There comes a time when you need to leave your child in the care of someone else, other than nursery/ child-minder/ school.
It’s good for you to have a break from all the stresses and strains of everyday life!
BUT, it comes with challenges!
You have to be able to truly trust who you leave them with, and know they are fully trained up, just in case the worst does actually happen.
You need to be able to ignore that little voice we all have in our heads, worrying about the ‘what ifs’ (and yep, that is the hardest to ignore!!)
Believe me, it’s not easy!
Jon and I had planned a mummy and daddy day last Friday, that had been months in the organising. We were spending the day in London with friends, seeing the sights, and having a nice wander round, with a stop off at a few pubs en route. Then, heading on to see Robbie Williams in concert in the evening. (I’m a huge fan and make no apologies for it!)
Gram very kindly stepped in to look after Callum, and then Chloe once she finished school, and was joined a little later by our lovely friend Vicky.
Callum was very sad to see us go, and certainly made me feel quite guilty about leaving him. But I was assured that within 5 minutes of us leaving, he was quite happy and his usual chirpy self.
Children are very astute, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he picked up on my anxieties of leaving him, even when with someone I trust completely.
Jon and I had such a lovely, relaxed and chilled out time, visiting the places we used to go to pre children, and reminiscing.
Lunch and dinner were such a different experience!
No worrying about any ‘safe’ foods on the menu!
No issues with cross-contamination!
No ignoring of what I wanted to really eat, just so little dude could eat something and share with me!
Days off with allergies are rare, but boy are they good when you get them!!
If you’re worrying about time away from your little one, there’s a few things you can do to make things as easy as possible for you:
- Have a checklist of all the meds that will need to be administered while you are away. Make sure all details are included, when they are needed, how to take them, and where they are kept.
- Make sure the carer is fully aware of and reminded of allergies (things may have changed since they last looked after your little one)
- Provide ‘safe’ foods for snacks etc. and where possible, make sure a ‘safe’ lunch/ dinner is ready, to ensure minimal chances of issues occurring
- Line up back up support, close by, just in case anything does happen. It will give you and also the carer peace of mind
- Make sure the carer has your mobile number, and at least the mobile number of one other person you will be out with (in case your battery goes!)
The most important thing to remember though, HAVE FUN!!
My god you will have earned the time off, don’t use the time worrying and stressing. It’s the best opportunity for total down time, and a chance to recharge those very worn batteries.
At least it was in our case!
