Will DC forget father?

[PleaseHelpp]

Hi,

I have a toddler (2 & half yrs of age). Due to work commitments, his father has to stay away from us for the next 6months - a year. I cannot go along because I WFH.

There's obv video calls etc. But I'm scared my DC will forget his father by the time he returns.

At this age, is it common for them to forget? If DC forgets, will DC ever accept him?

Thousands of military kids go this long without a parent, of course they won't forget him

my dad worked away for 6-9 months a year when i was a child and i never forgot him, he wrote letters a lot and had the occasional phone call, that was in the 70s and 80s so technology these days with facetime etc will help a lot

Can he video call ? At 2 they aren't great for conversation on video or phone but can watch join in etc.

How far away ? Is it possible weekend visits etc ?

The wfh is a red herring.. you say you work from home which can be done anywhere. You work and have to go to the office twice a week is why you can't go

I think as others have suggested, video calls are a really good thing. At 2.5 years they will have developed a good relationship with their father and I believe will have memories as others have said, as I find my daughter (3 and a bit) will remember things from over a year ago.
My sister lives abroad and we might see her 1-2 times per year (if we're lucky) and have occasional video calls and my daughter knows she's her Auntie, is excited to show her toys and talk to her and her cousin, asks to look at pictures of her and asks to video call her (along with other family members).
It'll be an adjustment as my scenario is obviously not parental figure and hasn't been there every day since birth.
It might be worth (if you haven't already), preparing DC for this transition, but also allow and expect some behaviour changes, might be upset and needing reassurance etc as it will be an adjustment for you all. Maybe see if local library has any books it could recommend on this.
Wishing you all the best with this!

My MIL lives abroad and we FaceTime probably every other week - my children have always remembered her from a much younger age (even as a baby under 12 months they recognised her) and same with the other grandchildren

Presumably he gets at least 4 weeks holiday a year and you get the same so you can at least spend a week every month or so on the same place? Though if this is his existing employer and they are expecting him to temporarily relocate like this then surely they should be allowing him some extra holiday to enable him to maintain a relationship with his family? Afterall it's not the 1950s, they can hardly expect you to trail after him.

My children didnt forget their Dad when he worked away, but their Dad didnt really know them when he came back as they developed and changed so much, so he had to get to know the new them, and it was hard him inserting himself into our routines and life.

My dad often went away with military where it is quite common. I don't remember this age but am told first few days he was a stranger but then we picked things up. Later I do remember the excitement of his suitcase as there were normally presents in it! I had a great relationship with my dad and think kids can be quite adaptable.