I was away from the baby for 8 hours!
By foxyfire33
@foxyfire33 (10005)
United States
July 1, 2008 4:48pm CST
This was the first time in his entire 19 1/2 months that I'd been away from him for more than 2 hours straight and the very first time I'd ever been away at bedtime! He did just fine though.
Stepson's girlfriend offered to help MIL babysit all 3 little boys so I could go to the track with s/o. I only got to go one time last year...with all 3 boys and MIL just to watch... and hadn't gone at all this year. Everyone here knows that I really hate going just to watch and would rather be down in the pits helping with the car. It was so much fun! It was a bad night as far as racing went but I didn't care...I got to do something that I enjoy.
At first I felt kind of guilty for leaving him for so long and worried that he'd miss me and be upset that I wasn't there at bedtime. But he was fine, he asked for his cup and curled up next to his biggest brother (my stepson) and fell right to sleep at 9pm like normal. It was the 5 year old that would not go to sleep until I got home!
So my first time away from the baby for sucha long time was not at all traumatic...even though I checked the cell phone every 15 minutes at first LOL, and hopefully I'll get to do it again sometime soon.
Feel free to share your experiences of your first time away from your own little ones!
1 person likes this
10 responses
@honeydew82174 (1720)
• United States
1 Jul 08
Good for you for taking some time for yourself. You need to get away once in a while to keep your sanity! I leave my daughter very seldom. It sure does feel good to have a night to myself once in a while.@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
2 Jul 08
It was a really nice change of pace. LOL...not sure about it saving my sanity, a race car is just as demanding as a 2 year old sometimes, but it was fun.
@ellie333 (21016)
•
3 Jul 08
Hi Foxyfire, glad to hear that you got some time to spend with S/O and doing something you enjoy without the kids around but the first time you ever leave the little one is traumatic I agree. Not only was I checking the phone every fifteen minutes but I was ringing on the hour to make sure everything was okay. Now I actually enjoy some time away to be Ellie instead of mum for a change. I still make sure I call to make sure all okay now but only the once these days instead of on the hour LOL. Ellie :D
@rsa101 (40987)
• Philippines
2 Jul 08
Well I guess from time to time you have to make things to pamper yourself and you just did that. I guess what is important is that you've enjoyed a day in your life. But do not forget to thanks those that allowed you to do that like you MIL and other who have help it may give yu another chance the next time it happens.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I left my son overnight with my parents for the first time when he was 4 months old. My husband and I went away for the weekend, and were basically gone for two days, and one night. I cried! My husband didn't get it, but he was used to being away from him for longer periods of time. At the time, I was working, but it was just 5 hour shifts.
I quit working when he was 14 months old. He's 29 months old now, and since I quit working, I've left him with a babysitter for my husband's promotion ceremony, and for a Christmas party, and that's it. I've only even left him with just my husband a handful of times, and it's always short periods of time. Then when we were home (home is 1100 miles from where we are currently stationed), we left him with my parents again, for about a day and a half. He only cried for Mommy once! I was really surprised. I think I might have been more upset about being away from him than he was. HE did hug and kiss me when I got home, though. And then he told me I skipped my night night! lol He used a stern voice. It was cute. He insisted I hold him while he took his nap the next day, too.
@checapricorn (16060)
• United States
2 Jul 08
Hi foxyfire, that is good then that he was behave and didn't look for you for those time that you were alone...I always remember my officebmate before whenever we have an overnight seminar, she will be restless for the rest of the night thinking her son and will call her hubby a lot!
@SwtJenlove (1090)
• United States
2 Jul 08
I always felt bad leaving my oldest son at home but i knew he was in good hands with my mom when id go out in the evening every once in a while and my sister during the day while i was at work. I have only went out a few times since ive had my 2nd son. i have only been gone once with my daughter and she did alright :) but she is only 3 months old. my 2 year old is the one who gives the most problems because he likes being attatched to me alot. but i dont mind. like ive said before. there is nothing like the unconditional love from a child!
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
1 Jul 08
The first time I was away from my son over night he was 6 weeks old. I had surgery and had to stay overnight in the hospital. My mom kept him for me.
I have never gone overnight without my daughter. I have gone about 12 hours without her a few times though.
@jashley1 (746)
• United States
1 Jul 08
That's great you got to enjoy some time without the babies! I have only left my 7 month old a few times - a few hours with my husband, and once I left all three children with a daycare provider for 3 hours. But that is the longest I've ever left him. And with the provider he cried a lot, so I felt so guilty when coming to get him. I had an interview that day and was thinking about going back to work, but I just don't know if I could leave him at this early age and go to work! I love staying at home with my kids. My oldest is starting Kindergarten this Fall but finances are a little slim and we've sacrificed a lot! Online money making has been a challenge, but I'm sticking in there - found a few great companies to earn some money from. Thanks for sharing your experience!
@naseeha (1382)
• India
2 Jul 08
Just recently i left my 2 year old with my mom for a day. They were going to their place and he wanted to go with them. I explained to him that i would not be coming and he would have to be with his granny and his uncle and aunt and told him not to cry.
First he said i wont go .Then he thought over it
and said i want to go. So i let him
the little one did not even ask for me once during his overnight stay. 
I think he understood that i would not be there and adjusted well. I too like you thought he would cry at bedtime but he enjoyed playing and slept without any problems.
he never ceases to surprise me......
and said i want to go. So i let him
the little one did not even ask for me once during his overnight stay.
I think he understood that i would not be there and adjusted well. I too like you thought he would cry at bedtime but he enjoyed playing and slept without any problems.
he never ceases to surprise me......
