Grandparent sleepovers

[oneuponedown]

Interested to get peoples thoughts on this.

Two DC 3 and 2 who rarely stay away from home. Have done on two occasions with my dm. Dm was wanting them to stay one night a month which I wasn't keen on but has not brought this up in a while.

Now she's asking for them to stay over the summer but one at a time. She doesn't have a problem having both if we need her too but said it will be nice for one on one time and that ' I should get used to splitting them up as it's good for them to spend time apart' she may be right but I don't like the thought of splitting them up unnecessarily at the moment- what's other peoples views on this?

It sounds like a lovely time for her and you to have one on one time with each child. Also, I believe that it’s important for children to have stayed away with someone trusted so that you have support if it’s needed.

They're 3 and 2. They do not need to get used to spending time away from each other or from you. The reason for letting your dm do this would be if you thought your children would like it. Would they?
If they go and don't like it, will your dm let you know and bring them straight back? Or might she keep them because "they've got to learn"?

Sounds completely fine. Looking after a 2 & a 3 year old is hard work, as you’ll know, especially for someone who is older and not used to the work involved in looking after a toddler. From that age, I was taking mine on holiday separately sometimes. It was great for me and them. We still take separate holidays as we have a business and farm so often one of us needs to stay home, and our dc have different interests, so it’s great to have 1 to 1 time with each of them.

Sounds fine to me. They are individual little people. One on one time with their grandparents sounds lovely.

I think for an older person two young kids are quite a handful. It seems reasonable that she is saying one at a time is better. My parents are divorced and in good health (67 and 70) and we have 2yo twins but would only expect them to take one child each at a time if they stayed over as it would be too chaotic

I think it is a great idea to give each DC some individual time, especially when they are so close in age. It gives you the same opportunity to do something fun with one child at a time.

I think it sounds nice for them to get one on one time with you and with your Mum. The downside would be that you don't get a night off. Could you do it in cycles so 3 year old goes, next time 2 year old goes then next time both then repeat.

Mine love their one on one time with MIL.
Shes away this weekend with my 22 year old DD to see a musical they’ve seen god knows how many times over the years. It’s their thing and she has a thing with all 6 kids and it’s lovely.

It also gives you one on one time with the other one. It’s win win (unless you fancied a night off)

IMO it’s important to get them used to being cared for by someone else in case you ever need this in an emergency. My friend’s husband was rushed to hospital in a very serious condition and she had never got her 2 kids used to this. It was a stressful nightmare for both her and her poor MIL.
The one at a time idea is very sweet and lets each child spend quality time with granny doing things suitable for their age and taste.

Sounds fine to me

I think this is lovely-I know a few families that do this / lovely for the kids to get one on one time with grandparents

As a granny to a lovely but energetic 2 year old, who does sometimes stay overnight, I think id struggle to look after two for that long. Im pretty shattered after just having the one 😅
So I can totally understand why your mother would prefer one at a time. Sounds like a great idea, little one gets quality time with granny that way.

Fine - but only if you want it! It would have been too little for me.

We've recently done one to one sleepovers with GC and it was lovely, although they are a bit older now 8 and 5. Definitely going to do it again

Yes, mum would only have one at a time. It gave the opportunity for one on one time for each of my kids and it helped them grow as individuals and develop their own personal special relationship with my mum.