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Would you leave your baby in a hotel room?

197 replies

Mip · 01/02/2009 18:41

I am meant to be going skiing with my husband and his family at the end of February. We are going to a small (500 or so rooms, one lift, one staircase) hotel where we have been many times. Real family feeling, often same guests, staff etc. This time we will have our 7 month old son with us. Last year my sister in law had her 8 month old son with her and she left him in their room while we all ate in the dining room. She had a baby monitor with her and her and her husband went to check every now and again. So, now it's my turn and I really don't like the idea of leaving him in the room (apart from the fact that he'll probably be totally unsettled and I'll spend the whole of dinner in the room calming him down!). It would take only a couple of minutes to get to his room if he started crying so that's not the problem, I'm just scared that a crazed chambermaid would steal him or that there could be a fire or something. I think most guests do it at the hotel. What do you all think? Is it normal to do this or irresponsible?

OP posts:
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steviesgirl · 03/02/2009 01:45

I wouldn't personally. There is always a risk, no matter how small, of your child being snatched. Look at the McCann's.

MadamDeathstare · 03/02/2009 02:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TinySparklyWhiteFeather · 03/02/2009 02:13

I am sorry, but I just wouldn't/couldn't have left either of my DC's like that.

I wouldn't relax or enjoy myself and would personally rather be with my LO, either in their room or as earlier poster said in dining room with me.

BFing was great for situations like this as I could discretely settle LO and was master at eating one handed.

Hope you find a solution to let you enjoy your holiday though.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

MadamDeathstare · 03/02/2009 02:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

moondog · 03/02/2009 12:15

Well done Mip.
What was/is his responsew?

CoteDAzur · 03/02/2009 12:24

To OP:

Before Madeleine McCann - I wouldn't.
After Madeleine McCann - Absolutely not.

cariboo · 03/02/2009 12:34

CoteDAzur, you've voiced my opinion perfectly.

cariboo · 03/02/2009 12:40

If the McCann's tragedy could have one positive aspect, it would be as a warning to us all.

traceybath · 03/02/2009 12:40

You've definitely made the right decision or at least the decision i would have made.

Have a lovely time in london and lets hope your husband uses his 2 weeks holiday to reflect on his priorities.

Mumsnut · 03/02/2009 12:45

Good decision, MIP.

prettybird · 03/02/2009 12:50

In response to the OP, I would and have - with no worries.

But then I am known for being a baaaaad parent!

samja · 03/02/2009 12:50

nope

mrsgboring · 03/02/2009 12:59

Only read the first page, but just wish to pick up on a throwaway comment made, in the hope people see it (apologies if someone has already pointed this out). Women who lose babies do not steal other people's babies - it's a complete misconception and rather a painful one if you happen to have lost a baby.

There is a recognised psychological profile for the type of woman who may be likely to steal a baby - she is the victim of appalling abuse and lies about being pregnant to try to protect herself then has to come up with a baby or risk being murdered . Even so, it's extremely rare and comes about after the woman has exhausted a lot of other options.

threestars · 03/02/2009 14:46

MrsG, yes having lost a baby it's very difficult to even be near other people's babies. I think it's only bereaved mothers in tv dramas that steal them.

Mip, what lovely parents. Enjoy your time with them.

tootiredtothink · 03/02/2009 15:11

How did you get on telling your dh MIP?

HolyGuacamole · 03/02/2009 15:52

Well done for not going skiing!! I am so reading your posts!

Absolutely cannot believe the Oman situation. I believe your DH is a nice man like you say. However, I am inclined to believe if he was that nice, he would not be going through his own choice to Oman without you, or he would at least insist that you all go (even though that would sill be pandering to your MILs choice of commandeering your holidays). Is MIL not mentioning the hotel because she wants to ensure you don't or can't book up too? Just a thought.

MIL sounds horrendous. I for one, would never put up with someone else having that amount of say in my family life/holidays etc etc. She could have done it differently by asking "Oh it's my 60th soon and I was wondering if you all fancied coming to this lovely resort to help me celebrate?". What a selfish domineering character

YOU and your DC are your DHs family first and foremost. You don't fit in with other peoples plans - they fit in with yours and you compromise when it comes to birthdays etc etc.

Would she be offended when it comes to your DCs birthday if you say "Oh DH, me and DC are going away as a family for 2 weeks to celebrate DCs birthday" without inviting her and taking away her opportunity to celebrate your DCs birthday?

Am so and for you.

Amey · 03/02/2009 16:13

MIP,

I read your thread on Monday and thought about it a lot since. You already have of good advice re: your OP - so I won't comment on that. I'm more concerned about your marriage.... It seems to me that despite his faults you love your dh and with a baby you are probably keen to make your marriage work. But imo your dh's unhealthy attachment to your MIL is going to make things very difficult for you.

Having been in a similar situation myself, I suggest you try couples counselling. Your dh needs help to realise that his key responsibilty is now to you and your dc - not to his mum and dad. I'm guessing that you could probably do with a self-confidence boost as well.

Mip · 03/02/2009 19:18

Hello everyone!

Mrsgboring, I'm really sorry if you or anyone else was upset or offended by my remark earlier on. I was writing about the crazy, worst case scenarios I've been conjuring up and was just thinking of the TV image as Threestars says. It was meant slightly light heartedly (as in poking fun at one's darkest fears), what was not meant to be seen as light hearted was someone losing their child. I can't imagine anything more horrific than losing a child, it is something I think of pretty well non stop and I never meant to imply that losing a baby would mean you would take someone else's. So I apologise.

Everyone else, thanks v much to those who didn't see my decision and gave me more advice, all still gratefully received!

Dh did understand that it wasn't the best holiday for me or our son and that he and I wouldn't be able to spend much time together anyway. He also is terrified about something happening to our son ever since a window nearly fell on his cot, which seemed impossible beforehand, so he got my fears about the room. He then brought up Oman himself and I said how hurt and upset I was (I was shaking by the end of our talk!), how disappointed in him I was, how he was a mummy's boy and it didn't feel like we were his priorities, might have mentioned apron strings! Graduated to venting about his mother which felt good. I think he finally gets it (we've talked about it before but apparently he didn't quite understand how upset I was. Hmmm) and he feels awful which is one thing. Still going though of course! But hopefully he will be feeling so guilty the whole time, and bloody silly sharing a double room with his sister... particularly over Valentine's Day. Am hoping there'll be lots of rose petals strewn on their bed!

Amey, yes do need a confidence boost! Was getting over the fact that he's not a die for you knight in shining armour type of man but not going on a luxury holiday without me I could have expected from him! Thanks for what you said about counselling. I think, I hope, that we are ok. And I don't want to make the situation any bigger than it is. But if he doesn't make some very clear steps to improve the situation than who knows. I hope it helped for you and thank you for telling me that you were in a similar place

Holyg - she did tell me the name of the hotel in her email (looks so nice :-( ) so I don't think she was thinking of that. Though prob didn't cross her mind that her son would go against her wishes! She's always been so lovely to me which makes this so confusing. I think she thinks without me, my dh will focus on her entirely. Sounds rather grotesque and Norma Desmond but I think I'm right. Or she's just bonkers! But this will never, never happen again and I expect an amazing holiday to make up for this (though of course he has no more time off...!)

OP posts:
mrsgboring · 03/02/2009 20:34

No worries, Mip. I wasn't upset, I absolutely knew what you were getting at, but don't like to leave that sort of statement uncorrected on a public forum.

ChippingIn · 03/02/2009 20:41

LOL re all the phone calls once you'd called your Mum, sounds like my family and no amount of 'Don't tell Dad' helps!!

Anyway, have decided I am not going to go skiing. Am going to go to London and spend a week with my mum!

WELL DONE YOU!!!! I'm so, pleased I couldn't help but shout

A week there sounds like just the thing you need

Even more importantly, I'm glad you have had a good talk with your DH. However, a word from the wise (or previously shat on in anycase!), although your DH says he now understands he is still going (understandably) and not taking you and your son (not understandable, from someone who claims to understand!!). My Ex DP and I went through hell with his parents and it never changed, no matter how many conversations we had and no matter how much he NOW finally understood! It got really awful and one of the main reasons he became an Ex DP.

Anyway, I hope you have a brilliant time in London with your Mum (& Dad etc) and I hope that after 2 weeks without you, your DH realises that life without you both would be unbearable and he shapes up on standing up to your MIL!!!

When you get back, post an AIBU to have had a great time in London without my DH post so we all get an update

ChippingIn · 03/02/2009 20:43

DUH Better still.... just post on the end of this thread LOL

Mip · 03/02/2009 21:18

Thank you for posting again Mrsg.

Chippingin! Will absolutely post and tell about my fabulous husband-free London week (my father has already decided we're going for tea at Fortnum & Mason - am seriously excited about that, LOVE afternoon tea!) and all the beauty treatments I have done. Am going to wax my legs and paint my toenails red for the benefit of my soon to be taken lover. Actually scrap that, too tired for a lover, but will be awfully nice to look down and see pretty feet! Sorry about your ex-dp and that things didn't work out, though it sounds like you're much better off without him. Hope you have someone lovely now. You made me laugh though with the NOW understanding, and sadly quite right about the understanding not really seeming to change anything. He seems all happy and confident again and mentioned speaking to a company he's having trouble dealing with at work and how he'd said 'I'm going away on the 11th so it better be sorted by then!'. Good, good. Oh well, as you say hopefully he will miss me lots after all that time away and hopefully he will go shopping in Oman ;-)... mind you, perhaps only for some nice birthday jewellery for Mummy.

OP posts:
abraid · 03/02/2009 21:24

I've left sleeping babies and toddlers in small, family hotels in quiet resorts. Always with a babymonitor and checking every 20 minutes.

Mine have always been good sleepers, though, and, as I say, we were in small, family-run, hotels.

oranges · 03/02/2009 21:25

so you had a talk and the result is....he goes away on two holidays without you and you get tea with your parents (which does sound lovely but doesnt quite match up). Still think you need to insist on a proper EAster break as a family too.

PortAndLemon · 03/02/2009 22:17

Sorry, I hadn't grasped before... she is taking him and his sister away from their spouses OVER VALENTINE'S DAY???

Quite, quite barking.

In fact, if he had one more sister and you had two more DSs I would suspect that she was the mother of a friend of mine, who couldn't understand why her DS was taking his girlfriend out to dinner on Valentine's Day and not inviting her and her DH along as well.

At least you should have a nice relaxing week with your parents, but still...