Ethan has been going to stay with his Grandma on a Thursday for nearly two years now. Part of the reason he started going was because I went back to work part time when he was a year old. I worked Monday and Friday. On Monday his Daddy looked after him and on Friday it was his day with his Grandma. Another big reason that we made that decision was because I wanted to teach Ethan that it's OK to not always be with Mummy and Daddy. I also wanted him to form a close relationship with his grandparents and I'm thrilled to say that that is exactly what has happened.
I won't be returning to my part time job after my maternity leave finishes with Logan, but I'm very much going to be continuing to let them go and stay over with their Grandparents once a week. I can't believe how much it's done for Ethan and I couldn't be happier with how close he is to his family. I feel like a lot of Ethans independence comes from the fact he stays with them once a week, plus that he goes to nursery two mornings a week. I was a very clingy child myself and whilst I'm happy with who I am, I want Ethan (and Logan) to always feel confident, even without me there.
I didn't always find him staying away once a week easy. I used to get really upset and would just want to cling to him. It didn't help when he went through a clingy stage himself and would cry when we dropped him off (despite the fact that he stopped as soon as we left and that it was likely just for show!). I'm so glad that I didn't let my emotions cloud my judgment on this one though. I follow my heart when I make decisions and deep down I knew that having a little time once a week with other family in a different environment was only ever going to be a good thing for him.
And now Logan has started going to and whilst I thought I'd find it just as hard to let him be away from me for the night due to the invisible umbilical cord that I feel is between a Mother and her young baby, I actually found it much easier. There's not many people I trust with my boys, but Adams Mum is someone I trust totally and completely and so that helps. Knowing that Logan is with his brother helps and knowing what it's done for Ethan helps massively. I love seeing Ethan with his Grandparents, they have such a special bond, one I wish that I had had with Grandparents. I am so pleased that Logan is going to get that same special bond too.
I'm so thankful to Adams parents for everything they do for the boys. Nothing is ever too much and I love how they dote on them. Adams Mum gives up every single one of her Fridays to spend time with Ethan and Logan. I just hope that as the boys get older they'll realize just how lucky they are.
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