Anonymous
Post 07/18/2019 21:22     Subject: Leaving kids with ILs for the first time
No chance would I leave a 3 month old overnight with people who have never even babysat her for an evening yet. Why don’t you plan a nice dinner out for next week while they babysit at your house, and in a few months go somewhere overnight? I’m sure plenty of grandparents can handle a baby overnight, but maybe let them test it out over dinner first.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2019 21:12     Subject: Leaving kids with ILs for the first time
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:To answer a couple questions, we have slept at my ILs house many times but DH and I are always there - the kids are never alone. We would probably go one night before to help them get settled. The older one is pretty comfortable with them, I am just worried about the baby. As of now she just wakes up once per night around 4/5am to eat. My mother in law claims she can handle that but I don’t think it will be super pleasant for her.

It's one night. She said she'd be fine. Why wouldn't you believe her?

My MIL would say the same but I wouldn’t believe her. She did a great job raising her own kids, but significantly overestimates how much she remembers or what she has the energy to do. With totally good intentions, she’d bite off way more than she could chew.

I feel you though, OP— we are also nearing our 10 yr and my husband wants to go (far) away, and I’m not ready to be 12+ hrs away from my kids.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2019 18:22     Subject: Leaving kids with ILs for the first time
Obviously, you do not want to leave them with her so stay home. Otherwise, you will be calling/texting every ten minutes, driving her insane.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2019 17:40     Subject: Leaving kids with ILs for the first time
Older kid might like a night alone with grandma and grandpa.

If baby wakes up 1x you and DH can still enjoy a romantic evening at home.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2019 17:39     Subject: Leaving kids with ILs for the first time
Is it 1 night? Or more like 1 day/night?
As in, are you dropping them off at 10am on Friday morning and returning at 10pm Saturday?
Or more like 7pm Friday night, pickup Saturday morning at 10am?

Sorta makes a difference "how long" ILs are watching them and just how much energy and effort they need to put in during waking hours.
It also helps to give your ILs an endpoint/pickup time.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2019 15:01     Subject: Leaving kids with ILs for the first time
I wouldn’t leave the 3 month old but yes to the 4 year old.

It would be good for the older one I think.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2019 14:48     Subject: Re:Leaving kids with ILs for the first time
Can your inlaws stay at your house? That might be easier for everyone involved! Kids have their own stuff, easier to keep the routine, etc.
Anonymous
Post 07/18/2019 14:44     Subject: Leaving kids with ILs for the first time
This seems like a lot of trouble for one night. What about the weekend instead?