What age did other peoples children sleep away from home?

purplegirluk1

I was just wondering what age peoples children stayed away from home at Grandparents etc? My son is 20 months and I would like him to be able to sleep over at my parents and with his dad, though I am not in any hurry. I would just be nice to have the option if it is needed. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? I think he is a little too young at the moment but would I like to know how other people went about it. Thanks.

Apricot

All of the kids in my family had stayed at grandparents from about 6 months old. If you start it early enough they will get used to it quickly and so grandparent doesn't have to deal with a 3 year old sobbing as they have never been away from mum before at night.
Obviously wait until you feel ready but I would do it sooner rather than later to get the little one used to having other people put him to bed from time to time.

purplegirluk1

I wish I had been able to do it earlier but I fully breast fed until he weened so now I am worried he wont settle. He wont even have a nap away from home yet! It might be a long old journey I think.

tiamai_d

The boys were about 6 weeks old. My DD just had her first sleepover last night at 15 weeks and it will not be happening again for a LONG time.

Neither of them were bothered one little bit and all were/are such good babies that they don't fuss anyway. But I missed them like crazy. It's nice to get a night 'off', but I don't like it to happen too often!

katieclampet

The younger the better, then the child gets used to staying on a regular basis. All my dgc stayed from quite young babies, eldest & youngest still stay regularily, middle gc stays til bedtime, than wants to go home! (proper little homebody) I suppose it depends to a certain extent on how near you live. Popping out to get an upset child is no problem if it's 10 mins away, but a hassle if its much further, and/or in the middle of the night.

katiex

oscarsmum

I agree, the younger the better, mine were about 6 weeks. I think then they grow up being used to sleeping out. Even if they are unsettled the first time, children adapt very quickly and if you make it a regular event they will get used to it in no time at all.
Hope this helps.

domestic_goddess

My two were about six weeks old.... I was glad of a full nights sleep every now and again

Spendless

I wish, my two arising 7 and 10 and I've never had a night when they have had a sleepover at a relatives together so I could have a break. No one offers.
I've had a couple of times when someone has had them for us to have a night out, last time propably 2-3 years ago and a few occassions when someone has had kids at our house and we've gone away for 1 - 2 nights.

If someone is offerring to have the kids I'd take it, I long for a nights peace.

mrcow

Mine was 6 years old.

Katyag

DS1 was around 3-4 months. DS2 is now 27 months and still hasnt had a sleepover. For some reason Im not as keen sending him away, I have my ways of doing things and no one does them the same! lol Too much hassle too, lugging travel cot, nappies, clothes etc!

NBirdy

My youngest is 18 months old, and from about 5 months she would stay at my mums one night a week and was no trouble at all. Great I thought, she''ll have no problems with overnight stays now she's so used to it. Then when she got to around 15 months she just went off the idea, and would get very upset until I went back to get her. She just will NOT sleep anywhere but in her own bed at night