Would You Leave Your Kids?

[skipper30]

I am needing some guidance. My husband is going on a business trip and has asked me to go with him. We would be leaving our kids with a grandparent for about a week.

That thought has me scared to death. Only one of then has celiac. I think the diet is tricky enough for us and we deal with it all the time..mainly the cross contamination issues. I am just wondering what others do in this kind of situation.

[flagbabyds]

We would get a celiac babysitter and that would be the best way so they would know about the diet, we also have a M sticker on all the food that i can have and all my pans and i have myu own side of the counter and that can also work better, my grandparents were really good about it though.

[CarlaB]

If the grandparents take it seriously, I'd leave them. If not, I wouldn't.

[Ursa Major]

How old are your kids? It would depend on how first of all they'd pay attention, and if they're too small to understand, their grandparents would have to be known to be very diligent with the diet, and taking it very seriously.

[skipper30]

The kids are 6, 3 1/2 and 2. The more I think about it...the more convinced I am that it probably isn't good timing. The 3 1/2 has Celiac and he does know what he can and can't eat...but I think that CC will be the biggest hurdle. Besides..I do not have a very good relationship with the grandparents and from past dealings..they would find anything that I said abaout the diet and being careful as a poke at them which would lead to a "family meeting" where I am told how awful I am...so I think that we would all be better off us to pass this time.

Thanks guys!!

[kabowman]

Sometimes that really is best.

[AndreaB]

My kids are similar in age 6 1/2, almost 4, and 8 months. My mother already things we are being a bit ridiculous since we brought our own peanut butter and fruit spread last time we went to visit her. She definately would not be careful enough about cc issues. I think you made the right decision at this time even though it may have been difficult to pass up a week alone with your hubby (aside from his meetings).

[jayhawkmom]

I just spent two nights with my inlaws. My FIL was *great* not to give my daughter any food without asking me first. My MIL, however... not so much. Granted, she seems to "get it" but yet, she didn't seem nearly as concerned as I am. So, my dh and I decided to forgo even going to the MOVIES since I wasn't 110% convinced she'd be ok.

I'm sure as your child is older, and has a better understanding and comprehension, it'll be fine. Until then.... if I were in your shoes, I'd opt to skip this particular trip. I think you are making the best choice for your child, and your family. =)

My daughter is 5, and doesn't "get it" yet herself. *Of course, I don't get it yet, either*

[skipper30]

I think that I just needed to "talk" through the situation. I just don't want to let the celiac "run" our lives...yeah right ..it already does!! I am just afraid that I sound like no one can do it as good as me and hubby...but ya know...right now..no one can. My parents are fantastic about everything and try real hard...but there are so many back issues with the MIL and FIL...that what may start as a food issue would QUICKLY turn into something else!!

[2Boys4Me]

Mine must be the only MIL to be trusted out there. I left my kids with her for two weeks in February. She baked gluten-free pies, and cookies for Ty to have as treats. AND she baked him gluten-free cupcakes and packed a lunch for him when he went to a birthday party where the parents spoke very little English. The party was at a restaurant (the parents of the birthday girls own it) and she checked everything and there were two people there, including Ty's kindy teacher, who showed her what he could eat. She made it very clear that soy sauce was often a hidden source, so he got his own steamed rice w/o sauce and everyone was very helpful. I absolutely trust her.

This weekend the boys and I are driving to Vancouver Island to spend a week and a half with my parents. This will be the first time we've seen them since diagnosis, but I've made my Mom aware of cross-contamination, and we'll go grocery shopping together and take lots of snacks on our day trips.

Ty is 6 1/2 and is starting to read labels. Right now, I read the label and he says yes or no as I read each ingredient. For example when I read the label on a mars bar he says yes, yes, yes, until he gets to "malted barley". Then he says no and we put it back on the shelf. Or if he asks "What's in a KitKat that I can't have?" Then I read the label until he's satisfied that he can't have it. He knows for the most part what he can/can't have and his big brother is usually nearby to help out.

[CarlaB]

Honestly, none of my kids have gluten intolerance (well, one does now), it's me that's sick. We still found it best to just stay with the kids ourselves. You'll have plenty of time for business trips with hubby. After 16 years at a travelling job, I'm finally travelling with him on occassion now that we have kids old enough to babysite overnight. Until our oldest was old enough to babysit, we didn't even go to the movies, as someone else mentioned here. If you just set up your life for it, it's not too difficult. Business trips really are kind of boring ... but I do get to go to nice places and eat out at nice restaurants ... I definately would be sick of it by now if I'd been travelling with him the past 16 years!! I still don't go on many of his trips! Just know, you're not alone ...