preparation for travel without clingy DS | ExpatWoman.com
 

preparation for travel without clingy DS

429
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 June 2011 - 22:11

So baby DD and I need to travel for 2 weeks in late sept/oct for her medical purpose.
We cant take DS who will be 2.4 yrs with us.
He starts nursery soon, so he will have that.
Trouble is he is very clingy with me. He hasnt spent so long without me.
He needs to see me in the mornings and at nap and sleep time.
He usually needs me to sleep, altho i am weaning him off me.
I am dreading the trip, but I dont have a choice as I have to go.
DH and me are alternating his sleep, ie, one day i put him to sleep, one day he puts him to sleep.. and its going tough as the kid wants me.
Any other suggestions ladies so that I can make it smooth and easy for DS?
Oh DH will be here with him. Plus will come home early from work to be with him during the time i am out of country.
<em>edited by shaf on 27/06/2011</em>

429
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 20:31
Thanks ladies. :* LD Its so hard when the kids are in the hospital.. my DD was in hospital for 2 weeks too and it was a nightmare for DH to get him to sleep. But then we werent prepared then.. We are doing alternate nights to put him to sleep.. but unfortunately DH is travelling quite a bit so its more me whose still putting him to sleep. He also has playschool and also am registering him for other activities to keep him occupied. Fingers crossed! :)
1618
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 09:40
Yep my DD plays up big time if I'm in the house and DH is trying to put her to sleep, she's 2.5 yrs we have full blown tantrums and it can take nearly 2hrs to get her to sleep. If I'm out during that time DH has no problems at all, it takes him 5 mins to put her down. Maybe go down to shops or something and let DH do the whole bed time routine every night until you leave so it's not a big change for him when you do leave.
378
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 June 2011 - 23:59
Also it sounds like you've set up a good routine for him which is great. Where possible stick to DS's routine, esp. the bath and bedtime wind down. As you probably well know toddlers thrive on routine. Plus it sounds like your DH is a hands on kind of dad who'll be there to step to the plate. As long as you have a support system in place for your DS, he'll be fine. Toddlers at that age have no conception of time. They tend to just live in the moment. So although you know you'll be gone for two weeks he won't. He'll probably only realise you've been gone once you come back!
378
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 June 2011 - 23:32
I don't know if I have any advice per se, but I can tell you this. Late last year I had to spend over 10 days in hospital for my DD2's preterm labour and subsequent delivery, and was away from DD1 throughout this time. I too thought that DD1 would not be able to cope with my absence particularly since until that time I was the only one who had put her to sleep at night. She also happened to be particularly clingy to me. Well, I can tell you this, our LO's are more resilient than we ever give them credit for. DD1 settled into a new bedtime routine with DH. He never had any issues settling her and more importantly DD1 did not seem to be affected at all by the separation. I think I took it harder than she did! So trust me when I say, your DS will cope just fine. You'll probably find it harder than he will! Still it's a rough patch for you all. My heart goes out to you and I wish your little DD a very speedy recovery.
2782
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 June 2011 - 23:29
do you have a video camera? record some DVD's of you singing songs, reading stories etc that DH can put on when things go bad (or even if they don't). Tell him all about the big present he is getting when you come back. Have some new and exciting toys that can be revealed one by one to distract him while you are away. Skype.
 
 

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