What to tell 3 Year Old about Vacation??

My DH and I will be going on our anniversary vacation without our 3 yr old for 3 days... We don't know how to tell her that we'll be away for a few days? How can we do this without giving her anxiety? Please help.

Re: What to tell 3 Year Old about Vacation??

When I travel for work I just tell my children that mommy will be away for a few days, but I'm coming back. We'll talk on the phone every day (or night), and who/where she will be.

Set expectations so she knows what to expect...(ie: that she'll be with grandma and grandpa or whoever), what she'll be doing (ie: they have a special day planned at the zoo with her!), that you'll call (ie: you'll her every night after dinner), and that you'll bring her a surprise (ie: a stuffed animal from wherever you are). Let her know where you're going.

My last trip was to Arizona. I told DS (DD was too little to understand) where I was going, that I would be on an airplane, that he would be home with daddy, and one night with grandma and grandpa. He knew I would call him every morning before day care, etc. And I brought him home a gift. Now, whenever we see an airplane he asks if that was the plane I took to Arizona. He totally understands everything, so just be as open and up front. I wouldn't mention it until it's a few days to a week away. Don't spring it on her the day before you leave, but don't tell her so far in advance that she's anticipating it for months.

She'll be fine! Children are resilient! Enjoy your trip!

What to tell 3 Year Old about Vacation??

Does she understand time? My DD doesn't understand time beyond tomorrow being the future or something that hasn't happened yet and yesterday being something that has already happened. If she doesn't, I wouldn't say anything other than you'll miss her and see her soon.

Re: What to tell 3 Year Old about Vacation??

I would let her know that you will be gone, but focus on what she is going to do for those days. Tell her who she is going to stay with and where she is going to sleep. Maybe stress some of the things she is going to do wherever she is staying. Pay more attention on what she will be doing than where you will be or how long you are going to be gone. Might make her excited to do fun things with people.
At the age of 3 half of what she is going to feel is in response to the emotions you are exhibiting. If you are stressing how much fun she is going to have, she will be excited. If you focus on the fact that you guys are going to be gone and you aren't going to see her she might be more anxious.
If this is her first time away from you she might not totally get it either until it happens.
Good Luck, and have FUN!!!!

Re: What to tell 3 Year Old about Vacation??

Tell her what you are doing and how long you will be gone for. Let her know what the plans on, who is watching her and what they will do. This last trip was really hard on my kids (last week I was away for work Mon-Fri) and although they were home with my husband and mother, it was not easy. We facetime every night and I always told them to make me a picture every day. My 2yo son was happy when I sent him pictures of planes from the airport...along with a selfie on the plane. What helped my 3yo this past trip was to make a countdown. My mom made a small chart on a piece of paper with the numbers 5-1. Before bed each night, she crossed out the number and that gave her more of a visual as to when I would be home.

ETA - it seemed to help that I told my 3yo I would bring her back a present

Message edited 7/19/2016 2:23:59 PM.

What to tell 3 Year Old about Vacation??

Have you ever been away from her? I would not make it a big deal. I travel quite a bit for work and have been away for 2 weeks at a time. The times I make a bigger deal are the times he has a harder time for it.

I always bring him back something from where I am.

DH & I are goign to Costa Rica for 6 days with out DS and he is going to stay with Pop Pop so he does n't even care that we will be gone.

Re: What to tell 3 Year Old about Vacation??

Thank you for all of ur suggestions!!! I really appreciate it