leaving kids for the first time

My wife and I are going away for 3 nights tomorrow afternoon. It is the first time we will both be away from the twins for an extended amount of time. We have stayed over night, but that is about it. My mom is staying at our house. They adore her!!

We are leaving in the middle of their nap. They will be 2 in sept, what do we tell them if anything at all??

TIA

Message edited 8/15/2013 8:27:59 PM.

Re: leaving kids for the first time

It is breaking my heart to think about tucking them in and not saying goodbye, but then again I do want them to sleep. Does anyone have experience with this at this age?

Re: leaving kids for the first time

My DH and I do this once in a while. We just tell them we will be home soon, they are staying with grandma and grandpa and talk up all the fun things they are planning... when my DD was 2, she would be okay, might cry for a few seconds and go on as nothing happened.. as she got older its gotten harder.. I think she really gets it now that we are going away for a few days... my DS (who is 2 now) is VERY attached to me, but he is okay when we leave if we reassure him we are coming back and give him lots of kisses and hugs.. If they cry.... One thing I do with my daughter is she asks me for something to remember me by so I usually leave something small like a scarf, sometimes a necklace.. lol... or a picture.. just know that within minutes they will be fine with grandma.. they always are... (or at least thats what grandma tells me....) We also call and check in on them, see if they want to talk to us.. and my mom or dad or in laws will judge whether or not its a good time... good luck and enjoy!!!!

Re: leaving kids for the first time

Do you have to leave during their nap? In all honesty, the best thing for kids is for them to see their parents leave and then come back. It teaches them to trust that their parents always come back. When parents leave when they are sleeping or sneak out, it can be more upsetting for them.

If it's not possible for you to leave while they are awake, I would still talk to them about it beforehand and, in very simple turns, tell them that you are going bye bye and that you will be back and that grandma will be staying with them. Talk about the fun things that grandma will do with them.

Re: leaving kids for the first time

DD was 2 in May but we have always talked to her about any changes in her routine since she was itty bitty. I find at this age it really helps to tell them about a change beforehand. Even if it's just when I will leave early for work the next day and her dad has to get her ready in the AM. I prep her the night before. Did the same for her "sleep over" at Gma's house a few weeks ago. And I did leave during her nap but reminded her before she went down what the plan was. In the end, they will be fine. You two will be the messes!! Have a nice trip and enjoy!!

Re: leaving kids for the first time

DS was older......around 3.....the first time we left him for an extended period of time.

Both DH and I cried from my parents house probably until we made it to the Tappanzee Bridge.

He also knew what was coming, so he was crying too, but was fine about 5 minutes after we left.

Now it's so much easier and if his grandparents offer to take him, we get those bags packed right away.

Re: leaving kids for the first time

P.S. This reminds me. He is leaving this weekend for a WEEK with his grandparents.

FREEDOM!!!!!!

Re: leaving kids for the first time

I agree with PP- if at all possible, say goodbye to them. If it means leaving before their nap, then do that and go grab lunch with your wife before travelling

But in seriousness, it will be a better situation for them if they see you leave because they will understand you are leaving instead of just waking up to you being gone. If they cry, it won't be for long.

Have a great trip!!!

Re: leaving kids for the first time

Re: leaving kids for the first time

It all worked out. We explained the day over breakfast. My mom came down from Albany by 11. We all tucked them in for their nap. And we were gone when they woke up and they had a great afternoon.
Thanks for all the input girls!

leaving kids for the first time

I went away for a weekend with dh last year a month before ds turned 2. Personally for me it was easier to leave during nap. The few days before I started talking about how we were going on a trip and grandma was going to sleep over. The day before I talked about what the plans were for him (see the animals, go to the playground, go shopping) that morning I talked about how mommy will put you down for a nap but when he wakesup that grandma was ggoing to be there.

He went down for nap fine, was a little taken back when he woke up but my mom reminded him of the plans they had and he was fine!!

I plan on doing the same thing this year when we go away for another weekend.