Worried about going away without my son...

[mountainboo]

Hi all, hope your all well. I am going to Ireland for 4 days next week, alone. Originally we were all going but we've recently been on holiday so my husband doesn't want to leave his business again. He is a very protective father and doesn't want me to take our son as he doesn't trust people to drive us around. I have no option but to go as you don't say no to the irish! My son is now approaching 16 months old and I have never been away from him, other than to work. I bumped into an old work colleague recently and I explained I was going away alone for 4 days and although it's not that long I was still worried. She replied with 'It's quite a long time to be away', I felt that was insensitive as I certainly did not make the decision easily.

Will my son think I have abandoned him?

[shanilisa]

This is a difficult one! When my son was nearly two I went away on business for 3 days and when i got back he was very clingy. I think it depends on the child in question. Last December my son at 2 and a half travelled to New Zealand with his father for 3 weeks...I think I battled more than he did - he came back and was his regular self. I think that your son will be ok if he is staying behind with his father who is his other primary care giver whom he knows well.

[redcrx]

oh mb. without sounding insensitive in the other way, little boo will probably not notice youve gone if hes still surrounded by everything else that is normal for him.
Ive been away (both me and MrCRX) and left ours with granparents before now, and tbh they havent been upset by it at all
But its your decision, dont feel presurised into going to please family if youre going to be so worried about little boo all the time.
Im taking little CRX to london in august, with Mr CRX, and baby (who will be 16 months old then) will be at nanas for the weekend. I bet she doesnt even notice ive gone lol.

[Picky]

Hi Mountainboo

I'm away from Baby Picky at the moment, and over the past few months I've spent upto 5 days at a time away from him (my Dad was dying, so I needed and wanted to spend time at my Mum and Dad's and we couldn't have him here whilst Dad was so poorly). Baby Picky was absolutely fine. Number 2 is due 5 weeks from today, and I'm spending the week with my Mum before Mr P and Baby P come down to get me on Friday and he is just fine. Don't worry too much, as little 'uns are pretty accepting of any circumstance, it's us Mummys and Daddys who have the guilt!

Px

[mountainboo]

Thank you for your supportive responses. I feel a little more at ease now. My son is a sensitive little chap, but as you say shanilisa, he will be in his usual surroundings with his Dad, whom he has also never been apart from.
Sounds like you've been through a pretty tough time of things Picky, I'm sorry for your loss.
Have a nice time in London Redcrx. I'm looking forward to the time I can do similar things with my Son; when he understands the world around him a little better.
xx