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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To leave children for 3 and a half months?

1000 replies

elbigbx · 16/06/2022 11:44

Hi

Would like opinions on my current situation as I've had mixed feedback from personal relationships.

I start my second year of university (Law degree) in September and we have been told we have the option for a work placement abroad for half of the academic year, which is just over 3 months.

I'm a single mum to 2 daughter's who will be 7 and 4 at the time. I share custody with their dad and he is very open about the opportunity and has said he would have the girls if it came to it.

AIBU to take up this opportunity? I can pick anywhere in the world to secure a placement (depending on if I get accepted of course). I don't think this opportunity will present itself again but I also can't shake off the fact that I would be leaving my 2 girls behind who are my everything.

Please let me know what you would do in my situation. Luckily I've got a few months to really think about it.

Thanks

OP posts:
Surlybassey · 17/06/2022 23:32

In many cultures across the world, it is very common for a mother to leave her young children with trusted family members in order to benefit the family financially and socially in the long term. Those saying that they couldn’t ever even consider doing it speak from a very privileged western society position and to be fair, their viewpoint is based on their sole reference point. I guess what I’m saying is that what you’re thinking of doing is perfectly normal, natural and indeed commendable in many parts of the world so if it’s right for you and your family, go for it. Wishing you the very best of luck, and also remember that most men wouldn’t even think of this as a dilemma!

Change123today · 17/06/2022 23:33

If it’s an opportunity that can help your career or even an amazing opportunity then go for it.

If you can work with the children’s father to regularly contact and if possible home every weekend or even them to visit you?

Your daughters will be with a parent, safe.

Show those beautiful daughters of yours to follow those dreams. Choose a partner (who may end up an ex) but regardless who will support and make those choices :) What an lovely role models for them - both parents.

MsTSwift · 17/06/2022 23:43

Freyastorm makes a good point guess it depends on your field but the working hours for junior lawyers can be brutal - so they won’t be seeing much of you then either.

Divagal · 17/06/2022 23:54

Don't let others put you on a guilt trip. We women are expected to make all the sacrifices in a way that usually men aren't. It sounds like your relationship with the children is emotionally secure and given that they will be with their father they will be fine. It sounds as I'd you've thought about thus carefully including ways of keeping up contact. My only concern, having done a degree as a mature student myself, is that this is going to be a lot if hard work. You need to weigh it up with the benefits this trip will give you. It's for a relatively short time though it may feel longer for your children. There's lots of pros and cons - make a list as that may make it easier to make your decision. Above all, it's your decision, nobody else's.

dianthus101 · 17/06/2022 23:58

Surlybassey · 17/06/2022 23:32

In many cultures across the world, it is very common for a mother to leave her young children with trusted family members in order to benefit the family financially and socially in the long term. Those saying that they couldn’t ever even consider doing it speak from a very privileged western society position and to be fair, their viewpoint is based on their sole reference point. I guess what I’m saying is that what you’re thinking of doing is perfectly normal, natural and indeed commendable in many parts of the world so if it’s right for you and your family, go for it. Wishing you the very best of luck, and also remember that most men wouldn’t even think of this as a dilemma!

People are saying that they wouldn't consider it because it won't benefit the family financially or socially! it's entirely for OP's benefit because she fancies going abroad despite the fact she knows it won't actually benefit her career. It's no different to going on a holiday for 3 1/2 months in that respect.

Jon1978 · 18/06/2022 00:15

This is a great point. I am sure if it was a father the responses would be very different.

xmaswiththeinlaws · 18/06/2022 00:20

I'd do it, these opportunities don't come around too often. Choose somewhere that is easy to get to and from for a long weekend if need be so you could pop home or they could come and see you. It's not that different from a military posting (except safer and probably shorter). Plenty of people travel for work all the time. It will be something to tell them more about when they are older.

daisypond · 18/06/2022 00:30

Jon1978 · 18/06/2022 00:15

This is a great point. I am sure if it was a father the responses would be very different.

No, they wouldn’t.

Justkidding55 · 18/06/2022 00:34

I would absolutely. Your aspirations and opportunities don’t need to stop when you have kids. Explain to them, face time them everyday, send them pics.. will be amazing xx

Solonge · 18/06/2022 00:50

Obviously your choice…have you broached it with your kids? My kids were pretty clingy…we went away for a week when they were 3 and 4…my in-laws had them…they played up for a month when we got back, really upset they would hit me and then burst into tears. I never did it again. Then one of my kids is divorced and the parents share the children. If the youngest, under 4 gets upset he cries for his mum. Your kids will change a lot in three months…it’s a huge step. I think I would discuss with a child psychologist so you know the professional view.

crowisland · 18/06/2022 01:05

Have you ever been to Uni? Was it a holiday? If so, education was wasted on you. When I studied abroad I often was up studying till midnight. But I was able to explore new cities, museums, wander and observe different cultures, meet people I never would have me otherwise, travel on breaks, learn two new languages — and it all changed my life and set me in a new career path.

Diverseopinions · 18/06/2022 01:51

I've learnt certain things about modern life from reading this thread. To say first, I think the OP is great. She's pursuing her own self-development by asking for opinions, and, without any rancour over the fact that her post has turned into a thread examining wider issues, she gracefully says 'thanks for advice', and goes off to do the synthesis of for and against.

Again, nothing to do with OP, but people have made classist assumptions about how satisfactory are all the components of her decision, especially the children's father - perhaps because of an unconscious bias to see the players as sensible and resilient, because to be in the social bracket of a lawyer, you must be well-educated, well-off and with certain cultural capital. Although we know next to nothing about the dad, probability says he will be on a par with OP: healthy, stable and with the means to cope. An OP wanting to go away for an Only Fans convention, may have drawn more questions about the qualifications of the other parent to cope, in her absence .

The sort of self-development which involves ' aspirations' and 'opportunities' and 'following dreams' and chances that won't come again sounds utterly fatuous. I can't believe so many unknown factors are being bundled up and labelled with these abstract terms, instead of being unpicked and examined carefully with due diligence.

In wider terms, I have wondered before what privilege looks like, now that we all want to save the planet, and drive second hand cars, and I see, today, that privilege identifies with a certain peurile demand for self-actualisation - Maslow's pyramid peak, I suppose . It's not materialistic, but it's very individualistic, and not community-minded. I think all these ideas of fulfilling your dreams are rather deceptive and they don't work well in the sphere of human relationships. In fact they don't work well beyond the age of 21, and are best dropped in favour of common sense.

Libbyloo174 · 18/06/2022 02:15

Do it! i did when I was a student. I had the opportunity to do placement in remote communities and then overseas.

I left my kids with my parents and it went well. Kids were cared for and happy. My parents loved it and I got invaluable experience and opportunities I would never have got otherwise.

Nanof8 · 18/06/2022 02:18

I would go for it.
Like you said, you may not get another opportunity like this. And if you are willing to fly back a few times while on the placement then it won't be 3 months without seeing your girls. In between, there are so many ways now, to keep in contact you may not have time to miss them.

growandhope · 18/06/2022 02:24

@Diverseopinions WOW, what a post which I agree with by the way, that post has covered all possible arguments; makes me wonder what a person like you does for a living?

threatmatrix · 18/06/2022 04:41

Whether it’s right or wrong you have to go. You never know how you could end up full of resentment if you didn’t go. Like others have said if it was a man no one would think twice.

Aprilx · 18/06/2022 04:46

Jon1978 · 18/06/2022 00:15

This is a great point. I am sure if it was a father the responses would be very different.

You are right. If it were the father he would have been roundly vilified over his selfishness.

I think that if OP had just said she wants to go on a long holiday for three months the answers would have been different. And the reality is, that is all she is doing as this trip is not necessary and will not aid her studies or career. She is essentially considering a long holiday.

LuckySantangelo35 · 18/06/2022 04:57

Ah OP I think you’ve blown lots of mumsnetters mind by not being a mummy MARTYR!

They are outraged that you are not sacrificing all your own wants and needs! That is what they do and on some level resent it so are projecting onto you with all this fear based stuff designed to guilt you into submission e.g your kids won’t want to live with you when you’re back, their dad will want to look after them full time and deny you access, etc etc

it’s BOLLOCkS!

Notmrsfitz · 18/06/2022 05:18

He is as much their Dad as you are their Mum.
Its a huge opportunity for you and I think you should take it, as soon as you qualify and begin to practice life will change drastically anyway.
Children are very adaptable in well thought out situations with continuity of care and it’s a great time for him to strengthen his bond with them.
Apply and see if you’re accepted and then take the chance and go!! 3 and a half months will fly by wherever you are (home or on placement).

redtshirt50 · 18/06/2022 05:23

I would go. I’ve travelled a lot and it really enriches your life, when your kids have similar opportunities in the future you will be able to help and advise them / calm their nerves because you have done it yourself!!

come back every other weekend as you say, and if possible bring the girls out for a week or two for a holiday too.

Your kids will be with someone they love and trust, they’ll be in their house and will see you often. Then will be absolutely fine.

if you have it half way through and want to come back - would that be possible?

jadeyfly · 18/06/2022 06:15

My daughters Dad has the same opportunity with his Uni, he can study in the US for 3 months next academic year. I’ve told him to go for it as he may never get the chance to do it again and it may result in a job opportunity (he’s studying game design)
He doesn’t have them full time, just EOW, but we have a fantastic co-parenting relationship. We have discussed it with our daughters, and they have said the same to him. Go for it OP, especially if you both have a good relationship and can trust him with the children.

YDBear · 18/06/2022 07:22

LadyGrey1013 · 16/06/2022 11:56

Do it! Three and a half months will fly by. It will be a fantastic experience for you! Staying in touch is an awful lot easier these days. The kids will be absolutely fine with their Dad.

Absolutely agree. You can Skype/Facetime/WhatsApp the kids twice a day if needs be. You're never really out of touch these days. And it will be a huge experience for you. It's something you simply can't miss and will seriously regret if you do miss. My dad worked away for three months when I was four (this was in 1963) and it wasn't traumatic in any way. The time will speed by.

DucklingDaisy · 18/06/2022 07:50

LuckySantangelo35 · 18/06/2022 04:57

Ah OP I think you’ve blown lots of mumsnetters mind by not being a mummy MARTYR!

They are outraged that you are not sacrificing all your own wants and needs! That is what they do and on some level resent it so are projecting onto you with all this fear based stuff designed to guilt you into submission e.g your kids won’t want to live with you when you’re back, their dad will want to look after them full time and deny you access, etc etc

it’s BOLLOCkS!

You do have to somewhat prioritise the entirely depending, emotionally developing beings that you chose to bring into the world, yeah. Their well-being is in your hands. That’s part of the deal. You sacrifices some freedom and in return you get a different sort of joy and love.

There’s nothing admirable about being selfish, and asserting that men are more often selfish in this way doesn’t change that.

Cautiouselectric · 18/06/2022 07:57

I did this for my law degree! My child was younger than yours and it made a dramatic difference to my employability and just my basic roundedness as a person.
in years to come your kids will either not remember it really or look on it as quality time with their other parent who loves them as much as you do.
You will miss them and it’ll be hard at times but it’s utterly worth it.

Poweb · 18/06/2022 08:03

If it’s not necessary to successfully finish the course, I personally wouldn’t go. If I didn’t have children, yes I’d jump at the chance but when you make that decision to have children, in my opinion, you are ruling out being able to do things like this. 3.5 months is a long time in a little persons life.

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