To be petrified of this at my age?

[Kreeshsheesh]

Okay, here goes: I have never left my kids overnight before. (DD is 10!) I'm going away abroad for 5 days with work (school). I was (am) very anxious about flying though I recently did a course and it has helped. I think I'm more anxious about leaving the kids with dh. I feel like I'm insulting him by saying that; he's a great dad and very responsible! Yes, you guessed it: I'm a control freak! Will I cope?

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

It will be fine. You can always be contacted by phone while you're away.
I think it will be good for you and the children and will make you realise that your dh is quite capable of taking over while you are gone.

Anxiety is horrible to deal with and often causes us to think irrationnally. However, you need to be rational about this, and resist the temptation to check up on them every 5 minutes when you're away!
Hope you enjoy the trip.

[M0nstersinthecl0set]

You're not leaving them alone! How has your husband never been on his own with them overnight in 10 years .
Go.

[SparklyLeprechaun]

Of course you will cope! If DD is 10, has she never been on a residential trip or even a sleepover? She will be fine, she is with her dad. Relax and enjoy your time away!

[BabyGanoush]

Enjoy.

Once I start traveling (airport) I am always comforted by the sense if normalcy and all the other people traveling alone.

[Kreeshsheesh]

Thank you for replies so far. Yes it's true dh has never had them alone overnight! I do have a bad life long case of anxiety! I'm amazed at myself for actually agreeing to go, but I just have to do it. I think I need to teach my DC that we have to do exciting stuff in life or it is no life . I've been avoiding it long enough. In answer to a pp, yes DD has been away on residentials a couple of times. She loved it; I was scared witless, but had to get on and pretend, especially for her sake. Hmmm yes checking up on them is a bad bad habit of mine. I will be ill if dh doesn't answer messages, etc. Wondering what I should do about that? Any thoughts gratefully received!

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Well done for overcoming your anxiety and going on the trip. I really think it will give you the confidence to travel more and leave the children occasionally.
It might be best to agree a set time with your dh when you will contact him, say every evening at 9pm or something, so he knows to expect a call or message and reply promptly. That will also stop you worrying unnecessarily if he can't answer your messages at random times of the day.
I think it's natural as a mum to worry, but try not to let it spoil your trip or take over all your thoughts.

[Kreeshsheesh]

Thanks ilostit. I think your set time plan is a good one. It's going to be a real wrench for me to go away.

[DiegeticMuch]

I know how gruelling anxiety can be. Well done for agreeing to the trip. I hope you enjoy it. Bring 'em back some nice presents!

[Kreeshsheesh]

Thanks diegetic. Anxiety is the pits. Gruelling describes it well; as does exhausting. I find that many people just really don't understand it.