How old were your kids the first time you were away overnight?

[weeirishlass]

H and I would *really* like to get a babymoon in before this baby comes along. We have a free place to stay, in FL, on the beach, and dd would be with my parents (whom she ADORES). She'll be about 2 if we go when planned (cold, cold PA winter to sunny, sunny FL....). She does still nurse once a day (before bed), but has skipped that session if I'm out, etc. So just wondering how old others kids were before they left them overnight. I have friends who left the babes at 6 weeks, and here I am freaking out about a 2 year old!

ETA another question: Was your babe weaned when you left them? Sleeping through the night? Consistently? (dd usually does, but not always, and I'm a bit anxious about her waking with no num-nums nearby...)

[greeny]

We left dd overnight with my parents when she was 19.5 months old because I was giving birth to ds.

This past summer, we were going to leave the kids with dh's parents while we went away overnight, but we realized that ds wouldn't have been happy with that, so we cancelled our trip. (He'll be 3 in November.) We were staying with the inlaws on vacation, and while he loved being there, I just knew that overnight would be too much for him.

[artemis80]

We left ds overnight with grandparents just this last weekend. He did great!!

[2Sweeties1Angel]

The twins were about a little over a month old the first time I left them overnight. *However* there were extenuating circumstances. My mom was watching them while I worked and we ended up having a bad snowstorm that made it dangerous for me to pick them up and drive home with them. They were FF so it wasn't *that* big of a deal. DD1 was BF and I didn't leave her overnight until she was over a year. DD2 is BF, 7 mos, and I still haven't left her overnight.

[karina5]

I think he was about 10 months old and stayed w/ my mom. He did great. He just stayed at my SIL's this past weekend so we could have a much-needed night away.

He's 2 and has been away overnight a total of about 4-5 times. He always does very well!!!

[Lovenest]

My son just turned 5 and has never spent the night with anyone. He has at most spent like 4 hours away from DH and I.

I would do what you think is best for your family.

[BabyBugsMom]

It's been different with each of our children. Well, okay, the twins had the same experience...

Our dd was 10 months old, weaned (I was pregnant with twins at the time), and sleeping through the night. It was an emergency situation, though, and not at all planned--dh's dad had a severe stroke, and we spent two nights at the hospital before we knew that he was going to survive. Dd stayed at my parents' home, and was a bit clingy for a day or two afterwards, but recovered nicely.

The next time she was left was at 13.5 months, when I was in the hospital after delivering my twins. She stayed with my parents for the five days/four nights I was in the hospital--dh stayed overnight at the hospital, too. It was harder for her after this extended stay, but a lot of that is probably because of the huge upheaval in her little life, going from being an only to having twin baby (preemie, high-need) brothers.

Our twins were about 13 months, weaned and sleeping through the night when dh and I left them for three days/two nights for an anniversary weekend. They stayed with my parents, and didn't have any problems at all.

3.5yods wasn't left until he was 18 months, when our little guy was born--weaned, sleeping through the night. I spent two nights/one day in the hospital, and he was fine when I came home.

Our little guy hasn't ever had me away overnight, and probably won't until I deliver our newest edition, when he will be 2 years, 3 months. He's fully weaned and sleeps through the night, and I don't anticipate any problems.

[sunnmama]

My dd was almost 6 when ds was born, and had to stay alone with MIL for the night that I was in the hospital. She still wasn't ready, and it was pretty traumatic for her.

I'm sure she'll be ready someday....but that day hasn't come yet!

[karina5]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

My dd was almost 6 when ds was born, and had to stay alone with MIL for the night that I was in the hospital. She still wasn't ready, and it was pretty traumatic for her.

I'm sure she'll be ready someday....but that day hasn't come yet!

Just out of curiosity, how was it traumatic? Was she not used to MIL? I know each child is different of course, but IRL I don't know of any child that has been traumatized by being w/ loved ones when they are 5 or 6. I truly am just trying to understand.....

[Peony]

On DD1's 4th B-Day she decided she wanted to have a sleepover at Auntie's, that was the first time she had slept the night away. I was more nervous then she was. She did great and now frequently requests sleepovers with my mom.

[alegna]

I voted over 2.5 because dd is 3 and still nowhere near ready.

-Angela

[mamajama]

between 12 and 18 months.
The first time my older son did an overnight, he wasn't weaned yet. He did fine and was with my loving friends. I'm a single parent and my kids have done overnights with their dad since they were quite young. Only a few times before weaning though. It was really uncomfortable for me getting all engorged!

My kids are both really used to having sleepovers at friends houses and with grandparents, going camping, traveling etc. They're 4 and 7.

[ChattyCat]

We left ds overnight the first time when he was 19 months old to attend a friend's wedding, when I was a few months pg.

Dd is 16 months, and I can't see leaving her anytime soon though. I would really like a night off.

[rabrog]

My DD's 3.5yo and we've never been apart overnight.

Jenn

[katheek77]

DD was 4.5 months. She does quite well on overnights. I pump, so, she was taking bottles. She's always been very outgoing and adaptable.

Truly depends on the child. I always did great on overnights (I went to Michigan w/just my grandmother for two weeks when I was just turned 3). My sister didn't stay overnight even once with grandma until she was more than 4 (I'm not sure how old exactly). Gram lived literally 5 minutes away.

[mudmama]

I haven't left my children overnight ever. Although I'm sure my dd6 could handle it, my ds2 would cry all night long. Guess I've never had the oppurtunity yet.

[l_olive]

I voted "over 2.5" since my son is 4.5 and has never been left with anyone other than me overnight. Heck, he just had his first babysitter two nights ago!!

He's been asked several times if he'd like to sleep over at his cousins' sometime, and he always answers "not yet." When he says he's ready, he'll be welcome to, but not until then.

[cebmom97]

All of my kids were around the 2-2 1/2 year mark the first time I left them overnight. With my older two it was when I was giving birth.

I would just follow your instincts and do what feels best for your family.

[Maeve]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

My dd was almost 6 when ds was born, and had to stay alone with MIL for the night that I was in the hospital. She still wasn't ready, and it was pretty traumatic for her.

I'm sure she'll be ready someday....but that day hasn't come yet!

My oldest was almost 5 when my youngest was born. We met my il's at the hospital about 3 or 4 in the morning and she spent the rest of the night there, then stayed for our baby shower that was planned for that day.
It was her first almost overnight visit with her grandparents (who she loves) but it was very hard on her. She still talks about it (and she's 9!) and how much she hated it and she cried and missed us. She's done overnight visits since then, but not starting until she was older.
My youngest just turned 5 and hasn't been away from us overnight. She's just not ready and I'm not going to force her.

But every child is different. You have to do what's best for your family.

[intorainbowz]

It actually was about 4 days old because DD was in the NICU. After her discharge, she and I have never been apart over night.

I'm currently debating leaving her with my mother for a weekend in October. She will be 20 months then.