Going away for a weekend leaving a very mummified toddler, how to make it easier for him?

[MrsMagWeary]

My best friend is having a hen weekend in a fortnight so I am going to be away for two nights. My DS, 2.9 has got very used to me being around to get him up in particular, and to put him to bed. I've been on maternity leave for just over 6 months now so have been here all the time. Whenever DH tries to do anything it's met with cries of, "no, not Daddy, Mummy do it" so I don't imagine he's going to be particularly taken with being left with Daddy and DD at Grandma's for the weekend. Usually now, we talk a lot about things that are coming up to prepare him for them but when I mentioned going away for the weekend he got really quite distressed. Is there anything I can do to make it easier? I'm tempted to avoid mentioning it again and just deal with it on the day but I'd love to know if anyone else has tackled this differently.

Thanks

I find that my DD goes utterly bonkers until the door slams and she knows I really have gone and there is nothing she can do about it. Then she quickly stops shouting and moves onto something else. Like a Peppa Pig DVD.

Personally I would mention it between now and then, maybe not a lot, but definitely I would talk about it and not suddenly disappear, and yak on about the nice things he will do with Daddy and Grandma. Where will he sleep? What new toys will there be? What will he eat?(Ice cream? Chocolate? Toddlers can be very very easily bought).

Have you ever read this book? Owl Babies It is fantastic on the theme of Mummy Comes Back, Mummy Always Comes Back. It is much read in the frigatebird household.

Good Luck. He will survive. You will have a fab time- you deserve it!

Unwrap him

Thank you! I know he will be fine really. It isn't even the first time we've left him at Grandma's, or at home with Daddy. Mind you, last time I went away I came home with a very small, but very loud sister for him... And he may not remember that, he certainly wasn't as vocal then.

I'll look out that book, read it lots and then freecycle the excess cotton wool...

PMSL at usualsuspect!

Toot and calm him.

Lynli!