How early to have my baby for a holiday?

[Mousey101]

Hi,

Im worried about giving my baby abandonment issues! He’ll be 19 months and we’ve been invited to my husbands best friends wedding in Kenya, it’s been a rough year - with no sleep and a complete loss of identity and would love to go. The minimum we could make it work would be 6 full days and night away from him.

He would be at my mother’s house which he knows and she takes wonderful care of him. But I just feel so incredibly guilty going off and having fun and leaving him at home (bringing him isn’t an option).

what are everyone’s thoughts on this? Too soon to leave him? Will it give him any permanent damage? Help.

I also don’t get why you would take him if closer but leave him when it’s so far: why not just take him?

@ChateauProvence thank you for your reply! I’m self employed and live in central London and most nurseries near us are £130 a day- after tax, etc it made financial sense to stay at home with our baby. So going back to work hasn’t been an option, we have a nanny one day a week as I occasionally do one day a week and it’s always more than I earn on that day!

And yes completely agree a trip to Kenya is expensive - but it’s all fully paid for as it’s a wedding. We just need to pay for flights and we’ve got a companion voucher.

I’ve enjoyed staying at home with him - but turns out having babies is hard! Which is why I’m anxious to leave him. But think the pros out way the cons. Thank you everyone for your replied and input!

Go go go ! You really won't be pining for him as hopefully the huge change in location , the wedding , will easily distract you. Your mother is the one person who would love and take care of your child like you would. He will have a great time. And in later years she might not be physically up for it . It is important to be able to take time away especially as SAHM to recharge and a lovely time for you and your DH to enjoy together. Have a great time .

I get it also live in London and pay through the nose for childcare - it’s tough.

@ChateauProvence hi- becuase let’s say if the wedding was in France or Italy - it’s an easy flight for him - no jet lag- routine can carry on as normal. But for Kenya- overnight flight for a 6 day trip. 5 hour time difference - disrupted routine. Mosquitos. Keeping him closer to home at his age is easier - and I think kinder on him. I actually think he would hate Kenya! 🤣