Going away without my babies :( Advice?

[sneakysparkle]

Hi ladies, thought I'd just get some thoughts/opinions/advice on my plans for when I go away next week!

I'm going overseas for 12 days to do some charity work - and my girls are staying home with DH

I am rarely away from my girls - EVER (we dont get babysitters, they dont go to childcare or kindy) - DD#1 has only been away from me a couple of nights and DD#2 has never been away from me overnight! I'm freaking out!!!!

Anyway, Ive only mentioned to them in passing that I'm going, I thought I'd leave it till Tuesday, that way its only a few days before I go.

I want to make a giant calendar with them - with all the days I'll be away, and fill it in with all the things they are going to do - days with Daddy, days with Grandmama, playgroup etc etc

I'm also putting together some presents for them - we will mark the days on the calendar when they are allowed to open a present.

Now - with saying goodbye - its a bit tricky, because I have to be at the airport at about 11:30pm! I have decided to still take them to the airport - I feel like a definite goodbye (with them actually seeing me go) will be less tramatic than just waking up to find me gone. What do you think?

Have I forgotten something? Has anyone had to do this before? Any other thoughts/suggestions?

TIA

[Calluna]

I totally understand why your scared, the thought of leaving my baby even for an hour is enough to nearly bring me to tears.
I haven't been through this so don't have any experience but thought I'd give my ideas anyway, just in case they're useful... (Probably not though). Lol

depending on how old they are (sorry I forgot to check your sig)

I think the calendar idea is great! As well as the presents.
I'm not sure leaving it until a few days before you go is a good idea, it might be a bit sudden and hard to digest, but obviously you know your children better than me.

i think your right to take them to the airport too as not only will they be able to wave goodbye and see you leave, but it will make it a bit exciting too, it might put a bit of a positive spin on a sad event.

Are you going to have access to a computer with the internet? Could you skyp(sp?) with them every few days?

Postcards/ letters with photo's of where you are?

Show them a map and point out where you live and where your going? You could get a big world map or print a smaller one and stick it to the wall.

Are there any childrens books about when mummy/ daddy goes away? Surely there is? If not maybe you or I should write one lol

a special new toy to take to bed with them, it could be like your goodnight to them each night.

HTH, that's all I can think of for now, I'll come back if I come up with anything else.

[sneakysparkle]

They are 3, and 19mths.
My ticker is a bit out - I'm not actually going till Sunday night.
DD#1 is the type to over-think and get stressed about things, so I didn't want to tell her too far in advance. She does know I'm going away, but we haven't spoken about it in detail yet.
I thought I could talk about it properly the day we start to make the calendar.

The map idea is great! Will def use that

Unfortunately I probably wont have computer, but will have my phone on a few of the days. I was also thinking of making a few pre-recorded video messages?

[Calluna]

Ooh watch out for the phone bill. Lol my sil and mil just got 2000+ bill for using thier phones overseas! Not saying dont do it, just be careful lol. You could buy a cheap phone from wherever your going, it might be cheaper that way. Not sure though.
The pre-recorded videos sound really great!
it sounds like discussing it with them when you do the calendar is the best option for you or maybe with the map? That way you can show them at the same time.
ETA- I know some airlines have online flight trackers so you can see when the flight has landed/ it's status. Your DP could show them/ tell them what it says, I'm not sure how detailed they are though.
Btw, good on you for being so selfless and going out of your way to help others. You deserve a medal

[ss_storm]

For you - take lots of photos of them with you if you have space, maybe show them that you are packing them that way they know that you will be thinking about them too. What about getting them to choose something of theirs that you can take o/s with you (again space permitting) like a small stuffed toy that you can say goodnight to everynight (I know that probably sounds dumb) and then they can pick one that they can say goodnight to every night so it's like you're saying goodnight to each other...if that makes sense. same with the pre recorded messages, maybe you could do one that they can watch before they go to bed.

Love the map idea, could you do a basic itinerary with them and mark on the map where you will be on certain days so they can kind of travel with you. I think the calendar is great too, gives them a specific timeframe that they can see how long you will be away for, and also gives them things to look forward to before you get back.

Enjoy your trip, try not to miss them too much!

[Arimeh]

I don't have any ideas, but just wanted to say that I want you to have a fantastic time, and not worry about your babies, I'm sure they will be very well looked after.

Just think of the joy on their face when they see you when you return home - heck I'm even tearing up thinking of it, and they're not even my babies!

Have a great time my sweet.