to consider leaving the dc for 1 week

[startofnewterm]

My cousin lives in oz and his mum wants to visit him this summer, she is not a good traveller and would like someone to go with her. She is not much older than me.

My mum would love to go with her but she is terrified of flying so she has suggested that I go (I am very close to my aunt and speak to my cousin on skype 3-4 times a week).

Not only that, but she has offered to pay and said that she will help my dh with the children. She has suggested that I go for the full fortnight with my aunt but I couldnt bear being away from the dc for that long so I have been considering going for a week.

DH is ok with it, havent mentioned it to dc yet. They see my mum and dad lots so would be very comfortable with nan and grandad helping out. I'm a SAHM so time off work wouldnt be a problem either. There is nothing really stopping me apart from the dc.

I know they would be in good hands but I would miss them terribly and its not that quick to get back from oz in an emergency.

Its also probably the only chance I will get to go to oz. Aaaarrgghh, what would you do?

In the circumstance you describe I would go.

Skype the children everyday, bring them lovely presents home.

startofnewterm OMG, you have to go for the 2 weeks. Sydney is the most fantastic place I have ever been to. We were lucky to stay overlooking the harbour and it was an absolute dream. It will be fantastic and you will come back determined to save up so that you can all go later on.

Would you be going during the UK school holiday or during term? If it's during term then go for two weeks (having first booked up some playdates at friends' houses and a cleaner/laundry person to come in at the end of each of the weeks) and enjoy it. Your children will be old enough to understand and will be at school for a large part of each day. In a year or so they will be wanting to go away for a week on school journey (albeit not at the same time as one another) and they'd hate to miss out on it because you'd miss them...

just a note - somebody close to me recently went to oz for four nights. even though it was rushed and they were tired they didn't regret it at all. couldn't go longer due to dcs. they are delighted they did it.

it can be done. enjoy the holiday .

Go for the fortnight! The kids will be fine with dad and grandma.

And enjoy it!

Startofnewtwerm: this is a trip planned for later in the year? You have until then to draw up the schedule you work to at home, INCLUDING THE HOUSEWORK/LAUNDRY etc and delegate what you can to the DC and make sure DH knows how to do it.

You have to go for 2wks, one because it is so far, but 2 if you go for a week DH will just about manage to struggle through without actually addressing the laundry etc. You will come home to a student squat!

Look at this as a fantastic opportunity, one for you to go, but 2 to show your family what it takes to run a home.

1. the delegated activities can stay delegated after you get home...

Carpe Diem FGS!

My DH and son (aged 8) are going away for 2 weeks this summer. I wont fly so i wont be going ...I don't see the difference really. Go for 2 weeks !!