Are your kids upset when Daddy goes to work?

[Shanti]

Yes DD1 gets upset some days but other days just says 'see ya dad!' and is fine.

DD2 is too young yet to care plus she's a mummy's girl they are lucky they get to visit daddy at the shop some days too which helps!!

[Rouge]

Yep. It doesn't matter who is working they are devastated. We're all the same.

DD10 wishes she could stay home and do school and DH and I could work from home. I agree. I know she'd probably miss her friends but we would all love it if we spend 24-7 together.

Unlike me DH wasn't able to stay home and raise them each day as I did. He still talks about how hard it was each day to leave us and go to work. I think the majority of women don't acknowledge how hard it must be for them that they miss out on raising their children. Yet when a woman goes to work everyone rallies to support her through the adjustment. So I would try and remember while it hurts your LO it probably breaks his heart every day too.

I hate that men are supposed to suck it up.

[Calluna]

DS doesn't really, he drags out the hugs and kisses a bit so he can't leave though.
I explain to him that Daddy has to go to work or we can't go shopping on Wednesdays.

Having worked in childcare, we always encouraged the parents to say goodbye. Sneaking out teaches them they can't trust you and you (or anyone else) could disappear at any time. It only makes it worse. They learn they have to keep an eye on you all the time, in case you leave. Instead we are taught to ask the parents to make it short and firm but caring. Acknowledge their feelings, tell them when you'll be back and that you love them, then leave. Drawing it out, in my experience, makes it more distressing for everyone.
So something like "I know you are sad Daddy's leaving, but I will be home after your nap/dinner/whatever. I love you."

With DS I have found waving goodbye helped. We would walk out the front and watch Daddy leave in the car. Not sure why, maybe it gave him a sense of closure?