How do you prepare your little ones for being away from you? Tell us for a chance to win one of TWO Owl Babies bundles, including copies of the book plus Ollie the Owl Sound and Light Gro Friend

[SorchaMumsnet]

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved Owl Babies with the board book and paperback editions of this bestselling bedtime classic, which continues to comfort young readers the world over!

“I want my mummy!” said Bill.

On a tree in the woods, three baby owls, Sarah and Percy and Bill, sit and think and wait for their Owl Mother to come HOME.

We have two Owl Babies 25th anniversary bundles to give away - including copies of the book in paperback and board book, plus a gorgeous Ollie the Owl from the Gro Company - the brand new sound and light sleep aid with built in CrySensor to help your little one sleep soundly under Ollie’s wing.

For your chance to win an Owl Babies bundle, just share your top tips for preparing your little ones for being away from you.

Buy the board book and paperback from Amazon

This discussion is sponsored by Walker Books and will end on 6 October

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For overnight trip with family we make sure all the favourite cuddlies are packed along with some treats and a big fuss made when they come home. For daytime always kiss goodbye and explain I won't be long.

I had to travel to Berlin last month for work so prepared our 1 year old by mentioning I'd be away in the run up, we made sure he was just as happy with DP doing his bedtime routine as me & made sure there were somethings that still smelt of me that could be used for bedtime so he still had a sense of me being around.

We planned to FaceTime while I was away too & DP told him what I'd been doing so it still felt like he knew where I was/I wasn't just forgotten while I was away.

Talk to them before and make sure they have all their favourite toys with them.

tbh this has never been an issue for us, our little girl has always been so independent that she relishes every opportunity to go it alone. if she feels a little insecure she'll pick up her bunny but she's never scared that we're not there.

Because I work, my DCs have been away from me since they were babies, either sleeping over at Grandma's or Grandma and Grandi staying over at mine to look after them when I am at work. Because of this, they aren't clingy when I leave because they are used to it.

Mummy/Daddy is going to X. They will be back before tea/in two days, which will be two sleeps/to pick you up from nursery tomorrow......

They get an extra goodnight kiss from the absent parent.

We leave with a bright happy face (akin to nursery drop offs) even if it feels like a mask.

We give them a good pep-talk beforehand to re-assure them but them also give them a contact point for if they get scared.

Mine have only ever stayed with my mum and they love going there . but w I always make sure they know they are going and for how long. I make it like an adventure and always use positive language such as would you like a sleep over with Nana. I wonder if you will make cakes or craft this time.

I always let my son take his favourite teddy with him. We encouraged him to form an attachment with this at an early age so that he would associate it with sleeping so that he didn't need me at night...we've been lucky as he has never had any issues with separation anxiety 😀

I try & plan a really fun activity for LO & I to do together, both before & after I'm away. I always explain I will be away (not very often though, & no longer than 1 night) & leave instructions with his favourite soft toy to look after my super-special little man :)
I also leave a Mr Men book under his duvet so he has a new one to read at bedtime, which usually helps distract him from my absence!

I make sure they have toys from there own house at nanas and that they have any comforters needed and that they have a similar routine my 19 months boys love the owl babies the first time I read it I didn't think my twin boys would be able to listen to the full story because usually any stories which are a bit longer don't usually keep their attention but I was really surprised they listened to every page until the end and now when I ask them which book they want before bed they shout" babies" and try to make owl noises

Try to be very casual about it, if they think it sounds like a big deal or you are worried then they will be. Also don't bring it up too far in advance because it gives them more time to build it up in their heads. I usually do morning the day before, so they know at bedtime that it will be different the following night and might ask who will read story or whatever tomorrow night

Reassurance that it's only x amount of time and then distract with a treat for while away, stay up half an hour later, watch a film with popcorn, an extra bedtime story etc

As they get a bit older they know they can call if they want to (when younger person in charge could decide if they thought it would help, but not mentioned beforehand to DC) never happened but they seem to feel happier knowing they can

We just did it gradually but better when they are young and get used to it as they grow up. All our kids have been fine as they have always been surrounded by family and friends so have no problems when we are away.

Help him pack a bag and decide what he wants to take , discuss what he will be doing and when I will be back. I miss him more than he misses me !

I give them a top of mine with my spray on it and say that I will always be there!

I've always encouraged them to spend time over at family and friends - as an army family there are many reasons why this can happen suddenly. They have their own favourite toy and that's all they've ever needed!

Explain where I was going. Say I would be back and then not linger for the goodbye however hard that is (it just makes it worse in my experience)

The only time I've had to be away from my kids, my husband was with them, so they were fine. I just told them the truth, where I was going and when I'd be back.

I have tried to make my little boy as I dependant as possible from an early age. He happily goes off to nursery and now school as long as he has familiar things with him e.g. His water bottle and soft toy as long as he knows in the morning who will pick him up that day. He doesn't like surprises!

I make sure they have plenty of time with whoever is looking after them before we leave. I explain that we're going out and when we'll be back (in relation to their day) so they don't worry that we've got lost or have forgotten them.

Always tell them and reassure them you are coming back. Start going out for short periods and coming back so they get used to it. If you are going for a while, promise them a treat.

Explain how much fun they will have, let them choose a favourite toy and help pack their bags and just keep reminding them they will be back very soon

I think the most important thing is that they feel secure all the time as then they'll always be confident that you'll be back! Having their favourite toy/comforter gives them something familiar and always let them know exactly when you'll be back (and make sure you stick to it!!)

Explain as much as possible to them, who they can expect to be there, what they can expect to do and how much of an adventure it will be

Pack their favourite cuddly toy or blanket or whatever it is. Explain when you will be back (dinner, breakfast etc). Let them know what they are going to be doing & what to expect