Momma Question: Leaving Your Kids
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 4:14PM 
I have a question for my sweet momma readers: How long is too long to be away from your children?
Mr. S and I are headed out of town on holiday for our sixth wedding anniversary {details to come!} and my parents are graciously watching CJ. We've done this every year since we've been married and it's arguably one of my very favorite times of year. Cuddly couple time! Squeee!
But this year, while I'm over-the-moon to get to spend time alone with my husband {we've even got a Latin grilling class on the books}, I'm feeling extra sad to leave my favorite three-foot guy behind, which seems silly considering I've left him many times before. Not to mention, CJ packed his own bag and told me he can't wait to go to "grandma's camp," where he gets spoiled x100.
So I'm curious, have you ever left your children? What was the occasion? For how long?
{Photo credit: Lawa}
Reader Comments (5)
I left my son who was 6 months at the time for eight days while my girlfriends and I did a trip to Rome. It was hard leaving him and I cired every day on skype with him, but it was worth it. I left him again for a long weekend when he was 10 months to go house hunting in our new hometown. My husband and I are doing a TWO WEEK road trip to our new house (cross-country) this summer and leaving him, no 14 months, with his grandparents. We've never done a trip together without him so it will be interesting to see how it differs from when I'm without him by myself.
I think it's really important to leave your kids no matter how old they are. A happy, rested and [sometimes] independent mother equals a happy baby.
Since I became a single mom, my dad has actually taken my son to hang out for a week at a time every couple of months. Once, he took him for almost two weeks. That was too long. For me, a week is perfect. I start to miss him, but it doesn't hurt my heart. Plus, I can still enjoy the time I get to myself.
(Also, congrats on the anniversary!)
My in-laws have kept our kids for a week during the summer and Christmas holidays since our son was a baby. Last summer they took them for 2 weeks. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer about how long is the right amount of time. Just like everything else in parenthood, it depends on your family. If he's excited and willing to go, and he's been fine for X amount of time before, then I wouldn't worry too much about him. He doesn't seem to feel abandoned or anything like that.
I'm not a mom yet, but when I was a kid my parents left my sister and I at my grandparents' homes for weeks on end every summer, and we loved it! I think it's a good opportunity for kids to bond with their grandparents and get wholly spoiled for a little while.
I wholeheartedly agree, ladies. And, Erin, I love your sentiment about building bonds with grandparents. It's so true! P.S. Roxanne, your dad sounds very sweet to swoop in to give you a break.