DD1s first trip away with her dad...

Coming up this week, my DD1 (3.5) will be going away for 6 very long days with her dad to a family wedding on the other side of the country. It has been in the making for 6months+ but it didn't really hit me until recently. It will be the longest we have ever been apart and a 5-6hr plane ride away so I can't just wisk over to get her if necessary, not that I think it will be but not having an easy option is terrifying.

She went to the coast with my parents for 3 nights when DD2 was little and didn't bat an eyelid but I felt a bit more comfortable with that because it was only an hour or so by car if things went wrong (plus it was nice for all of us as DD1 got some special attention and I got some much needed rest after just moving house with a one week old bub + toddler). She is quite confident and independent and very secure with others. She is super excited, we have been talking about it a lot the past month to prepare her for it. We have skype with webcams, I'll be calling everyday. I think she will miss her sister more than her mum but I'm feeling a little out of sorts. He is a good (enough lol) dad but can be a little clueless and isn't as intuitive as we are especially with her speech so delayed but his mum and dad will be there (staying with them) and his brothers and I know she will have a great time. She's a great kid, follows instructions well, listens and helps...

I'm putting together her bag, clothes for every occasion. Her favourite toys, some books. I want to write a few tips and tricks and things to make it smoother but not sure what to include... so far I have stuff about fail safe food she will always be keen on (baby corn, red capsicum, broccoli and rice noodles) in case she gets a bit fussy (she is a really decent eater thankfully but I'm a stress pot)... ways we get her to sleep when she is overtired, songs she likes... just common stuff she might ask for so when he is stumped by what she is saying he can go through some of the options we list? I don't know! He never bothered to learn her signs so I'm freaking out. I'm going to make sure I reiterate the sign for toilet, food, drink etc before they go lol. My dad once got caught out when DD1 was signing for toilet and they were alone together at the shopping centre, he had no idea what she was on about, poor things. I guess it is a good thing she weaned a few months back because that is one less thing we have to worry about, sigh. What else should I include?

Tell me it will be okay! Any advice? Tips? Part of me thinks it is too soon, the other part knows she will love it and the decision is out of my hands, this is what was agreed upon (every Sat night + one week a year) in our parenting plan and it is for a wedding that she is in (her dad's brother is getting married)... I suppose the first time was always going to be hard and I would never really be ready. I remember how hard the first time she went for an overnight with her dad and how much I cried driving away, it is still hard but I don't cry anymore haha.

Ahhh my little bit big girl...

It will be ok! My kids go with there dad for a week each school holidays and it kills me but they have a blast. Skype is great tho my kids tell me sometimes they are too busy to chat!
Sounds like you've packed well, make sure anything conforting to her she takes.
And keep yourself busy in that week, go out, don't sit around worrying cause it will drive you nuts!

It will be hard and you'll cry and you'll miss her and you'll want her back but you will get through it. I am used to the week long visits now, but they killed when they first started.

The worst I had to endure was three weeks with no contact whatsoever. It broke my heart. But we only had to go through it once because I went back to court and had it changed.

It sounds like you are doing the right thing by putting your own apprehensions aside and buying into her excitement. I remember you saying your ex is a decent guy so I am sure she will have a lovely time and it will actually, ultimately add to her sense of confidence and esteem.

But buy some tissues and chocolate in readiness to help you get through :)

Thanks for the responses.

The big day is tomorrow... she woke up this morning and said "one sleep, excited" so that is good haha. She keeps bringing things over and saying "want to show nanna", "want to show doggies". We went out just me and her today to buy her some new shoes which was nice. Had a big weekend at the sciencentre and park and stuff. Maybe I'm a little paranoid she won't want to come home lol. A small part of me is bummed that her first 'wedding' won't be ours (tentatively next September) but that is pretty irrational. Keeping the crazies safely on the inside ;)

Feeling nervous but okay. It will be hard but okay.