What do you think of sending the kids away each weekend?

Is sending your kids away every weekend genius or selfishness? Sue Clohesy poses the question.

I'm not a perfect mum. In fact I'm far from perfect.

But I do my best and I do what works for me.

So far be it from me to judge another mother, but I am allowed to discuss them… right?

Enter the Rachael Finch conundrum.

Earlier this week Rachael told the world that every Friday her daughter goes to her mother-in law's… and stays there until Sunday. Every week.

She says it allows herself and her husband to "recharge" for the following week.

She also says the relationship between a grandchild and grandparent is one of the most important.

Is this the most selfish thing ever, or is this the future of parenting and families?

Now let's start by giving her the benefit of the doubt.

Maybe her and her hubby's relationship was deteriorating to the point of break-up, and they therefore concocted the idea to help save their marriage.

Maybe she works weekends and this is therefore not much different to the average form of child care.

Maybe she really does need a mental and physical break from her child, every week.

Then again, maybe having a child is simply too much work for her and hubby, and they couldn't possibly last a full week looking after said child.

Maybe they have better things to do on the weekend and a child would simply get in the way.

Well welcome to parenting as we know it.

I can't help but feel for the parents that never get a break, that would be choking on their food at the very thought of having the luxury of sending your child away for one weekend, let alone every weekend.

I also have to wonder how much quality time the child is missing out on with its parents.

Weekends are for the fun stuff, exploring, travelling, arts and crafts, cooking etc, but maybe they squeeze all this in during the week, maybe.

I think of what I get up to with my two munchkins on weekends and I feel sad that as a family they are not getting the same experience. But then, I doubt our families have much in common, I suppose.

So is this pure genius or pure selfishness?

I can't decide if I'm more jealous or disgusted, maybe a bit of both.

But then again, who am I to judge another mother… just saying.

Originally published as What do you think of sending the kids away each weekend?