https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 22:45:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2155375 Fri, 24 Apr 2015 07:17:05 +0000 cat620 2155375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to give an update - We went to Barbados and had a great time! I was worried about leaving my son, but I felt better when my in-laws sent photos and updates that showed him having fun. I missed him, but I also enjoyed having time to relax and reconnect with my husband. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2133139 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 23:05:13 +0000 Applesandbananas 2133139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love this thread! I have to travel for work and am worried about LO missing me but it sounds like he will be okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2133017 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 20:11:44 +0000 mamabolt 2133017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did it when LO was 27 months and it was great. 5 days was perfect for us And LO got spoiled by her grandmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2133010 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 20:08:38 +0000 fancyfunction 2133010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went away for 5 days last summer when M was 19 mo and it was great!<br /> She stayed with my parents and we spoke everyday on the phone. They went out and did special activities. Of course we missed her but it was a nice getaway and she had a great time with my<br /> Parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132980 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 19:07:09 +0000 cat620 2132980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm feeling more relaxed about going on vacation after reading the responses. Plus, I talked to my in-laws, and they are excited about watching him! I think they will keep him happy and entertained while I'm gone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132519 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 21:38:21 +0000 Revel 2132519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprild: Just wanted to say thanks for posting this! We will be leaving our LO for a 10 day trip (8 days w/out seeing us) when she is almost 2 and i totally relate to your post, and the replies are helpful. I've actually gotten nothing but positive responses from ppl so maybe I'm lucky on that front, but I am having a lot of angst about leaving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132517 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 21:32:36 +0000 merriment 2132517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Go and enjoy!!! In addition to being great for you and your husband, it will be so nice for LO to stay with your in-laws for a few days. They are totally familiar and known to them. Plus, I think it is great for them to have a relationship that doesn't include you! Does that sound weird?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132514 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 21:27:39 +0000 yoursilverlining 2132514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprild: whoever tells you that a 2 year old will always think when you leave them that you are gone forever is full of it. My LO knows I always come back every morning when I drop her off at daycare, and she's been spending nights at her grandparents since she was a baby and never once said/did anything to indicate she thought we were gone forever (quite the opposite - saying "when we see mama tomorrow, etc) - they don't have the same sense of time as adults do, but your LO will not think you are gone forever. Do not guilt yourself over that nonsense. Go and enjoy yourself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132511 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 21:10:21 +0000 Ginabean3 2132511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do it and enjoy yourself!!! We've done two mini vacations without our 2 year old and are going on another one this weekend without her! My in-laws watches her the first two times and my mom is watching her this time. She has sooo much fun with them and I feel like she doesn't miss us at all. We get sent lots of texts and pictures but we don't do FaceTime. I miss her but it's good and healthy to get away and when we are reunited it's so awesome and you have this renewed love/appreciation for them!! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132502 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 20:44:20 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2132502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Enjoy yourselves :happy: You'll be back, so LO won't think it's forever. I was gone for a week (DD is 2) and was amazed how she didn't even miss me while I was wrecked with guilt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132483 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 19:59:02 +0000 lucy123 2132483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is 20 months and we leave next Friday for a vacation to Jamaica for our 5 year anniversary. It's hard to leave them, but as long as they are in good hands I think it's good for mom and dad to have some alone time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132472 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 19:40:53 +0000 Anagram 2132472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've left our LO a few times with either my in-laws or my mom, and she's been totally fine. This past weekend, we were gone Thursday-late Sunday night and I wake up early for work, so I didn't get to see LO till monday after work--so that's 5 days. She was fine!</p> <p>We did skype and call her on the phone a couple of times, but most of the time she was more interested in playing than talking to us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132448 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 19:01:18 +0000 IcebergMom 2132448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't overthink it! Enjoy yourself. I've left my kids for mini vacations from age 9 months up. And I loved every minute of it. I'm sure you can can access photos and emails so you'll know what's up at home. And the grandparents will enjoy the time and so will your LO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132445 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 18:54:50 +0000 Truth Bombs 2132445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do it!! Time away from each other is good for you and your LO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132442 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 18:47:58 +0000 SweetiePie 2132442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Go and enjoy it! We went when ours was 5 months (about 2 months ago). My mom stayed with him at our place. We went for 5 days and it was HEAVEN. We made a vow to go on at least one child free vacation per year before he was born. It was harder than I thought to leave for the first time, but I got over it reeeeaaal quick. :-) And now it's given us a lot of confidence to do it again.<br /> I'm also going away next weekend for a 2 night spa girls weekend. Granted, 5 months is different than 2 years, but I highly doubt he'll think anything of it. You're leaving him with people he knows.<br /> The trip I went on, there was a couple and one of the women was a child psychologist. She also said the same thing about kids that young having no concept of time - but she said it in a good way. She said that leaving them on thurs and coming back Mon is the same as leaving at 8am and coming back at 6pm.<br /> But I am just repeating, maybe she said that just to make me feel better. Haha. </p> <p>It's also important to me that my son is comfortable around other people besides just me. I want him to enjoy weekends with grandparents, a sleep over with a friend, maybe summer sleep-away camp. In my mind, if he never spends a night without me, those things later in life will be that much more difficult. I want him to be independent and open minded! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132440 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 18:44:51 +0000 BananaPancakes 2132440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd go. I wouldn't have said that at the time that my son was 2, but looking back, any time my husband or I left for a couple of days around that age or before, it didn't seem like it was a big deal to DS. Now, being closer to 3, he understands so much more and he gets really upset about us leaving. He was nasty to me for a good week after a 3 day bachelorette party I went to in January. He's never even batted an eye about me leaving before. I think it'll be good for you to get away before #2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132411 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 17:54:43 +0000 Corduroy 2132411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I took a 5 day trip a few months ago leaving LO at home with my in laws. She was about 20 months and had a blast. </p> <p>I'll admit, we told the in laws to lie and tell her we were at work. She only had two times as frame of reference. Work = gone a long time, sometimes overnight. "Be right back" = gone less than 5 minutes. We were trying to play within her sense of time. Now that she's 25 months we would say we're on a trip but she didn't have that concept then. </p> <p>A good time was had by all. We got pics of her but we didn't facetime. We ended up conceiving #2 on that trip so the small amount of guilt I felt for leaving her was totally erased. You're already pregnant so you totally deserve a guilt free trip. For that matter, all parents do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132380 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 17:02:43 +0000 regberadaisy 2132380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If we had overnight childcare and it was financially in the books I abs would've taken a child free baby moon before #2! Do it! This is coming from someone whose one and only night away from their child was delivering another! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132373 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:56:30 +0000 fuzzypeaches 2132373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And I should add that lo is super clingy and if he sees me leave does experience separation anxiety, but has been totally fine without is. My parents just kept him on his usual schedule and he hasn't had any difficulties at all! He's having a blast with my parents (and they with him!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132371 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:52:51 +0000 fuzzypeaches 2132371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm doing it right now! dh and I are on day 5/6 of a "babymoon" and Lo is 18 months and chilling at home with my parents (who are beyond amazing and flew in to watch him just do we could go!)<br /> It's been really good re-bonding and despite all my tears and dramatics the day we left (lol) Lo is fine and has no concept that we are even gone!<br /> Go and be guilt free ;) but I got a lot of the same comments too, so I totally understand. I'm just trying to let it roll off my back - I know when I have a break im an even better mom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132365 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:48:33 +0000 sarac 2132365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't personally go for more than about three days. If i just had to have a getaway, I'd make it a weekend thing. I prefer to travel with my child, for the most part. We took my daughter on her first big trip right at that age, and it was awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132359 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:35:51 +0000 miramira 2132359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 2-year-old niece whose parents are about to take a 10-day trip without her. I think they're looking forward to it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132347 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:20:31 +0000 mrsjyw 2132347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did it last May when Ds was 18 months! My mom watched him at our house and (back n forth from her house five miles away). We texted a lot and had an amazing time! </p> <p>We are going away for a long wknd again this May to South Beach and we and my parents can't wait! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132340 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:07:08 +0000 daniellemybelle 2132340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We left LO for 5 days when she was 9 months old. It was insanely hard but she was in great hands with my mom, and we had a fantastic time. Do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132322 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 15:51:37 +0000 StbHisMrs 2132322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're doing it next month, except we have a 3.5 year old and 1.5 year old. We'll be gone for 7 days, my Mom is coming to stay with them at our house for part of the time, then my IL'S are taking them to their house for the rest of the time. They've done great all the times they've been away from us, I worry for my Mom, she has less patience than I do :wink: </p> <p>Have fun!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132318 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 15:47:46 +0000 Charm54 2132318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG this sounds heavenly right now. Dh and I went away to Florida last year for a week and I missed her but I had an awesome time and it was great for dh and I to get some time alone. We are planning on going away this summer somewhere before LO2 is born! Enjoy!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132315 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 15:43:58 +0000 jedeve 2132315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I understand your anxiety, but go for it! I mean, I wouldn't make a habit of leaving a kid for extend periods but since it's a one chance thing then do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132269 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 15:00:57 +0000 blackbird 2132269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh i would leave E for 5 days IN A HEARTBEAT if we chad someone to watch her for that long. He's not going to forget you guys ;) And he will be so psyched to see you when you get back. Although, I will say....E cries when we come pick her up from grandma's house because she has *so* much fun there. So i def wouldn't feel bad :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132266 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 15:00:19 +0000 kiddosc 2132266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprild: I seriously doubt your toddler will think you've left him forever. :happy: He will have fun with his grandparents and be happy to see mommy and daddy when they get home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-toddler-to-go-on-vacation#post-2132264 Fri, 03 Apr 2015 14:59:30 +0000 Smurfette 2132264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just did it! She is 2 and my parents came to the house and stayed with her. They took her to day care to keep her on schedule and give them selves a break. We dropped her off at day care Thursday morning and for home around 6 on Monday. We walked in the door and she ran back to my parents cause she didn't want them to leave. We didn't FaceTime or anything, just a text a day with a picture. She is used to my DH gone since he travels for work and I have done weekends away but DH has been with her. But my parents said she only asked about us at night. She had a blast! As we did!!! </p>