OT - Sleep over at Grandparents?

[bookgirl]

Just curious how many other parents have their children spend the night at their grandparents and at what ages.

My mother in law has been asking since DD (3) was born to have her stay at her house. They live about 2 hours away.

Its not something we ever did in my family so I just don't feel comfortable with it. My MIL is umm.... Not quite as diligent as we are in terms of safety issues and I don't necessarily trust her to tell me the whole story if something happens.

My Sister in law sends her two kids there all the time for weekends and whenever. They are all starting to put a lot of pressure on my DH and I to let DD go.

Just curious how others handle this

My nephews were about 4 and half. Their mom wasn't too big on the spending the night away from home thing. Now they spend more time sleeping at relatives than at home (kidding but almost). When my brother and SIL split, my brother was very vocal about spending time with the kids and haveing them overnight, so that helped her get over her hesitation. I'd say that if the grandparents are that eager and obviously they are safe enough that the cousins have survived, let them go. Kids need time away from parents and really who couldn't use a little break from the kids just to be a couple.

 

[emh1129]

We did leave him one evening with my MIL while we had a "date night". When we got back we found him happily watching South Park.

I know I shouldn't be laughing, but that's a pretty funny image. I wouldn't be pleased with my little ones watching SP, but I could see my FIL saying something like "What? It's a cartoon" with all seriousness.

 

[fairymommy]

I think you always feel more comfortable leaving your kids with your OWN parents and maybe not so much your inlaws. I have been married 10 yr.s and still have problems not wanting my inlaws to take my kids to special places without me, I don't want to miss anything! My kids are 7, 6 and 4 and I JUST let them spend the night for the first time at inlaws. They did great. I think if your MIL is flighty you should wait until your child is old enough to keep out of trouble. That way if your MIL is not paying attention, your child will be safer. Just my 2 cents!

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

I would let them go, but, my situation is different. My ds (who is 4) has stayed at my parents quite a few times and only once at my mil & fil house. They have another grandchild, a little girl (who is also 4 years old & by their daughter) and she ALWAYS comes first, she is over there all the time, they take her to McDonald's, camping, etc...this use to really bother me, but, not anymore, I figure they are the ones missing out!! He still goes to my parents and loves it there.