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Original poster

Help! Have to go away for 2 weeks

19 replies

cybele · 21/03/2007 20:42

I have to go on an overseas trip for two weeks and am panicking a bit about leaving DS (4) and DD (2). They'll be with their dad and I'm sure he'll cope admirably but he's never been on his own with them both, and I've never been away from them before. I'm not sure how they/ I will cope. Has anyone done similar? Am I mad? Oh, and I'm new here. Hello!

OP posts:
Original poster
cybele · 21/03/2007 20:53

Anyone?

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Original poster
cybele · 21/03/2007 21:21

Ok maybe I am just mad!

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ScottishThistle · 21/03/2007 21:22

I'm sure he'll be just fine, have you written him out lots of helpful tips?

Hathor · 21/03/2007 21:25

Hello cybele - welcome. Main thing is not to panic. And look forward to the unbroken nights. Your dh will soon fully appreciate the task of childcare.

Original poster
cybele · 21/03/2007 21:35

Thanks for the replies! Maybe writing some things down might help.

DH is pretty good at most household tasks and already does most of the cooking, but he insists he won't be able to do laundry, and may forget to brush teeth (children's, not his!). He has also been somewhat gloomy about how DD will cope, as she is surgically attached to me most of the time and is a bit too little to understand how long two weeks is.

I'm definitely looking forward to the unbroken nights though, even if I do come home to a sea of dirty clothes!

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Original poster
cybele · 21/03/2007 22:11

bump

just wondering if anyone else has left their little ones for as long as two weeks.

Did they forgive you?

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Hathor · 21/03/2007 22:14

OK - you need to teach the 4 year old how to do the laundry and to be in charge and remember to get younger one to brush teeth at night!
Sounds like they will all be fine without you - just let them get on with it the way they want to - it will give your dh a chance to do things his way for a change.

WotzsanEgg · 21/03/2007 22:17

As you say you have to go, welll then you have to go! I am sure you will miss them more than they'll miss you IYKWIM.

I'm sure your DH will be fine and if you are busy it will fly past. Leave lots of nice pictures of you all around for them to see and maybe some little notes (saying how special they are etc) that your DH could give them if they get sad.

It will go quicker than you imagine.

ScottishThistle · 21/03/2007 22:27

They'll forgive you, your not leaving them with a wicked witch!

Original poster
cybele · 21/03/2007 22:29

Ha! DS is already in charge - laundry is obviously the next step! I know I shouldn't be worrying about laundry etc but I'm just a bit nervous about the whole thing. Bit pathetic but I haven't been away from home on my own for more than 5 years.

I'll miss them all tons, and it doesn't help that DH is being rather negative at the moment! I know it's just because he's nervous too.

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Original poster
cybele · 21/03/2007 22:30

No scottishthistle just a grumpy ogre!

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ScottishThistle · 21/03/2007 22:31

I'm sure the laundry won't pose a problem, it'll be good for you to get away - enjoy it & before you know it you'll be on your way back!

ScottishThistle · 21/03/2007 22:32

Will the Ogre have any support if required?

Original poster
cybele · 21/03/2007 22:44

A bit - our childminder has agreed to an extra day each week so she'll have them three days. DH will be working from home, so he may go and stay with his folks for a few days (they're not too far away - about 2 hrs drive).

Weirdly, my dad and his girlfriend offered to have DS and DD to stay for "a few days" but the idea totally horrifies me and I've made DH promise he'll not be taking them up on the offer. They've never even offered to look after them for an afternoon before - a few days seems a bit ambitious!

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ScottishThistle · 21/03/2007 22:51

They'll all be just fine & it'll be good for the children to spend time with Daddy too, try not to worry or feel guilty!

My Boss agonised over going on holiday without her ds the first time & I didn't have the heart to tell her she didn't ask for her until she called on day 3!

Original poster
cybele · 21/03/2007 23:00

Thanks, that's reassuring. Actually, yes, they probably won't even notice I'm gone, and will love not having to bother about boring stuff like personal hygiene!

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ScottishThistle · 21/03/2007 23:05

Stick a note to the front door simply saying TEETH!

lapsedrunner · 26/03/2007 14:43

I have just been away from DS(4.5) for 10 days. It's something I've done for work once or twice per year since he was a baby and actually this was the first time he really noticed the absence, but not in a negative way. To be honest this was the first trip that I actually felt guilty about, I guess because he is that much older now.
That being said it will be fine and your DD in particular won't notice the length of time you are away.

MuminBrum · 26/03/2007 15:10

I have been away from my DS (who's just turned three) three times in the last year, for eight/nine days each time. First two times my mum and my DP looked after him; DP was working away from home Mon-Thurs at that point, so mum did those days and DP did Fri-Sun. Last time DP came with me so DS was with my mum for the whole time. Obviously I missed DS, and I was worried that I was causing him untold psychological damage, but he has always been absolutely fine. I ring him at his bedtime most days (not always v. convenient, depending on time differences!) and he loves having a brief bedtime chat with me.
What is it with DPs and laundry? Mine is convinced he can't do it as well.

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