How long have you been apart from your DC's

[Justine2912]

I have been asked to go away with work to one of our other offices and its not driving distance so would have to spend the week there but that would mean leaving my DS who is 2 years old in a couple of weeks with my DH.

I have spent nights away before but its only been the one night and then seen him next day and wondered whether a full week would be too long and not sure how he would be with me not being there for a week.

Just wondered whether other people had left there little ones for a period of time and how did you and the children cope?

DS is fine with me being away for a number of nights - but it's all he's ever known as I started travelling for work again when he was 6 months old.

I really miss him, but he now talks on the phone to me, and being away means I get to pamper myself in the evenings and get really good nights sleep

I was apart from ds1 for about a week when I had ds2 (he went with SIL and his cousins - all of whom he adores - to stay with MIL). He was 21/22 months at the time. He was absolutely fine, and had a whale of a time. He didn't like speaking to me on the phone - that seemed to upset and confuse him.

If your ds is with your dh I bet he'd be just fine.

Hi Justine, have a look at the forces sweethearts topic; one mum in the RAF spent 4 months in the Falklands. It was harder for her than it was for her ds who by the sound of things had a wonderful time being spoilt rotten by his dad and Grandma!

The children, especially younger ones cope fine (too well really )mainly because whomever they are with really makes an effort to make up for the absence. My DH is in the Navy and has been away for over half my dcs lives; he is off again on Sunday and my dd keeps on saying "When is Daddy going? I can't wait for Mummy and dd having lots of fun"

In other words, it will be harder for you and your ds will hardly notice(especially of you get dh to be really hands on now with your ds to help in the transition!)

One or two days was no problem but I went abroad for 6 days to a conference when dd was just over 2. When I got back she would have nothing to do with me for a day and a half then she came around and we had a big bed time chat 'dd sad, dd miss mummy' etc and I said I missed her too. It was pretty intense (and she's a total daddy's girl).

That said, I really needed to go and I don't regret doing it - but I'm in no hurry to do it again and have only gone away for a couple of nights since (dd now 3.5). Dh often goes away - I think she just didn't expect me to do it too.

Sorry no advice, but today is my first night away from DD (18mo), just for tonight. It would have been from last night till last thing tomorrow night, if I hadn't've woken her up at 5.30 this morning when I had to get up - oops, poor DH (I was secretly pleased to see her!).

Can you skype him while you are gone? I said goodnight to DD tonight on skype video chat. Very easy to download.