Ok, so my husband has had planned to go with his family to NC this weekend for his nieces birthday. Its about an 8-10 hr drive. I was not planning on going because we have 2 dogs that I was going to stay with and I also have one of my best friend's baby showers to go to. Our 3 yr old was going to stay here with me. My husband is leaving on Friday and coming back Sunday. My other gf was going to watch my son when I went to the shower. Well now, her son has Strep! so she can't watch my son. So my husband wants to take my son with him to NC. I just think its too much. 8-10 drive to stay for 1 day then turn around and drive 8-10 hrs back. What do you think? would you be ok with your husband taking your 3 yr old on such a long, but short trip?
My husband has taken him for the weekend before, so I am not worried about his capability to handle him- he knows what he's getting into. I am more worried about my son being exhausted from such a long car ride 2 times in 3 days!
Thanks Ladies. Your almost unanimous vote makes me feel much better. Although, now my son is saying he doesn't want to go with my husband and wants to stay with me! (he's a very big mom's boy!) So my DH and I are going to decide what to do. But thanks nonetheless!
If I were you, my question wouldn't be 'should they go?', it'd be 'are they gone YET??' LOL
They'll be fine. Yes, it's a long drive....but it'd be JUST as long as if you went too, plus this way YOU get some time alone :o)
Sorry, I just don't see the dilema :o)
Family is such a gift. And so is a father who so loves his child that he thinks spending time with him on a roadtrip would be fun. Let them go. He is 3 and has tons of resiliency to bounce back from a couple days of a crazy schedule.
Since it is a short trip and it's for family, let him go and enjoy the break. He'll probably regret it but it is his idea and once he's on the road it will be too late to change his mind.
The alternative is to take him with you to the shower (which I also don't see a problem with).
Let them go!!! Male bonding time is a good thing.
And you get a weekend all to yourself - BONUS!!!
He will be fine, why do so many of you wives use the word LET your husband he is as much as a parent as you are gee ladies, Were wives not our husbands bosses. J.
Hi Erin,
Yes absolutely - he should take his son. He's 3, not a baby and they are the same gender so no bathroom issues. I think this is a fan-tab-u-lous experience for ALL of you. and YOU get a weekend to yourself.
If you're worried about cartime - stock up on kid cd's and/or a dvd player. Dad will have to figure out how to do it - what a good experience for them both!!!!!!!
Help them pack, buy them some juiceboxes and do a happy dance when they leave.
Have a good weekend!
What fun for your son to be with Dad the whole weekend. Let him go.
Obviously he does well on long trips. They will make memories!
Hubby is taking our 3 yr old on a 10 hr drive next month. They have done several trips together...it's a great experience for them both and YOU!
let them go. Your son will most likely sleep half the time. My 3 year old does. Also, take a DVD player for the trip. It will keep him entertained when sitting in the back seat. We just use a bungy cord to attach ours to the front seat head rest.
It will be good for them to spend time as just Daddy and son. My husband drove to a family wedding for the weekend when I was 8 months pregnant. I didn't want to be on the road that far along so I told him to go with our daughter. They had a great time together!
This sounds great! Hubby and son will survive!
Go to the baby shower, go out for coffee, get a pedicure, watch dumb TV past your bedtime, sleep in late, eat potato chips for breakfast, go shopping, linger, leave your watch at home.
If your son becomes exhausted, he can sleep in the car! How great that your husband is so capable and knows what he is getting into. Let them have a guys weekend away and enjoy your time off!
would you let your husband take your 3 yr old on such a long, but short trip?
I don't think you can say "let" here. He's the father and your husband. I never understand why so many wives/mothers think they can "let" their husbands do, or not do something. Of course he should be able to take him, with him. And besides, it would be a great bonding experience with father and son.
I took a similar trip w/ my mother when our son was two. We left Friday evening and came back Sunday. It was an 8 hr drive. Our son is 4 1/2 and still talks about that trip he took with mommy and grandma!
Tell your husband and son to go and have a great time!!!
Let him go. It's an adventure! My oldest wasn't even that old when we did our first trip. It was an 8 hour drive and he was fine. We played lots of books on tape, sang songs, etc. We just made sure he had his favorite stuffy with him, plenty of snacks and extra clothes just in case, and we were great! (Just to clarify, we had the same type of schedule your husband is looking at and it didn't seem to impact J much at all.) He's gone on tons of road trips since then (he's 8 1/2 now), even going into Canada with my M.. So I really think your little guy will be fine as long as your husband plans to stop regularly to let him use the toilet and run around a few minutes.
Your son will be great.
He will have fun with dad and the relatives. You will have fun at the shower.
I am a little concerned by your words... "would you let your husband take your 3 yr old". He is the father, of course he should take his son on the trip. Maybe you need to think about why you feel you would be allowing your husband to do anything. He is equally your sons parent as you are.
Your son will probably sleep a lot and be off his schedule for a few days, but what a great time they will have.
Can he take my kids too?? :o)
Enjoy your weekend and have a great time at the party and know the little one is in the best hands possible, although in the backseat of a car. He'll be fine.
Absolutely. Just like my husband lets me take DS with me on trips to see my folks (5 hour plane ride for a long weekend).
They will be fine. Let them have they're guy time and you enjoy the girl time :)
I would be fine with it... Daddy's know of ways to make the trip fun... I actually think it would be a great experience for your husband and son, maybe he won't remember everything, but I'm sure your husband will have stories for years to come about it...
My husband lost his dad when he was 2 years old, doesn't remember anything about him, other than the stories that he hears... His parents weren't married and his dad was from Arkansas and his M. from Illinois and his dad would take him back and forth... Everyone tells him how he loved the car rides and how his dad made a spot on the floor for his carrier (that was before all the laws we have)... Anyway, he smiles so big every time he hears someone telling him that or even when he tells me...
I think you should be happy and let him go...
Pack your son up and enjoy a weekend to yourself. Your 3 year old will be just fine and so will your husband. Great memories for your husband and you get the rest and relaxation every mother longs for.
Heck could your husband pack my tribe in the car with him? ;-) I could use a weekend without the boys.
Pack a bag of clothes, snacks, water, games, books, etc. And then wave good-bye.
Sounds like there is a lot of family where they are going, and I'm sure your son will have a great time.
They will survive, and you'll have a quiet weekend to yourself.
My husband takes our 2 older kids away twice a year for a camping trip 4 hours away. He started taking the kids when they were 3. They LOVE the time with their dad and they all look forward to going.
Your son will get to spend time with his aunt, uncle and cousin and maybe grandparents and you get a weekend to relax!! WIN-WIN
Yes, I would absolutely let my hubby take his own child on a road trip...even if it is so much driving and so short a time, it's an adventure M.!
If you can convince your hubby to leave really late or way early on Friday and the same on Sunday, your child could possibly even sleep part of the way.
He will more than likely have a blast with just his dad, what a great bonding moment! He will get to see his family...it sounds fun!
~I feel compelled to tell you that I LOVE road trips! Last year, I took my 2 year old on a road trip from Spokane, Wa. to Sacramento, Ca. (easily 24 hour drive) stayed 2 days then drove from Sac to Riverside, Ca. (which is on the other end of Ca) stayed 3 days, back to Sac for 4 days then back home to Wa. My daughter was terrific! Had a blast, got to see my my M. and all my cousins. I couldn't get her to stop saying 'Mooo' when she saw a cow, which there were tons of, still makes me smile when I think of it now!
Only you can say for sure. It IS a long ride, and would be hard on a child. I totally understand that. But it would probably be fun for your son too!
On a side note, Julie L. I have read 2 of your responses today and they all condemn ladies for using the word "let" in reference to their husbands. Using the word "let" in that context does not mean that these women are treating their husbands like kids. We can't know exactly how the situation is by reading a few words that someone has written. Please give people the benefit of the doubt!
Heck ya I'd let dad take him!! It's 8-10 hours...but it's bonding time with dad!! Love it! I can't believe your husband actually volunteered for it. I say let them go. You may have a grumpy kid when he gets back, but I totally think it's worth it.
L.
I used to live in Jackson!!
I've done this, VA to Western NY and back. Yes its a long trip but you stop and see the sights. Let him go. At the very least he'll learn something.
He will be fine. Let him try. How else will he get used to this drive to see family if he doesn't do it? Your husband can plan to leave in plenty of time for stops. I took all three of my kids on an 8 hour round-trip once alone. (4 hrs there and 4 hrs back.) My kids were 9, 5, and 6 months at the time. On the way there we stopped for lunch then the youngest 2 napped. Once there we visited for an hour or so. (We were taking my cousin home after my grandfather passed away.) On the way back, we had dinner and they all slept after that.
So, maybe he can plan 3 stops along the way. I'm sure there are parks or something on the way. Most rest areas at the very least have tables and pretty nice restrooms, if not a play area also. :) A 30 minute stop can really rejuvenate one for the trip!
Take the vacation! Even if it's a short one... the downtime will be worth it. I've been home alone for the past 5 days and while I'm glad my husband and son are coming home tonight, a couple more days alone wouldn't have killed me either!:)
He's young I think he will be fine. Take a weekend for youself! lol
We drive to Florida and back from PA ... it's an 18 hr drive we do straight through. Our daughters have been doing it since our oldest was 3. He'll be just fine. He's going with Dad, not a stranger, and will be seeing relatives. Let him go.
I say send him. Everyone involved will have a good time!
I agree it's too long of a ride for him to sit still.
Mark my word.......your husband will most likely want to fight you on this and take your son w/him.
So I say.........SKIP THE SHOWER AND GO WITH YOUR HUBBY AND CHILD TO NC.
It will be too hard for your hubby to make the trip and I guarantee you he is not going to want to stop as often as your child will need. Potty breaks, sit down for real food, stretch his legs, get out of the car seat etc.
Oh and if you do let him take him: buy a bunch of new toys he hasn't seen so that he can play w/them in the car when he's bored.
I would encourage it (we do 14 hour road trips at least twice a year, our three year old is fine....she falls asleep a lot and seems to view it as a whirlwind adventure).
He's 3 - and I doubt he has to operate heavey machinery...he's a kid...he'll be fine...and really some time yourself? I would jump on that.
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Your son is 3 and most likely will sleep the way home and be rested...if you are not worried that your husband will take good care of him...what is your worry. Maybe he can take another family member along for the ride and an extra hand. Could be a good adventure for them!
he will have others to amuse him while he drives and food and toys and a DVD player. i know my kids could not handle it good luck
let him go....enjoy your alone time....yahoo for you!!!
That is a LONG drive.
Has your Husband, EVER taken care of your son, for that long?
If not, he may be in for a shock about how much juggling it can be.
Is he responsible and has good common sense and judgment?
If so, then he will probably be fine.
He will need to make a lot of stops, along the way, for your son to get out of the car and just chill or use the bathroom.
Can't they fly instead?
More than likely your son will sleep the majority of the trip. The only thing I would worry about is getting him back on his sleep schedule when he returns.
Let him take him..I'm sure you could use the break.
So he sleeps a bit extra when he gets back. What a great thing that your husband wants to take him - the start of father son bonding. Yesyesyes!
Is there a way to entertain your son in the car? I'd think with a 3 year old, it's more like a 10-12 hour trip, probably.
Is there a way they could stay another day?
Personally, I don't think it's the best idea, but you know your son best.
Ha, I just had this discussion w/ my husband the other night about him taking our son(age 3) on a plane to visit family more than half way across the country for an entire week. I've never been away from him so I was like "No Way!". I wondered if I was overreacting...I'm curious to hear what other people have to say about your question.
