kids and whether they're used to being away from you overnight/with the family members. My eldest was very easy going- would've rehomed with any stranger who offered him sweets and I often left him overnight with relatives and went to a few multi-day festivals. Howeved my youngest is quite a sensitive anxious kid who's never spent a night away from me or her dad, despite being very close to her grandparents and other relatives.

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