How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

DH let me go to Aruba with my best friend as a christmas present. I had such a great time. DH seemed to have done just fine with the kids. It was so nice being me again. I haven't felt like me in such a long time.

I'm a MOH and bridesmaid for two of my closest friends. They both live OOS. I need to fly to see one and take a 4 hour train to see the other. I want to go dress shopping, to the bachelorette parties, bridesmaid brunch, bridal shower, etc.

Would you miss most events if you had to be away from your kid(s) for the weekend?

Just curious how often, if ever, other moms are away from their kid(s).

Message edited 12/29/2011 9:24:46 AM.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

I don't mind the idea of going away overnight, though I've only gone places with my DH, but I would not do all those activities (times two) with two young kids at home if it involved a lot of travel. I'd pick and choose, maybe the shower for one and the bachelorette party for the other.

Since DS was born, I've gone away maybe 3-4 overnights tops.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

I have never been away from my DD even for a night. There is nothing that I want that badly to leave her, esp overnight. If we have a wedding or something like that, either someone watches her at our house or we pick her up late that night. But I am probably the extreme on this issue.

Heck I am worried about if I have another child...leaving her for those nights and those are a must. LOL

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

we left for 2 nights for our anniversary. i fought DH on it but once we were there i gave in to the second night. then my mom had her 2 nights when i had all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled, so i could recover.
otherwise we are away from 1 night maybe once a month either cause the grandparents want a night or if we have something to do.

i dont think i could ever travel out of the country yet. maybe in time, but not yet. i am very attached and i hate leaving her.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

I go visit my BF in Chicago once a year and she usually comes here once a year. When she comes to NY for a weekend we stay at my house one night and the city the other.

Before my father passed away last year my parents used to keep the kids (or at least my oldest) all the time. Around once a week or every other week (for 1 night on the weekend). My DD LOVED it and my parents loved spending quality time with her. We also took 2 week long vacations - Aruba and London.

Since my Dad died, my mom has had lots of ups and downs with her health over the last year and we will not allow her to babysit anymore. It kills her and it kills me, but I just can't take the risk. We definitely won't be going on any vacations any time soon without the kids. DH went to New Orleans in November while I stayed home and I plan on going away with my BF some time in 2012.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

DS will be 2yo in a few days. DH and I have gone to AC once for 2 nights and my parents watched him. He's slept over my parents about once a month since he was 3m old. They live less than 10mins away I dont mind him sleeping there at all.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

Aside from the 2 conferences I go to each year for 2 nights, I have only left them with my parents for 2 nights (2 separate occasions).
I know that all the GP would love to have the kids overnight, but I personally don't see the need for it at such a young age (1 & 3). Plenty of time for sleepovers when the they are older.
I am probably the extreme also. As a working Mom I feel that I get too much break from them already....

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

We go to a/c every few months for a night or two, probably 5 or 6 times since dd was born. Other than that dd spends a night at the grandparents if we have a party or plans with friends; the both live very close and would rather be at their own houses late at night than ours so we honor their wishes in exchange for free babysitting :)

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

I do not like being away from my DD but that is just me. I would always rather be with her than not. She is 3y3m and I have never gone away without her but like I said, it is just not my thing.

Edit - I am a SAHM too but I still do not ever want to leave her.........but I know I am not the norm.

Message edited 12/28/2011 11:36:31 PM.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

A few times a year.

I think its a must for my marriage to get away for even one night. The kids are cared for and happy and we have peace of mind. Half the time they don't realize we went! LOL.

we just went to mexico for 4 days and i can't wait to do it again. It was amazing and like a second honeymoon! I missed the boys a bit, but got over that quick when we returned!

I am also a SAHM. I don't know if that makes a difference. I am around my kids all day, every day. So one night every once in a while is a must for me...DH and I even get a hotel in DC just to leave our house and surroundings (it's 45 minutes away!) lol. When we get away for a night and come back the next day, it is so refreshing.

Message edited 12/28/2011 11:34:38 PM.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

I would go to everything. I hate to miss either a fun time or an important event. It sounds like your DH is like mine...totally sufficient in caring for the DC while you are not around and okay with doing it. That's awesome IMO.

When we decided to have kids, the deal was that our lives were to be altered as minimally as possible. We are very busy, social people and we (well mostly I) was having difficulty with the thought of giving up our life. We decided that DS would meld into our lives, not vice versa.

My DS is 4 months old and I have left him with DH by himself on at least 2 occasions and with my parents when we had a wedding once. I don't feel bad about it, I have fun with my friends and cherish "being me" and then I go home really excited to see my son.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

Its not an option for me....I would never leave my DD away no matter what. I would love to take them out with me on an overnight. Unless and until My DH or My Mother is taking care of my DD and the circumstances call for my urgent attention ... Only then i might think of it.....But still its not an option

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

My dh and I are planning a trip to europe this summer without my ds who will be 1. I will feel bad but we are still going.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

We haven't yet. My DD is only almost 6 months though. I am not ready to leave her overnight yet.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

If you can afford it and can be away from the kids then yes you should do it. I think it's good for you to regroup every once in awhile. It's not like all these activities are going to be back to back.

I personally would not be able to leave my children that many times overnight but that's just me. I would love to be able to but I just miss them too much.

My BF got engaged this weekend and she's getting married 2013 in Dominican. I am SOOO excited but children are not allowed This will be hard for me but I'm just going to cut the trip short so I can be there for my friend plus I think DH and I can use the time away.

Have fun...

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

DS is 14 months and have slept away from him on a couple of occasions. an out of state bach party. 2 weddings out of state.. one he was with his amazing nanny and another with my parents , I will be leaving him this weekend for a new years wedding out of state, he will stay with DH who is more than capable and LOVESSS the alone time with his son.

While its hard to do for me bc a. I always want to be with him b. I am FTWM out of house 60 hours a week c. god forbid anything to happen and i was not there or something happened to me <-- I know I shouldn't think that way but I am a 1st time mama and I think with time I will get better at it.

I am all about doing whatever feels right to you

Message edited 12/29/2011 8:23:52 AM.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

DS is almost 13m and I've only been away from him for 3 nights.
I was in an OOS wedding, so I was away from him on the night of the Bachelorette Party and then for the wedding.
The other time was just last month when I had a 30th birthday party for DH.
He stayed with my parents though, not DH. It's not that I didn't trust him, he just wasn't 100% comfy and I totally understand bc DS was only 3-4mo.

I would pick and choose the events that you go to, like a PP has already said. Maybe go to the shower for 1 wedding and the Bach for the other. Untimately, you have to do what you are comfy with!

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

We leave dd who is 19 months with our parents a lot.

We live oos so when we visit home, chances are we have something planned. Most times we stay at FIL's and they watch her for the night and get up with her in the morning, but we are there. Then when we have plans for a late night with everyone she stays at my mom's for the night.

I have gone away overnight 2 times and left her dh. 1 when she was 3 months and I flew from Utah to NY for 2 nights. and 1 I met my best friend in Greenwich Ct for 1 night for my bday. I have no problem leaving her. As long as she is with people I trust.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

We had DS (4 mos) sleep over at my ILs one night - 6 pm till about noon the next day. It was hard, but I was OK. It was only because we were getting home around midnight and MIL won't stay at our house that late, and goes to sleep around 10:30, so we would be bothering her and DS from sleeping if we picked him up that night. I used the opportunity to go to the gym before picking him up! I could only do one night at a time for now, but I'm sure once he's older I could go away for a weekend.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

I was only away from Ann overnight when I had to go to training for work in San Jose. I believe I left on a Sunday and was home Thursday. She was 10 months and my mom stayed with DH to help out.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

DD will be a year on Sunday. I have left her with my parents once in June for a wedding that was in town, but me and DH wanted to both drink and they had a shuttle bus to the hotel so we stayed overnight. Another time in August overnight when we went to AC for my bday.

I am planning on leaving DD next year in maybe April for probably a week to go on Vacation with DH and if we go then I will be leaving her in august for my 30th bday. Yes i will miss her but i have been saying my whole life i plan on going away for my 30th and stil plan on it.

Honestly i dont seei t as a big deal or a bad thing to go on vacation without your children once in a while!

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

DH and I have gone away several times. We leave the kids with my mom and I am totally comfortable doing it. In fact in April we are going to Las Vegas for 5 days and I can't wait!!! We went last year and had such a great time.

I'd be fine leaving the kids with my DH as well if I were to go away for the weekend with friends.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

Message edited 12/29/2011 9:03:27 AM.

Re: How often, if ever, do you stay overnight away from the kids?

Posted by Tina1117

If you can afford it and can be away from the kids then yes you should do it. I think it's good for you to regroup every once in awhile. It's not like all these activities are going to be back to back.

I personally would not be able to leave my children that many times overnight but that's just me. I would love to be able to but I just miss them too much.

My BF got engaged this weekend and she's getting married 2013 in Dominican. I am SOOO excited but children are not allowed This will be hard for me but I'm just going to cut the trip short so I can be there for my friend plus I think DH and I can use the time away.

Have fun...