This summer my husband and I are preparing for a 12-day trip that will take us to another continent. We are going to Europe to fulfill a lifelong dream of ours, and we will be there a couple of weeks — alone — without our preschool-aged child.
While I’m super excited, I’ve never been away from my kid for more than 4 days or farther than New York, so I’m ever so slightly nervous!
To make matters worse, when I announced the news to our son Ezra, he broke down and has been asking every day to please not go on a plane without him! He’s never reacted like this before but again, he’s never had the words to say or the understanding of what was going on! He’s growing! BUT I feel guilty!
It’s natural to feel some guilt about leaving kids to go on vacation, but friends we know had many positive things to say. One of my friends Peggy, who is a mom of 3, even suggested a simple way to appease my son while we are away. Today I’d love to share it with you.
My friend suggested we prepare a little package for our son, with surprises for each day we’ll be gone. That way it will make it easier for him to understand the concept of days and know we are thinking of him. And for me it will make me feel like a better mom! Who am I kidding?
Are you ready to hear about this easy project? Read along!
For this project you’ll need:
- A greeting card (I used a blank one)
- A picture of the family
- A calendar which highlights the days you’ll be gone
- Some Post-its in different colours
- Small paper bags
- Little treats that are special to your kid (I got some inexpensive toys, candies, and crayons from the dollar store)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Write a simple note on the greeting card and place the picture of the family inside it
2.Prepare a bag with a treat for each day you’re gone
3. Place a Post-it on each paper bag with the date on it
4. Use another Post-it to write a short note for each day you’ll be gone (see examples below)
5. Go away in peace knowing this too shall pass!
I’m curious- have you been away from a young child for an extended period? How was it? What did you do to make them feel special?
