Leaving DS for a work trip

[Widgetsframe]

I have started a new job that involves a week long induction program overseas, as the date approaches I am getting really emotional about leaving my DS, age 6 for a week.

I spend much more time with DS than DH. I normally do all school runs and have childcare for pick ups but I am normally first home.

How can I best prepare both me and DS for the separation? I have been away for a couple of days with work, overseas wedding etc but never so long.

My DH is going to have to have loads of time off work, I am going to suggest he takes a couple of days annual leave to take pressure off him (he has annual leave to use up.

Also what do people do in a similar position re contacting home? There is a time difference to factor in for my
Location.

When DS was 3ish I went to a week long workshop with work, then I was back for a week and then away again for part 2 for another week.

I worried about it for weeks before, but to be honest ds never missed me, didn't even want to talk on the phone, had a ball with dh and said a standard hello me when I returned. Although I was pleased they did well I was also mildly disappointed I wasn't missed more!!!

It probably made a difference dh didn't work Mondays and enjoyed helping him with dinner/bed/bathtime so lots of 1-1 time with ds was normal to both of them.

dh is self employed so worked some hours around nursery and worked the weekends/later nights when I was back to catch up, but he did lose out on some work so it did cost us financially.

I can empathise. I have frequent and sometimes quite long international business trips, and while it gets easier, it's never easy per se. My son is younger than yours, but maybe this will still be helpful. What we've found works with our son is reading his bedtime story to him over Skype while my husband gives him a cuddle and tucks him in. We also keep his routine while I'm away, so missing his mum isn't compounded by confusion/tiredness. He also gets a little penguin toy when I'm away that he 'takes care of' for me, and his dad lets him send lots of photographic updates throughout the day.

When I'm at home, our son spends his day with me - coming to my office etc. so he's used to me being very present in his life. My PA asks him to swing by once a week with dh when I'm abroad to water my plant, which he enjoys very much. My PA films it, to 'prove' that it's done properly, and sends it to me. We also do lots of voice notes. It was easy the first time, but got harder the next few, and we built these strategies in to help.

Thank you all, if I miss bedtime I will video call and sing bedtime song, I am hoping to be able to still do they.

Is leaving a daily note a nice idea or not?

I think that's sweet, maybe for your dh to slip in his lunchbox? That way he's surrounded by friends and fun at school, so if he finds himself missing you he will have plentiful distractions too.