How old?

[Phteven]

Both mine were over a year old before I left them with anyone. it doesn't harm them staying close to their parents while they are so young.
Even now I don't leave them reguarly. I leave them at CC and with my sister but that's about it. DH wanted me to leave them with the ILs today but when I asked the boys what they thought Yasin said no and Imran cried so I didn't do it.

[Trillian]

ROFL Brontide, can't say I blame him on that one

My eldest was probably 7mths when we left him with anyone for the first time as we had a function to go to and he was better off being looked after than being there as it was a formal dinner with loud speeches (he loathes loud noises). If you don't have any need to leave her, or more to the point, don't want to leave her then that's OK. But if you aren't 100% ready then maybe wait a while, because when you do eventually do it, you don't want to spend most of the time on the phone to her carer making sure she is OK. And she wont suffer from not being let with anyone either.

[Inertia]

Harry got left with someone for the first time in January just gone - so almost 3yo. I was staying at my mum and sisters and at this point in time, my family are the only people I trust with my kids.

Not done him any harm and he gave them no grief about mum and dad leaving. We were gone for about an hour tops for my birthday. I dont like leaving people with all 5 of my kids. It just feels like I am asking way too much of them.

[~Serenity~]

umm my youngest was 7 months coz i went back to tafe so he was at daycare i remember for my oldest two but if you have no need then why would you...

dont feel bad you just have to do what you feel is best

[visitor1]

DD1 was left for a full 12 hour day (FDC) from the age of 5 months when i returned to work 2 days a week.

DD2 started at age 8 months but my then i was back home not working and they both now only go 7 hours 2 days a week

Ive left them for 2 nights at a time when IL's came to visit and DH and i went away for a weekend.

[mrsmac]

I left DD1 with my brother for an hour when she was 10 days old! (he was 21) I have left DS from quite a young age with his older sister cause she is very reliable and sensible but not really with many people except his FDC (from 8 months) I have never left him overnight and he is nearly 3.

[~breeze~]

DD was 2 weeks old - she had a sleep over at BIL's house while we we removing mould in the house. She has been left numerous times with family over her 4 yrs.
DS was about the same I guess. MIL offered to take him over night so I could have a sleep in LOL (They live upstairs, our house is a duplex) I also leave him often with family when I have things to do which are alot easier without kids in tow.

My IL's offer to take them alot so I take them up on it. The kids LOVE it & it gives me some time to myself. I do miss them when they're not with me though.

Each to their own. I wouldn't change the way I've done it.

[feeb]

DS never been left yet.

He will be left for 2 hrs next weekend with a close friend of mine while we go out for dinner for our anniversary!!!! But i was very strict to DH that it would be my mum or this friend only (other friends i trust to look after him have own kids and to far away)