Leaving an 8 month old for two days and one each week.

[mygreeneyedboy]

Would you do it?

I would leave him with DP and DM. DM would do the nursery runs and look after until DP is home from work.

It's that, or cart him off with me to the other side of the country and back for those days, and stick him in nursery whilst I'm there.

It's also only temporary / 6 months max.

I won't explain the situation as it's quite unique so if someone reads that knows me, they'll know it's me and I'd rather have my thoughts 'private'.

[ExitPursuedByAKoalaBear]

Yes. He will be fine.

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

If by DP, you mean the child's father, then of course it will be fine. Why on earth wouldn't it?

[butterfliesinmytummy]

I live in a country with 6 weeks statutory maternity leave, which is common worldwide. He'll be fine.

[Happy36]

If your mother and partner are happy with this arrangement it sounds perfect. The nursery/travel arrangements would be a last resort compared to the mum/partner option.

Good luck in your new job!

[OneDreamOnly]

Yes it's fine no issue at all.
I'm pretty sure you would trust the father of your child to look after him, no?
And he'll get time with his gran.

What else could you ask for?

[mygreeneyedboy]

Yes DP is DS' dad. Just worried it would be too much away from him, he is still breastfed (but we're a month/two months away from situation)

[mygreeneyedboy]

Really reassured by all these positive answers :) what would say the limit of time away from is that age to do each week?

[nannynome]

I am about to have to do the same thing with new job. I am still on maternity and will be starting 2 days away in September. DS (7months) is going to be starting nursery but DH and I are starting to plan for me to go out or away for a day occasionally over the next few weeks to ease the transition in slowly. I am also leaving DH to do bed time routines and transitioning him more into the primary carer role so it is not such a shock to the system for him with a nursery start as well. DS is now mostly weaned so only having a couple of bottle feeds. We are planning on using Skype when I am not home to make sure I am still in the picture. Good luck!

[OneDreamOnly]

OP would you ask yourself that question if thatchers your DP away for the week?
Would you wonder if he needed to take his dc with him, take him to a new nursery etc which are all very unsettling or would you think it's ok if he does that and comes back at the weekend?

Your ds will be fine. He will be with his parent. The bfing might be a bit more tricky. But the advise you've been given so far about leaving your DH take more and more responsibility is a good one. You might also need to wean him from the breast too.

Fwiw, my DH was away 7 days out of 14 for 6 years after dc1 was born, so not the much shorter period you are talking about, and dc1was fine. Your ds will be fine. And your DH will have learnt to be a fully hands on dad which is always good.

[PumpkinPie2013]

I'm sure your ds will be fine with his daddy and grandma caring for him

Maybe start trying him with a bottle or cup of milk if you haven't already to get him used to it.

[butterfliesinmytummy]

My dd was in nursery for 40 hours a week by 8 months ... dh was traveling 2 weeks every month. She has no recollection of it and is now a very well adjusted and happy nearly 10 year old.

[Happy36]

When my son, who was 6 last month, was born, I went back to full time work approx. 2 weeks later abd had to go on business trips for 1 or 2 nights at least monthly and often weekly. We have a nanny/housekeeper during the day and then he was with his dad (my husband) outside of working hours with my in laws living close by too. When he was 2 and a half I changed career which meant I was no longer travelling so his sister (3) spent far fewer nights with me away but the family dynamic is basically unchanged and I don't feel any closer to either child. Don't worry. You will miss him but he'll be fine and you can reassure yourself by remembering it's only short-term.

[mygreeneyedboy]

Thank you for the replies. It is definitely an option we are going to consider (like I said, the situation is unique and complicated, it's a degree not a job.) it's definitely the most preferred option as well.

He is a very clingy baby, who refuses a bottle. Weaning is slow at the moment and I have done 6 hours without a feed before, but I still feed him to sleep and do all night time feeds, and daytime weaning for that matter. This is why I'm nervous - it's a bit transfer of power to DH. DM in not worried about - it's just not 100% certain she can help out.

Anyway, we'll manage and it's good to here all the positivity :)

[OneDreamOnly]

I've done that too (2 days away every 2 weeks for 3 years) but my dc was a bit older than yours so I didn't have the issue of bfing.
But as others have said you need to look at it as if you were going back to work full time in 2 months. Totally doable.

[Pat45]

Green, it sounds like a great arrangement. Focussing on your studies will allow you some 'me time' which is great for new mums. The time won't be long going in and you may end up with a qualification that might get you work you enjoy.