Anyone gone away without their children?

[babyblubba]

DH and I will be going OS in a couple of months for 2.5 weeks without our 2 children. DH needs to work for some of the trip so it was a good opportunity for me to tag along without all of the expenses it would normally cost. The problem is as it gets closer I'm getting more nervous about leaving my babies ( 5&3) behind! They will be with family so I know they will be safe but I'm more concerned about my eldest who is quite clingy.

Just looking for any tips that anyone may have on making it easier on the kids. We were initially going to take the webcam and try phoning most nights but I'm now wondering whether that may be worse and that maybe the out of site out of mind (as in the kids not thinking about us) may be better. What has your experience been?

And how do I make it more fun for them...should I do some sort of advent type calendar for them to count down the days till we get home (with maybe a surprise at the end of each week). Or am I just worrying too much!

[ThomasMum]

DH and I will be going OS in a couple of months for 2.5 weeks without our 2 children. DH needs to work for some of the trip so it was a good opportunity for me to tag along without all of the expenses it would normally cost. The problem is as it gets closer I'm getting more nervous about leaving my babies ( 5&3) behind! They will be with family so I know they will be safe but I'm more concerned about my eldest who is quite clingy.

Just looking for any tips that anyone may have on making it easier on the kids. We were initially going to take the webcam and try phoning most nights but I'm now wondering whether that may be worse and that maybe the out of site out of mind (as in the kids not thinking about us) may be better. What has your experience been?

And how do I make it more fun for them...should I do some sort of advent type calendar for them to count down the days till we get home (with maybe a surprise at the end of each week). Or am I just worrying too much!

Wow that is big one. We have never done that. Because usually either we came with DH (if his trip is more than 1 week) or if only a week trip DS and I stayed behind.
But whenever DH is overseas on his own we using video-conference thingy via Skype a lot. We can chat and DS can still see his daddy, its quite cute really...

And DH ussualy bought something everyday for us. Its hard (2.5 weeks) but I dunno am trying to be supportive, I am sure you guys will be fine. :)

Good luck!

[flick82]

Ive only done the weekend away Fri, sat & sun so was gone for 3days. I told my DD that she was going to her aunty's for a slumber party (She herd the word party and got very excited). I then let her pack a little bag of things that she could take. while i was away i called and when i spoke to her let her know that i had bought her a present. She was fine, It was harder on me than her and she is clingy to. I know its not that long but it seemed to work for me.

[LizzardLover]

i'd probably try to send them a cool present each on the first or second day you are gone - maybe you can send them a book and get yourself a copy too and then when you call them you can read them the story??

[Lastcenturymum]

If you are totally happy with who they are staying with and they will be happy with them, I say go for it - what a great opportunity!

Maybe gauge from who they are staying with whether just a call every couple of days will suffice or if webcams will be helpful or a hindrance.

I just had to skype chat to my hubby - just needed to see him and talk to him (he's a slow typist:D)

I like your calendar idea, that will be especially helpful for your older one. Whatever you do, don't feel guilty. Everyone will feel differently about leaving their children.

Edit to say, yes we have, probably a week was the longest when they were under ten.

[NibbleCurlynBub]

I have never done that no.. :no:

But if the situation seems right for your family then it might be worth considering.

[polony]

I recently did this... I went to Bali for 10 days/nights without DD (longest time away from her) and so I bought enough postcards for while I was away. One for each day. I wrote on all of them before I went away.

OK, so I went to Bali and they were Australian cardsbut DD didn't know/care.

Every day, my dad would put a postcard in the letterbox on his way to work, and then later on in the morning, mum and DD would go and get the postcard. DD was so excited every day to go get another postcard from mummy.

I just wrote general stuff on each. Things like, "In Bali, there are lots of frangipanis. They smell nice and are really pretty. Nanna has some growing in her front yard. Ask her to go with you to pick some"

or

"Bali has lots of cheeky monkeys.. they remind me of you!"

Stuff like that. That way, she didn't miss me, as I was still sort of there with her while she was having a ball at the grandparents place.

So maybe try that?

Oh, and you have to promise them a big present for when you get back... of course! :)

[JabberJaw]

My car broke down a few yrs back while i was visiting my mum in Brisse, the car was going to take a week to fix so i caught a train home so i wouldn't miss work and left DD with Mum for the week. Of course DD got sick and i didn't even think to leave my Medicare and concession card stuff with mum In case. It was such a hassle for DD to see a doctor and for my mum to get her medicine,,,so my advice would be Make sure you leave yr Medicare cards etc just in case.
And i love polony's idea about the postcards,,SUPER:yelclap:

Have a great time on your holiday.

[mrsmamo]

Dont fret! :) i think its a golden opportunity for you both (plus you'll be able to have a bit of 'couple time' hopefully).

My eldest sister went with her Hubby to Samoa for 2 weeks at the begining of the year as a bit of a rejuvination for them both.

My sis inlaws came to stay at their house while they were away so the kids had familiar surroundings (plus my sis is living in Auckland atm and the inlaws living in christchurch lol).

My neice (3 and a bit at the time) and my nephew (2 and a bit at the time) were both quite clingy but my sister kept talking with them about it, how mum and dad are going on a holiday so Lucy and Callum have to make grandma and grandads holiday special and help them find things in the house etc.

they were fine! if anything, they are less clingy now than what they were :)

[~mia&ryan~]

We went to Hawaii for 10 days when DD was 18 months old. She stayed with our inlaws. She had a great time with them. She had play dates with little cousins just about everyday. There was only once that she got upset and that was just before we came back. I don't think I could go longer than that, I missed her so much and we were soo ready to come home in the end. We brought her tonnes of pressies which she was super excited about of course!

One thing make sure you tell them that you are going, really explain it. Show them on a map where, tell them all about the place. That way while you are gone whoever is watching them can can repeat it all and they will feel abit more comfortable about the whole situation.:hugs: