Very different situation, but...
My youngest sister has Down's Syndrome. My family was offered respite care through the state, a few weekends a year.
My parents used it ONCE, to take us two older girls away on a Scout weekend where my younger sister just couldn't keep up.
Even though she was very young at the time, and excited about her own sitter, she knew she was being left behind and it really hurt her feelings.
My youngest sister has Down's Syndrome. My family was offered respite care through the state, a few weekends a year.
My parents used it ONCE, to take us two older girls away on a Scout weekend where my younger sister just couldn't keep up.
Even though she was very young at the time, and excited about her own sitter, she knew she was being left behind and it really hurt her feelings.