When Can You Leave a Baby with Grandparents?

mama leaving baby with grandparent

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Here’s a common question that I’ll answer in this article about when it’s okay to leave a baby with their grandparents.

“I’m thinking about going on a trip we don’t really want to take our son with us so we’re thinking about leaving him with their grandparents. I’m trying to figure out if it’s okay for me to do that or if I should reconsider.”

-Anonymous

When Can You Leave a Baby with Their Grandparents?

You can leave your baby with their grandparents at any age as long as the grandparents are physically able to manage and take care of the child. Along with that, the grandparents need to be willing to watch them, and you need to be able to trust the grandparents.

It’s Not an Easy Answer

Like most things in life, the answer to this question is not very straightforward, and here’s why.

When it comes to grandparents watching their grandkids, I think many variables need to be considered. Here are just some of the questions you should be asking yourself.

Related: Daycare vs Grandparents

1. How’s Your Relationship with Your Grandparents?

I think this goes without saying, but you probably shouldn’t leave your kids alone with people with whom you don’t have a good relationship.

2. How’s The Grandparents Mental and Physical Health?

Do you have an unruly child? Is your child emotionally and physically difficult to handle? Does your child have any special needs?

These are just some of the questions you’ll need to ask yourself before leaving your child with their grandparents for an extended period.

You don’t want to leave your child with someone who can’t manage them for one reason or another.

3. Do the Grandparents Want to Watch the Child?

I know many times grandparents become the backup parents but not every grandparent wants to do that.

Some grandparents have already raised kids and are not looking to raise anymore. Make sure the grandparents are okay with watching the kids before you drop them off.

4. How Long Are They Going to Be Watching the Kids?

Are you leaving them for a couple of hours? Is it for a day? Or are the kids staying overnight?

The time frame will make a difference. Some grandparents may be okay with the grandkids staying with them for a couple of hours.

Maybe even for the day, but won’t be okay if the children were left with them overnight.

5. How Old Are Your Kids?

In general, older kids should be easier to manage than really young kids. For instance, a 10-year-old will not require anywhere near the energy as a four-year-old (generally speaking).

Use Good Judgement

To summarize my point, yes, you can leave your child with their grandparents at a pretty early age as long as the grandparents are willing.

Ultimately you as the parent will have to assess all the other situations to make sure it’s appropriate and works for your family.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions related to when can you leave a baby with their grandparents.

Yes, it’s okay to leave a 2-year old with their grandparents for a week. It’s going to be hard for mom. But as long as the grandparent is willing, you can leave a toddler overnight with them.

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Carol Lowe
Carol Lowe
8 months ago

I would really like feedback on the following issue. I am the grandma in one set of grandparents and I live right next to the parents of this grand child. I look after her from 8 to 4 every day it is the summer now and the other grandparents on Long Island have now got her for 3 1/2 weeks. Is it appropriate that I don’t contact the other grandparents with whom I am in good standing and at least send my love to my little grandchild all at say hi I’m glad you’re having a nice time my sweetheart and the parents should they at least check in it’s been a whole week and they haven’t done so and because it is the other grandmothers time and I think that in the future when there’s a little kid, who’s very very bright thinks ahead, she would feel abandoned by nobody connecting .. we in the adult will get all the pictures of her every day but what contact is she having which reminds her that she has other people who love her what would your advice be?