Morning all
I’ve always dreamt of going to New York and this year my mum said she’d look after DC if I wanted to take a trip. DC is 5 and I’m a single parent (though dad sees him once a month), I do all the caring with the help of my mum and wraparound care when I am work. I work 30 hours a week. My dad offered to come with me and as he’s got advanced cancer, it’s an opportunity to spend some time together as well. The trip is all booked and paid for, but now I’m having severe mum guilt! I’ve never left DC for more than a night or two when he’s stopped at my mum’s house. I don’t go out socially other than to meet friends and DC comes with me. Other than when he’s at school or I’m at work, we’re always together. He’ll be staying in our house with my mum looking after him as it’s the school holidays. I know he’ll be absolutely fine and have a wonderful time with all the activities my mum has planned for him. She’s honestly the best mum you could ask for.
I’ve taken DC abroad a few times and had some lovely beach holidays. We go away every year and even though funds can be tight, I save up and take him away because I think holidays and breaks are so important.
I know New York wouldn’t suit a 5 year old and a big city certainly wouldn’t suit him as he likes nature and the sea and I think it would overwhelm him. However, as the trip draws closer, I just feel really selfish leaving him behind. Am I a bad mum for going away without him? In a way I think it’ll be good for him to be without me for a few days and have a bit of healthy separation but I’ve spoken to other parents (albeit in two-parent households) and they’ve never left their kids for more than a night or two.
Thank you for reading ❤️