Is three weeks away from Mum too long for a seven year old?

[gingercat2]

ExP and I have been separated for three years. (ExP also female in case posters think that may be relevant to my question, I am the biological mother and 'primary' carer, but ExP has always had a parent role).

Over the three years of separation, we have had various shared care arrangements but usually my DD, who is now six, has only been away from me for three nights at a time, except for one week at a time, aged four, when she coped but missed me. ExP now wants to change care arrangements which will mean that DD is away from me for a block of three weeks during Xmas hols (we live in Australia). My daughter will be seven the first time this happens. Will she cope or should I negotiate a shorter time?

[lubeybooby]

she's fine with you for three weeks plus at a time and it's just the same with fathers imho

my dd used to go for 3/4 weeks in the summer sometimes between age 4 and age 10 - hard at times for me but I just got on with it and she was more than fine :)

[gingercat2]

Thank you for your comment, it is reassuring. I might also post on AIBU for more traffic.

[MothratheMighty]

My DS went to stay with his GPs for three weeks when he was 7.
He melted my heart when he said 'I want to take a photo of you with me because I will miss you and I'll kiss it every night'
He had a wonderful time, and it ended and he didn't want to come home.
'But you will see your mum again, haven't you missed her?'
'No, I have a photo, so I don't need to go home yet'

He coped with being returned to my maternal embrace, but he obviously felt three weeks was not quite enough.
19 now, and still loves us all.

[gingercat2]

Thank you so much for sharing that Mothra

[itiswhatitisnow]

moth what a gorgeous comment from your son!