How to tell my MIL that I dont want my DD leaving me overnight yet.

[Reet]

Raffy- I think that's what I wld be like! Plus I just know no-one loves and looks after your child like you do. It wld be a huge struggle for me and not enjoyable at all. I know in an emergency situation or if my dh and I really needed to go on a holiday for something like a honeymoon then I cld do it but yeah I wld be pretty upset thinking about her.. and theres only so many phone calls and texts u can send!! Plus what fun wld it be now if I cldnt even drown my sorrows with alcohol cos im pregnant? !

[beansbeans!]

hold on a two hour flight is 1000+kms away! Thats just plain crazy to think a 2.5yrs old can handle that.

Anyhow, quite simply. I would just laugh it off and say "Thanks but no thank you. However our home is open for you to come and stay and have time with dd, but overnight stays are out of the question at this point in time."

Otherwise, fob it off with "Ill try and remember to talk to dh about it when I see him next" Its my out with my inlaws, works every time, and every time I forget to mention it to dh, and I always promise to bring it up with him the next time. Ok so perhaps we talk about it, but its a great out when we are both tired of them nagging us about something and they don't want to hear us.

[JLeigh29]

I too agree she's too young to be a plane ride away, especially if she's never been away from you before.

When they visit, do they take her out for the afternoon/day? It's something you have to work up to, iykwim? Start with you ducking out for an hour for groceries, then build up to a half day, a day, or an overnight stay with you nearby. Take it as slow as you need to and don't feel pressured. Ever. It's your right as parents to parent as you want.

I'd be getting DH to tell them too, and to say its a joint decision. Also get him to say that their constant asking, while showing how much they care, is making you both feel uncomfortable and pressured. Let them know it's not them, that DD isn't ready to go away with anyone just yet.

[Jaycee]

There's no way known that I would send my boys on a 2 hour flight to MIL, she also lives interstate and thankfully hasn't asked...yet!

I wouldn't be comfortable even with a 2 hour drive, so you're certainly not being overprotective, and even if you were, it's your right to be

[HotI]

I wouldn't be ok with my child being that far away, so you are not alone.

my 3.5 year old has only stayed at my mum's by herself once, and once at another friend's just ten minutes away (and I picked ds up at midnight, still knew she was asleep and ok).

when preparing for the sleepover at mum's, dd and I stayed there one night to see how she would go.

my mil has also left many hints, but I'm not comfortable with the idea yet, so just keep deflecting the suggestion.

[diannescruffy]

You're not being over protective at all, my 6yr old has never been on a sleep over and I sure wouldn't send her on a 2hr flight. Your MIL already knows your feelings so you really may have to be straight up with her, politely but sternly. Really hope it all works out.

Regards,
Dianne