I know the feeling. I have 2 children 22 months apart and my husband worked 70+ hours a week and spent the rest of his time training to be a professional athlete. A good solution may be to have your mother spend the night at your house to get up with Willa, and put a fan in your room, ear plugs in...whatever you need to do to not hear her and get some sleep! Things get easier as they get older, I promise!

I think my son, Jude, was a month old. Since then he's stayed countless times (he's 2.5 now) and LOVES it. It's like little mini vacation. But he's never stayed over night with anyone but my parents or my mother-in-law.
However, that's not saying it was easy for me. The first several times were hard, for sure.
Just make sure you call often, provide as much guidance to your mom as possible - explaining the way you do things vs. the way she may do things. That gives you a little sense of control over the situation. I'm sure it'll be harder on you than it will be for Willa, because OMG grandma! every little kid loves their grandma!
But take advantage of the help and think of it as giving your mom an opportunity to build memories with Willa...

Somewhere between 12 and 15 months. It was tough, but worth the trouble. You may not get the rest you need this time, but this may be a good opportunity to become comfortable spending a night apart. It takes time to learn to trust yourself, your child and the caregiver (even if it is your mom) I don't leave my children often, but when I do, I know we can all handle it. Good luck.

Evan was 11 months. I went to visit a friend for a weekend, far far away! We both survived. I just called a few times to make sure he was ok and that he remembered who I was, lol. Now, about 3 times a year, my hubby takes him to see his family for an entire week. I actually look forward to the time to myself, but I sure do miss him.

My first was 3 years old and it was because I was in the hospital having my second. The first time I had a choice about him spending the night away from me he was 3½ years old. My second will be two next week and she still hasn't spent a night away from me.

the twinkle was a bit over 12 months the first time she went to stay at her grandparents and it was so worth it. yes, it was hard to send her, but the temporary headspace was gold. she's been a couple more times since then and she loves it. do it!

My oldest was ten months when we left her to go to Ireland for a week. It was for a wedding and we went back and forth on just taking her, for months. But in the end, she was fine and we slept well for the first week since she was born.

If you do it, I'd send the cat too. :) Then have some wine and sleep with come.

My first night spent apart was the black out in NYC: 2003. Poor DH had to deal with 6mo twins, no light, no electricity. We all survived. The "no nap" transition is one of the hardest. I spent many hours driving them around for a forced nap in the car, or walking them in the stroller. Even just a half hour made a huge difference in attitude adjustment for all.

oh those sleepless nights are THE WORST. I have seriously felt like I was losing my mind a few times. It's the worst form of torture.

The first night I spent away from Maggie was last month (but Dan was here), and then we did it again 2 weekends ago- that time, my mom watched her for us.

I wish you some sleep!

My son was 4 months old. He had not slept for more than 90 minutes at a stretch during that entire four months. I let him spend the night with my dad on the die I starting thinking that being dead would be nice because at least I would be getting lots of sleep. (Yeah, not a good place.)

He spent the night at my dad's for one night a week for next several months until I started getting my sanity back. (And he started sleeping a bit more.)

Let your mom keep Willa overnight.

E is almost five and K is two and a half and they have never spent the night away from me. That is ONLY because I have no one here, in Australia, who I would feel comfortable leaving them with/ anyone who would even offer. (Yes, Andy's parents do live here.) Once we move to Canada and the girls are settled they'll have a sleep over for sure. My parents can't wait! I think you should go for it and start now when she is young and can adapt easier.

After my mother passed away I didn't think I'd ever be able to leave my children overnight because I wouldn't trust anyone else. But - my twins were 2 and a half before they spent the night without me. We still wouldn't have done it if my father hadn't needed open heart surgery. They stayed with 'Nanny', their daycare provider whom I trust implicitly. I had high hopes for some nice, restful sleep while away, but heart surgery and sleep aparently do not go together. The boys were perfectly fine and had a great time.

Zoe was 5 months. She had a wonderful time and has gone for her sleepover nights at least once a month ever since. She loves it. You will miss Willa, but taking some time for yourself will help you feel refreshed. Give yourself the break you deserve.

my oldest kid was about 10 months old; I left for a working trip and was gone 2 weeks. It was very hard for me, but my son did just great with Dad. When I got back early in the AM, he looked at me, broke out in a smile and yelled "Daddy!"in greeting. My husband still teases me about it.
He's almost 21 now is a terrific person.

You're talking here about your MOM; not some anonymous caretaker. Go for it!

Why don't you try letting her learn to amuse herself? Does she have her own room?

don't listen to susan...with some kids like mine, letting them amuse themselves = poop smeared crib, sheets, toys and walls! blech!

my son was almost 2 before i let him stay over anywhere but with my daughter it was sooner because with 2 of them to care for I was more than 2x exhausted.

LOVE the suggestion of letting your mom come to you - if that's a possibility you should try that route.

being away briefly from your child is like anything else in life - practice makes perfect.

I would just like to warn you about the suggestion of your mom coming to you. I tried this, and it didn't work at all because I kept going in to "check them out" and of course my son would immediately latch onto me.
For your mom to effectively take care of Willa, she needs you FAR FAR AWAY, and definitely not in the next room. Willa won't transfer her attachment to Grandma if you are so close by.

First night I spent away fromP was at about 14 months- it was my husband's birthday and we went to a movie and had a night at a hotel, which sounds seedier than it was- it was just a night to enjoy time off. We also had another free night at about 18 months. I think it's very normal and rational to want this time out: parenting is bloody hard, especially with your husband working so freaking much, so you do deserve a night off if it would make you feel better.

PS(I'm not counting night shift because that's not the same thing- cos, dammit, that's just another working day. )

With our son we went away for three nights when he was five months due to an old friend's destination wedding. It was much harder on us than him, and I am glad we did not make him fly for such a short trip. I would do it, one night is not so long as you think it is. Another idea could be letting her spend the full day with your mom while you nap and have a mental health day...

I don't think mine counts since I was forced by the judge to let my ex take Soph at all of 3 months. For an entire weekend. Nearly broke my heart, it did.
But, I would NOT feel guilty sending Willa to Grandma's for a night. Nope, not at all. Healthy mom=healthy child. You deserve a break. And she'll be with grandma!

first child- 2 months old

Second child - 1 month

Third child - two weeks

Seriously, get a break. You may miss her but you need time for YOURSELF. Seriously, it will make all the difference.

My kid is just shy of 14 months and I just spent my first night away from her a few weeks ago. I actually didn't have that much fun (it was a girls' weekend and I didn't really know anybody) but being away from her was FINE, really. But I am always OK with being away from her so long as I know she is in good hands (and she was--she was with her dad).