Saturday @ Randoms and advice ;)

[MrsAxilla]

We're leaving Stella (22 months) for the first time over a weekend.  We're leaving the kids at the grandparents house, then driving four hours to NY.  Initially we thought we'd put her to bed and then leave, but now we're wondering if that might be traumatic - to wake up and not understand we're gone.  Do you think it would be better to say goodbye and leave maybe before dinner?  

[josieposy]

It depends on the kid. We've done it both ways and it has always depended on their mood at the time. Nowadays they could give a shit if they are entertained with something else at the time we leave.

I honestly don't think you can win or lose because you can do it successfully the same way 9 times and it doesn't backfire until the 10th. Try it one way and see how it goes. (I realize this is a total non-answer.)

[ttt]

Aug 15, 2015 9:40:39 GMT -5 josieposy said:

It depends on the kid. We've done it both ways and it has always depended on their mood at the time. Nowadays they could give a shit if they are entertained with something else at the time we leave.

I honestly don't think you can win or lose because you can do it successfully the same way 9 times and it doesn't backfire until the 10th. Try it one way and see how it goes. (I realize this is a total non-answer.)

Agreed. It totally depends. Personally I found that the best method was to say goodbye, then have grandma quickly distract her with something highly attractive (TV works especially well, even - especially - if they don't otherwise get to watch it). That way they know you're leaving and won't be unpleasantly surprised when you're gone but they don't spend an hour crying for you after you leave (which makes for a totally guilt inducing farewell).

[darnkatz]

I accidentally posted this on MM and not here. Oh well.

I'm still recovering from our trip to visit the in-laws. Highlights:

- I walked into the kitchen to hear my MIL saying to my two year old, "If you pull the doggie's tale, I'm going to have to pull your hair. That wouldn't be nice, would it?" She went to grab her hair and I said, "Uh, no. You won't be pulling any hair." Pretty sure this is how my face looked:




- We were shopping at the outlets because MIL wanted to get DD2 some shoes. A woman in a hijab walks by. MIL watches her go, then fake-whispers, "I just don't understand why they are allowed to do that. There could be a member of ISIS UNDER THERE. They could have a BOMB hiding under there." Reaction went as followed.

Me:

MIL:

Me:

MIL:

Me to kids:

Except insert, "Nana was" to that last gif.

[mominatrix]

TODAY'S THE DAY. We bring the kids to somebody else to take them for ten days of child free bliss, plus a Vegas trip.

They're so freaking excited, they've been bouncing off the walls for days. I'm cranky and exhausted from dealing with them, which is why they leave today when we don't fly till Monday.

The plan: breakfast, finish kid packing, bring kids to friend (far away, so a drive). Return.

Buy some only-legal-in-Colorado-and-Washington treats. Consume treats. Snack. Sleep.

Wake. Pack. Clean house (needed... soooooooooo needed). Sleep.

Wake. Airport. Vegas.

I'm kind of freaked out that this is actually happening.