Leaving My 4 Year Old for a Week

Oh, how fun!

They will be FINE. You don't have to "make it easy on him," he will be with his daddy.

Give him a big kiss when you leave, say, "Mommy is going to be with her friends for a few days, see you on Friday," and walk out the door.

Lucky! I wanna go.

I find that when I travel away from my kids, it's harder on me than on them. I miss them like crazy - but they are pretty much fine. Same for my husband. He travels for work often and misses them a lot while he's gone. But they take it as part of life and don't think much of it.

If you want to make it easier on daddy, then cook some meals and put them in the freezer for them to eat while you are gone. I wish someone would do that for me when DH goes out of town. The afterwork/school/daycare time between 5:30 and 7 when everyone is tired/hungry/grouchy is the hardest time of the day when DH is on the road.

You have a great plan. Just go and have fun and don't feel guilty about it.

I am sure your husband can manage and look at the bonding time it will give hubby and your son... wonderful! Your husband is obviously on board with this as he is planning his special dad time with his son.

If you build this up like it is going to cause strife.....your 4 yr old will pick up on this, then your 4 yr old AND your hubby will feel like you don't believe in them to manage on their own.

Enjoy yourself, come back recharged, you will feel better, you will be a more relaxed mom and wife as well.

Look at this as you are going on a mom adventure and your son and hubby are having an adventure on their own.

You don't need to do anything other than go and have a good time. Let your hubby plan the week for him and his son. You'll all have plenty to talk about with your fun adventures once you all get home.

Yeah.. here's my suggestion: Don't build this up to your son as something he should be stressing over. It's going to be an adventure (for you and for him and Dad). And when you get back you can compare notes on what you did.

The end.

Dad can do this. Have some faith in him. Son will be fine... have faith in him, too. Unless you have raised him to be unnaturally codependent on you, then he will be fine. And that fact may actually hurt your feelings a little. But it's a sign you are doing a good job and that he has a healthy relationship with both you and husband. :)

Enjoy your vacation.

i think it will be easier on them BECAUSE you won't have electronics. and your husband's idea is a great one.
they're going to have a blast, and so will you if you let yourself. don't go overboard trying to come up with coping strategies. if the parents aren't frantic and behaving as if the sky will fall, kids don't either.
have a wonderful time!
khairete
S.

You're such a sweet mom and wife to want to make it easier but what if you tried to...let them handle all the details? As Tf Plano/Allen pointed out your 4 year old may pick up on it and become stressed on that alone.

Go have fun!

What a great opportunity for father/son bonding!!! I'm sure they will miss you, but they will have so much fun together!! Enjoy your trip and don't worry too much!!

Last summer we left our 8 year old and 3 year old with their grandparents for 3 weeks while we took our 5 year old to Boston for surgery. I thought it was going to be SO hard for them--ha! They had 21 days of pure entertainment and spoiling--beach, pool, park, museum, movies, etc. They had the best time!! It was so good for my in-laws and the boys to have that time.

He will be fine, he will be with his dad, good hands.
Just be matter of fact. "I am going on a trip, so you get to spend time with dad all to yourself! You guys are going to have sooo much fun!"

Good memories for them.
Take photos so you can share when you get back.

Your positive attitude will reassure him.

Nope, just go an have fun. Don't do anything to 'prep' them or leave notes for your son. Just let them do their own thing and figure things out together. It will be good for all of you.

When my daughter was 3, I had to go be with my mom after her surgery for 5 days. All was FINE. Hubby did a great job - so what if her clothes were a bit mismatched. They will all be fine. Think of it as Daddy/Son time. Go and have fun and recharge. You'll all be better off for it.

They will be just fine. It is important for fathers to feel that they are fully trusted with their own kids. Let him deal with their time and just enjoy your time away.

If you want to give the child something to keep you in his thoughts maybe a little stuffed toy with your perfume on it he can snuggle with at night.

They will be fine. Don't worry about it. Let your hub plan their activities and you plan yours.

Just explain to him that mommy is going away for a few days but will be back soon and give him a kiss and hug goodbye...then leave. He'll be fine. Daddy will be able to take care of everything. LOL

At that age it's really out of sight out of mind for them. We worry about them missing us, but in reality if they are with someone they are comfortable with, they'll be fine. Have fun!

Sounds as if you husband has some good ideas.

You might write six little notes to your son, and your husband can give him one each day. Make them short and sweet.

I mention this idea because, when my grandchildren who are that young visit (and also the ones who are older), they have a good time with me, but they still miss their mama. From my house they can e-mail her or call her. If that were not possible, notes would be the backup plan.

He is with his Dad, so just to,and enjoy.

I have a four year old and have to travel a lot for work so I totally get this. I like the taking him out of town idea and having daddy/kid time. Another idea - send him postcards every day (start a couple days before you leave so he gets one the day after you go). You could also leave him notes every day that your hubby could read him at breakfast. A scavenger hunt with a clue everyday is also fun for kids at this age. Have fun on your trip!!!!

just leave them them ready to heat meals and enjoy yourself.