Tips For Leaving Kids With Grandparents

 

The first time my husband and I went on a holiday without our child, she was 10 months old. We left her with my parents, who had offered to take care of her for the week. Leaving kids with grandparents is never an easy decision to make, but we really needed to have some alone time.

Unfortunately, we were highly criticized for going away and leaving kids with grandparents. People obviously felt obligated to tell us that we are bad parents. Well, I don’t want anyone to feel like that so because of that, I’d like to share a couple of benefits of leaving kids with grandparents, and some tips that you should have in mind before leaving.

leaving kids with grandparents

Kids that stay with their grandparents since an early age are more secure and independent

For some children, spending time away from their parents has proved to be really good. It helps them to be creative and to find different ways of entertainment without an adult being involved. Bare in mind that it’s their chance to have a break from their mom and dad, and there are different rules to follow, other people to talk to, and other situations to deal with, which aren’t part of their daily lives at home.
On the other hand, they begin to understand that their parents may be absent for some days, but they always come back. This allows them to develop enough confidence to be willing to spend time with others and that way they develop their social and communication skills. You can check out the book by Michael Thompson: Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow about that topic.

Children and grandparents enrich their relationship

This is a really important point because, especially among first time parents, there are cases in which children aren’t allowed to spend time with other members of the family, since their parents are determined to prove that they are self-sufficient and they don’t need help. This is valid, of course, but the result is that when kids grow up, they refuse to spend time with their grandparents – or anyone else – and just want to stick around their mom or dad. If this happens, later in time there may be a lot of regrets. So, don’t feel bad when leaving kids with grandparents.

Don’t think that because your parents want to take part in your kid’s life, they mean to treat you as if you weren’t good enough. What they really mean is to spend time with their grandchildren, spoil them in a way that you can’t, and create valuable memories with the kids. Giving you some spare time is just a plus, believe me.

Tips for leaving kids with grandparents

Make sure your kids understand that they didn’t do anything wrong

Some children may think it’s their fault that their parents are going away. They are afraid and feel a lot of anxiety when they are left with someone. That’s why, the best thing you can do is tell your children that you are proud of them, that you love them, and above all, that you are coming back really soon.

Create a detailed schedule

If you want your children to remember everything they have to do, or even if you just want them to feel that you are close to them, you can print a schedule with the days and things that you’ve planned for them. It may be fun!

Leave an emergency contact

This would be a phone number where you can be reached at all times. Also, just in case, leave the name, address and phone number of the hotel where you’re staying. You could give your parents or in-laws a copy of your itinerary, so they will know where to find you in any time.

Leave health information

If your children take medicines, be sure that you tell the grands the correct dosages and the frequencies they need to take it. Also, when leaving kids with grandparents, provide them with a list of phone numbers to use in an emergency, such as the pediatrician’s or the usual clinic you take your children to. Leave a copy of the children’s insurance card, and a notarized authorization that allows your parents or in-laws to be in charge of the medical decisions in case something happens.

Finally, you can also leave suggestions when leaving kids with grandparents, such as what toy to use if your kids are crying their eyes out, or what kind of foods they like the most. I’m sure your parents or in-laws will really appreciate that.

Have you ever left your children with their grandparents? I hope that you will find these tips for leaving kids with grandparents useful.

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Comments

  1. I can’t imagine someone NOT thinking it was a good thing to leave kids with the grandparents – it just seems like such a positive experience (for both of them – and you) to enjoy. Pinning!

  2. Believe it or not, we still haven’t traveled without our daughter yet! I’ve traveled solo for work, and my husband has done the same, but we haven’t get BOTH traveled and left her at home. However, one set of her grandparents live very nearby, so she gets lots of time with them during the day / I have meetings, and when my husband and I do date nights. =) We are planning to travel to Europe without her in the spring and leave her with them, so these tips will come in handy!

  3. I enjoyed reading your article. We only live three and a half miles from my parents and my children absolutely love it! It is such a huge blessing to be so close to grandparents. While we see my parents about every other day, I have only left my older son over night with my parents twice (once when I was in the hospital having a baby). I just like having my kids with me as much as I can. I miss them when they are gone and am just more comfortable having them home at night…even though my parents have offered numerous times to keep the boys overnight. I think it’s great that you have been able to leave your children with their grandparents!

  4. Great article, I didn’t have that previlage s my dad and his parents are India, thanks for sharing wonderful article with Hearth and soul blog hop, tweeting.

  5. I agree, children’s lives are enriched by the experience of visiting and staying with other family members and close friends – especially grandparents! These are great tips to help make the experience even more fun for everyone. Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul hop!

  6. I have yet to leave my kids for longer than a few hours or one night but I wouldnt judge someone for doing so we all need some time to outselves and I agree children need to have a good relationship with grandparents too. Great tips thanks for linking up to #kidscorner

  7. Well done you for being brave enough, i still struggle 4 years in. Leaving kids with grandparents is not the same as babysitters or whatever so ignore criticism. Thanks for sharing in #KidsCorner x

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