I potentially have the opportunity to attend, with my husband, a free long weekend in Cabo San Lucas in January. It’s a work perk, and they’re debating taking spouses along. We have a daughter who will turn 1 on January 31st. I asked my husband if we could take her, but he thinks things will be a little too wild and crazy
Currently she is still breastfed, although I have no problem taking my breast pump along to maintain supply if necessary–I really only planned on breastfeeding to 1 year, so it might also be a good opportunity to begin the weaning process. At this point, though, I have a tough time imagining leaving her alone for so long. My in-laws would have no problem whatsoever caring for her, and they do a good job, but the longest I’ve ever left her at this point is about 9 hours. She’s a ridiculously easygoing baby–she’s the baby that the day care teachers to go play with on their breaks, hardly ever cries, and is generally just a happy and pleasant kid, but I don’t know how she’d react to having both of her parents gone for several days. Also, there’s the worry that if something happened, we’d both be so far away.
But man, would I love a free tropical vacation in January! Any advice?
Oh, damn, I forgot the rule about the obligatory pictures…how about an obligatory video?
Go. You’ll miss the baby way more than she’ll miss you. As long as you’re confident in your in-laws’ ability to care for her, I say go for it. You need to take time for your relationship with your hubby, and a long weekend isn’t too long to be away. Kids are adaptable, and it’s good for them to learn that sometimes Mommy and Daddy go away, but they always come back.
I think you could probably do it. See how you feel about the weaning as the time gets closer. You don’t have to, even if you decide to leave her. She’s used to bottles now and it doesn’t interfere with the breastfeeding? You might want to take the trip while she’s this young, instead of next year when she’ll be old enough to understand the passage of time.
I don’t have kids so my opinion may not weigh as much as a parent’s … but I came in to say what the 1st two posters said so eloquently.
Your kid’s overall future mental health depends in no small way on the health of your marriage, so a vacation in a tropical paradise seems like it would have long-term positive benefits in myriad ways.
Nice inlaws willing to look after kid? FREE AS IN BEER vacation to the tropics in the middle of winter? You don’t know how good you got it. Take it and run.
Provided you’re not going to be out of town on January 31st - are you kidding? Go for it!!! Grandma and Grandpa will enjoy themselves more than you will
Another vote for “go” and some sympathy. My husband and I are leaving our little girl (22 months) behind this weekend…it will be the first time I’ve been away from her for more than one night since she was born. She’ll be staying with her Grandma and Grandpa, who she adores.
I know it’s good for her, and good for us, too…but, but, but…it’s hard! What if she needs me? W’hat if she cries? What if I forget to tell Grandma some important part of her daily routine?
It’s all completely irrational, I know, but it’s how I feel. But I’ve told myself that once we get on that plane, it’s out of our hands so I’m going to do my best to just let go and enjoy the weekend to the fullest extent. I think you should, too!
Well, since this thread isn’t getting a very strong response one way or the other :)… let me say GO! It took us 11 years to get an opportunity for our first kid free getaway, and that was at least 10 years too long (we didn’t have any family locally willing to help). We got to Ceasar’s Palace in Vegas, and I casually mentioned that it was our first get away in 11 years, and a phone call later we were upgraded to a gorgeous suite overlooking the strip
It will be hard, but you can do it. I think you should do it. It’s important for parents to take some time out for themselves sometimes. Keeps you from getting too wrapped up and losing perspective. You daughter will most likely be fine, I think.
Go, but it will make the separation easier for both of you if you get a couple of practise sessions in. You wouldn’t even have to leave the house, but just not let her see you. Grandma comes over, you leave, grandma takes care of her and puts her to bed, you come home, then in the morning grandma gets her up.
Go, definitely. It may be tough at times for you* but you have to do it once for the first time and this sounds like as good an opportunity as you’ll get.
You’ll benefit from the break and there’s nothing babies like more than ‘new’ people to dote on them for a change.
I’d also say, don’t beat yourself up if you find it easier than you were expecting. You’re still a person and it’s not bad if you enjoy the time away from your mothering responsibilities.
Go. Work up to it by breastpumping some more milk and freezing it. Make a tape or video with you both cooing that the babysitters can play to your baby if she misses you. I think it will be better if the babysitters come to the baby, though; that way at least her home will be familiar.
I have 2 daughters and with the first I was overreactive to anyone watching her, with the second one…I take all the help I can get! Your baby will be fine.
If she’s been exclusively nursed, and you’re thinking about weaning, do so a few weeks beforehand or have enough breastmilk on hand for the caregiver to mix with some formula in case things don’t work out. Depending on where you are with weaning, you might want to take the pump just to relieve some pressure/maintain supply.
