To leave my kids for 9 nights? What's the longest you've left them for?

[HortonMarket]

Should I be considering going on a 9 night trip on my tod which encompasses a conference and a couple of nights visiting a friend in the US leaving my 3 dcs? This will take 9 nights. I could just go to the conference so be back in 6 nights (or 5 if absolutely no sight seeing) but it would be lovely to tag on a visit to my friend out there.
DP and usual childminder would be looking after them so not too much hassle on the home front.
Kids are 8/5/1.5. Will the small one forget who I am?? What's the longest you've been away?
Feel guilty as it's not like I'm off nursing a sick relative.
AIBU? It's okay, I can take it....

3 weeks they go away every summer

I love it - sorry but I do !

That's a very long time. I wouldn't.

Glad you had a lovely time.

Mine are 8 and 4 and I still can't leave them for longer than a night.

I would. But I have to give up my dc for a 2 week stretch in the summer. I'm used to it but it is very difficult by the end of the 2 weeks.

All those of you with older dc who still haven't left them and say you can't see yourselves ever doing so I give you my first

Yes of course you should! Xx