Mother/toddlers separation for a few days

[DrFrog]

Hi,

I'm the father of 2 kids (aged nearly 4 and just 2). My wife is going to Australia for a job interview. We've organised the trip to be as short as possible (5 days) but I am concerned about how the kids will cope. I'll be looking after them while she's away.

Does anyone have any tips on how to minimise the impact on the wee ones?

Sorry, no tips, but I do wonder if you are over-thinking this - are they not used to you being around?

Sure they will miss her, but you could organise skype calls once a day, so that they know they will be talking to mummy regularly while she's away?

They will be fine. We went on our honeymoon when our dd was 2.7 - she stayed at my parents' house with dd1 - aged 9.

We were away for two weeks and spoke several times over MSN.

You are their dad after all!

Agree with the suggestion of skype. If she wears a particular perfume, she could spray it on a scarf or something for them to hold when they miss her. You could also make a calendar showing what day she'll be back.

But I really wouldn't worry about it. Loads of children this age spend a few days away from their mother (mothers in hospital having a new baby etc). It's not a big drama.

at that age they will hardly notice. i've gone to NZ for a week or so at a time and did skype calls but at the age they didn't really get it. What they do remember, are all the presents i bring back from NZ!

YOu could do a calendar where the 4yo crosses off the days until mummy is home again.

But I would chill about it, they won't get stressed if you don't.

Are you worried how they will cope or how YOU will cope?

I have utterly hands off 'H' so he would be utterly ill-prepared to look after my DS.

Why not take over the routine from your DW for a few days before she goes, so that you get into the swing, know what you are doing, and the DC are used to you doing it all and don't try it on...