From what age would you be okay with being away from your child(ren) for two nights?

[cindysandy]

...during which time your DH/their dad would be looking after them.

16months w DC1
14 months w DC2
for work trips.

i only trust DH, I won’t allow sleepovers until they have phones and sadly DM is not a responsible person (and wouldn’t look after them overnight anyway)

longest I have been away was 5 nights (always work)

@Parker231

Yes, what I meant is I'd be away for two nights on a work trip, while the children are staying at home with their dad, in their normal home. DH is amazing and almost equal parent. I still feel nervous about whether it could be hard on the children.

I wouldn't even question it

Didn't have the need before 8-9 months, was perfectly fine at that time. I would expect would have been fine earlier as well. DH was a SAHD so of course I didn't ever have to worry if he can manage to take care of his own children.

What?!!???!! 😱

How old are the children? Two nights in their normal environment with the other parent shouldn’t be an issue.

When I was no longer breastfeeding. Which was 18 months and 2 years, to grandparents.

DH actually looked after them alone overnight for the first time when they were 4 and 5. That was due to opportunity rather than ability.

They will be fine. If he's a good hands on dad there's absolutely no reason why they wouldn't be fine. It's perfectly normal to worry but honestly the children won't be phased at all.

Nothing to do with trusting or not trusting DH. I chose to marry and have DC with the man because I trust him implicitly and he's an equal partner. Being comfortable with that length of separation is nothing to do with that.

If I didn't trust him to parent, I'd not be with him in the first place.

Wanted to at five days but hospital insisted I stay with her rather than DH.

Actually did it at five years although could have done it a lot sooner than this as he's perfectly capable.

Weaned

I do remember my male colleagues asking who is taking care of the baby and if I'm not worried how they will manage 'alone'. Male colleagues had young children themselves and looked perplexed when I asked if they are worried how their wife will manage..

I was breastfeeding so around a year but sooner If not. I was amazed on another thread when a poster said children shouldn’t stay with their fathers overnight until 4/5. Unfortunately my ex has never had our children overnight and the oldest is 13 but that’s his choice as he’s never wanted to.

I went back to work when DT’s were six months old. Work involved trips - often long haul flight distances - on a regular basis . DT’s were happy at nursery during the day and with DH at home.

I would have left them with their Dad at a year, after I'd stopped breastfeeding them, he was used to looking after them on his own one day a week, like I was, so I would have had no worries. Can't remember when I actually did though, it was more likely to be for three nights for work.

So your mother and father were both with their children 24/7 until they could speak? Did neither of them work?

Oh and I left mine while I was still BF, just pumped while away, no problem.

IMO if you cannot trust your child's father to care for them from birth you have problems.

While I am no longer with my kids father, I have never doubted his ability as a competent parent.

Actually I've just remembered that I went away for a work conference when DC1 was six months old, which was while I was still breastfeeding. I think I'd blocked it out because the pumping situation was a nightmare and I spent the whole time panicking that I'd leak through my top in front of colleagues. But while it wasn't great for me, he was absolutely fine at home with his dad!

Whatever you, your family are comfortable. We've travelled every year and kids always had a great time with Granny. We go midweek so easier in her too

I went away with friends when dc1 was 8mo. With dc2 I think I left him with dh at a similar age, but I brought dc1 with me.

First time they both stayed with dh and I went away, they were 4yo and 7yo I think.

My eldest was over 2 and it was because I was in hospital having their sibling. And they were brought in for visiting so really wasn't away from them for long. But I honestly don't think I would have been happy to do it before then and still at 3 and a bit I wouldn't want to leave them more than 1 night.

But I have friends who let their newborns stay with grandparents - from about 6 weeks. Which is fine for them but wouldn't have been for me so its just what works for your own family and never mind what anyone else does.

I did two nights when my kids were around two (first DC) and then 16 months (second DC). I did single nights away from around a year. I breastfed them both for 2-2.5 years and co slept so very much an attachment style parent. Neither really took a bottle. Sometimes the nights were tough for DH and sometimes they were fine but it’s just a night or two so everyone survives!

Youngest is 2.5 and I’m thinking I’d like a girls holiday of a few nights once they’re both school age.

From birth. I would not have a child with a man I didn't think I could leave OUR child with while I was away.