Thanks ladies. I know my mother will offer her lovely friends as babysitters, but Liebs doesn't know them and I fear I am being a bit precious when I put that to her. I don't feel guilty about the first party as it isn't even the wedding we're invited to, but the second one I do. I wanted to go to that one - wanted to get a new dress, DS a new suit, spend £100 on fuel for the car to attend, enjoy my cousin's special day with her.

I know my other cousin with children will go, as her PiL will have her two all weekend no problems, but it will just be 24 hours because they live close by. Which makes me feel that I'm using Liebs as a poor excuse, as another cousin with two children can attend.

Ah well. They know how far away I live - so far away they don't visit. They know it's several hours in the car to get up there. And then to have to leave Liebling behind too... if he could go, I'd say yes. But DH just said "no children, we can't do it." And that's how I felt. But now I feel guilty because I do want to go! I went to other weddings and left early because of Liebling's bedtime, but to leave him just after lunch and him not know the babysitter. He'd probably be fine. But I only get weekends with him and it's an expensive weekend to leave him behind.

Thanks for validating me though - it's really appreciated.