https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:41:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2752377 Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:54:04 +0000 lamariniere 2752377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: That's great that she's a rule-follower, I hope it goes well! We also decided to use grandparent care, for two weeks! It's actually working out really well because we are having some major daycare issues (I'm going to pull E out) and we might have another major change on the horizon soon, so it will give the kids some quality time with their grandparents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2752376 Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:50:09 +0000 LuLu Mom 2752376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It hasn't happened yet, but I would totally be okay with this if my parents or in-laws offered. My fondest memories are spending a week at a time at my grandparents farm in the summer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2752372 Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:33:58 +0000 mediagirl 2752372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: we are officially doing it. We are pulling our LO out of daycare for the month of August and need a week of Grandparent care so....yeah. I'm worried so I'm implementing rules like "no going in the ocean without an adult standing next to you and you must wear floaties at all times" (even though she never wears floaties anymore around us). . She remembers rules better than her grandparents so, we are going to be drilling them into her for weeks in advance. </p> <p>Have you made a decision? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2746295 Mon, 12 Jun 2017 11:16:02 +0000 MarieJ 2746295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>no, but I would let them go with my parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2746074 Sun, 11 Jun 2017 12:38:03 +0000 Corduroy 2746074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We left DD with my parents for a week at 18 mo and with ILs at 2.5 yo when DS was a newborn. No regrets. We're all about Camp Grandma and Grandpa. I look forward to DS being more self sufficient so he can go too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2746071 Sun, 11 Jun 2017 11:43:16 +0000 Silva 2746071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents took my daughter when she was 3.5 for 3 nights. At age 5 I'd do a week. They are awesome with her and probably more attentive than I am. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2745951 Sat, 10 Jun 2017 12:41:28 +0000 hitchhiker 2745951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! LO1 went to my parent's for a week for the first time when she was 3.5. There were challenging moments, but overall it was great for everyone. She's going again this summer at 4.5. She will start going to my husband's parents by herself next summer (she doesn't see them as often so is not as comfortable with them). Everyone is a plane ride away, so it takes some $ and time, but I think it's important for them to have a relationship with the grandparents outside of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2745949 Sat, 10 Jun 2017 12:09:30 +0000 lamariniere 2745949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: did you make a decision about this? My ILs have just offered to take our LOs (3 and 6) for 2 weeks this summer! It would require flying them out there and then flying back, but we wouldn't have to worry about water access. I'm completely on the fence right now since it seems like such a long time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744796 Wed, 07 Jun 2017 12:20:15 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2744796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: my dd will be 5 in a few months and has stayed with MIL while we went out of town as a baby but nothing since the development of separation anxiety. If your LO and parents are wanting to do this, I don't see why not! Sounds like a good bonding experience for them. My brother flew with me thousands of miles away for over a month to visit or grandparents when he was five! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744785 Wed, 07 Jun 2017 12:08:46 +0000 kiddosc 2744785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He hasn't, but I would accept the offer in a heartbeat if it were extended. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744744 Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:55:47 +0000 lamariniere 2744744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not yet. I would let my LOs stay with my ILs for that long, but I would have a serious conversation about water access. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744738 Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:42:12 +0000 yin 2744738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 spent a week with my sister when he was 2 while DH and I went on our babymoon. His food allergies made it a little tricky, but I made sure to prep all meals in advance. </p> <p>My kids are now 6 and 3, and I would be comfortable with them spending a week at my in-law's house. I would trust them bringing the kids to the pool and beach with a lifeguard, but I would be hesitant without. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744689 Wed, 07 Jun 2017 09:17:29 +0000 milano14 2744689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes - my oldest usually goes to my parents for at least a few days every summer.<br /> 4 yrs old was for 3 days<br /> At 5 &amp; 6 he spent a week.<br /> This summer, at 7, he will be there for another week.</p> <p>Being at their house is definitely different from being at my parents, but both my Mom and Dad are fantastic with my boys and they love visiting their house. They're 3 hours away and we talk daily. I don't have the safety concern of a pool, however my parents usually take DS1 swimming at least 1 day that they're there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744688 Wed, 07 Jun 2017 09:12:28 +0000 Anagram 2744688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would 1000% let my mom have my kids for a week. My mom is fabulous with my kids and they know her well because she's retired and has come to see us for a week or two about 4 times this year. Unfortunately for us, we live in the NYC area and she lives in southern Georgia. So getting them there without a parent would be the issue. My mom is also super energetic and safety conscious.</p> <p>My inlaws would do fine with my kids, and are also safety conscious.....but they haven't seen my youngest enough for me to comfortably send them for a week. I think she would freak out. My oldest would probably love it though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744678 Wed, 07 Jun 2017 09:00:28 +0000 irene 2744678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not yet, but I would have loved it if we liked my in-laws more... We are very afraid they would spoil DS to no end if we let him stay with them for a week, and it would be a lot of work to turn the ship around when he comes home. Besides, DS would have to fly there by himself as an unaccompanied minor. </p> <p>The no-lifeguard situation is worrying, but I would have a very serious, lengthy talk with your LO about water safety before she goes. If she is not the crazy kind who would climb into the gorilla cage, I think you will be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744631 Wed, 07 Jun 2017 08:03:36 +0000 Mamaof2 2744631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: not yet - It makes me nervous to even think about it! They have been at home w/o me and DH lots of times for a week period but I feel like its "safe" at home </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744567 Wed, 07 Jun 2017 01:02:39 +0000 hellobear 2744567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i would with my parents, they have watched my dd who is a toddler for a weekend or long weekend here and there and i totally trust them 100%... my in-laws, no way - my MIL doesn't always think things through even though she means well... like i always find knives just laying around the kitchen counter edge when she's cooking even though she has her grandkids playing in the kitchen at the same time.. or she lets my young toddler go down to the basement without adult supervision. gah. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744565 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 23:59:10 +0000 BeachMama 2744565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We spent about 4.5 days away from her about a month ago. She stayed w my parents, along w her little brother, while DH and I went away for a wedding. She did okay, and I trust my parents, but I don't think I'd leave her any longer than that. It seemed to affect her. A week or so afterwards she told me how sad she'd been and asked that we not go away that long again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744562 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 23:45:19 +0000 autumnlove 2744562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not yet but we plan on leaving them for a week with my parents when my youngest is a little older! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744558 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 23:29:19 +0000 PinkElephant 2744558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. My DDs have spent a week at my inlaws' lake house twice - once at 3 yrs and 15 months, once at 4 yrs and 2 yrs. This involves daily beach access from the house, fishing on the dock, boat rides, splash pad, etc. My in laws have strict rules about walking onto the beach without an adult and onto the dock without also having a life vest on, and the girls listen well to the rules. They'll do it again this year at 5 and 3. In retrospect, 15 months was too young (DD2 wouldn't gone to me when I got home and was calling my MIL "Nanna-Mommy"), but the following year she had a blast. my inlaws have had a lake house since my SIL was around my daughters' age, so I'm comfortable with their water safety knowledge and level vigilance. If I were you, the deciding factor would be your parents' experience/ comfort with kids and water, your DD's tendency to obey your parents (and her behavior around water), and your parents' tendency to follow your rules/requests about things they do with your daughter at other times (i.e. if they always give too many treats/skip naps in spite of instructions to the contrary, then, nope!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744507 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 20:10:28 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2744507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. At my moms with an pool at her home. But they have a baby gate </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744503 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 19:47:57 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2744503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep! The boys are 4, next week will be their 4th time to spend a week away. They started at 1 1/2 and it was way too early as far as I was concern d, but we needed childcare that week and it was the only way to do it. When they were 2 1/2 it was easier for me. I do worry more when they're gone--particularly when it comes to travel or water activities, but I would worry about those things if it was a day trip, too. The boys LOVE having a week with their grandparents, and DH's parents love it, too. </p> <p>I will say that I highly recommend you and DH go do some fun mini vacation while she's gone if you decide to go for it. I worry &amp; miss them less if we're having our own adventure to distract me rather than just going to work like usual. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744472 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 17:22:49 +0000 pinkcupcake 2744472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, my mom took my 5 yo on a 5 day trip to SF (we live I. Seattle). They stayed w my brother and his wife. I couldn't go Bc I just had a baby. She has a blast! I trust my mom and my brother wholeheartedly so it was a great experience for all. She did miss us a ton so next time, I would only do 3-4 days :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744468 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 17:09:49 +0000 Finfan 2744468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, the longest we have done is 2 nights away. I would be OK with longer but neither set of grandparents is up for a whole week with my 5YO. It would be more likely for my SIL to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744454 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:58:15 +0000 Meowkers 2744454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. My DD stayed with my parents for a week when she was 18 months while DH and I went on vacation. We'll do the same thing again this year (she'll be 2.5 years old). She has a great time, grandparents have a great time and DH and i get a huge break </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744433 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:23:37 +0000 mdf106 2744433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son spent a week with my in-laws just before he turned 3, and they plan to take him for a week again this summer at almost four. It was hard for me, but he had a great time, and it is important for me to foster a close relationship with grandparents. The week after was quite hard, behavior-wise. They did do some water activities, but I trust my in-laws, they are experienced around water and strong swimmers. They are about 4 hours away and in a rural area, and that aspect makes me a little nervous. </p> <p>I think it is better to rip the band-aid off and just do it. I also had a hard time the first time missing bedtime and the first night away.</p> <p>ETA They have only watched my oldest for a week, not both at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744428 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:17:24 +0000 rpparker 2744428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! Last summer, DD went to my parents for 3 nights at just 1 year old and now at almost 2 she is going for 4 nights on two separate occasions this summer. One of the weeks will be at the beach and I do have some worry about that but I'm trying to not let it get in the way of the fun I know she will have. I teach a quick but intensive summer class and it just works out best for her to go to them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744425 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:15:57 +0000 gingerbebe 2744425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not do this, only because I don't really trust my parents to watch my kids without me around. My in-laws I would trust but I don't think they have the stamina to watch both our kids nonstop for a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744423 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:14:39 +0000 KT326 2744423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup, my son (also 5) has spent an entire week at my my moms house quite a few times. They mostly stay home but they have also taken him to a few places and I'm totally comfortable with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-5-year-old-spent-a-week-away-from-home#post-2744415 Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:07:41 +0000 MsMini 2744415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He hasn't yet but I would love if someone offered! I think it would be good for him! </p>