My husband left this week for a business trip. We have never been away for a week, so it was tough. But I was wondering, does anyone know how that it might have affected my daughter. I know she is not scarred or anything, just wondering if their little brains comprehend that he has been gone for a week. Luckily we will be going to pick him up tonight. She has not been bad, but she has definitely been "off" this week. I just don't know if she knows why..I am guessing this is a question that is not easily answered. i have always gotten such good support/advice, so I thought I would throw this out there.
He's HOME!! Yeah for both of us! She was so excited to see him, it made me cry. She, for obvious reasons, is not letting him leave her side today. Which is good for him and for me! Thank you for all your suggestions and support. Luckily travel is not going to be a big part of his job. Thanks again, you are all great!
My son is now 5 so he definately knows when daddy is gone. When he was little he was always off on the weeks my husband was gone. A little fussier, sleeping schedule off a bit. Whether he realized daddy was gone I don't know; but he definately knew something wasn't right!
T.
When my son was 10 montshs old, my husband went back ato work (he's a teacher) after being home all summer. My son was "off" too for a feww days. I ended up taking him to the pediatrician since he just wasn't being himself. When he physically checked out well, she asked if there had been any changes at home. I mentioned the return to school and she said simply, "he just missest his daddy." WOW!!!
We made sure that Daddy had a significant amount of play time each night and made a major production of when Daddy came home each day. That was all it took. When Daddy when back to work again last fall when Chase ws 22 months, it was barely a blip on mu son's radar.
I do know that when I went to DC with my 8th graders (I teach part-time) for 4 days in April, I called to talk to my son each morning and again during bedtime rituals so I could get my good-nights in. I also bought a book for each day I was gone (since my son LOVES to READ). It gave him something to look forward to each morning and then he read it with Daddy each night and I asked him about it when I called. It made my trip a fun experience for both of us!
She won't be scarred - she just misses him as I'm sure you do! Good luck!
My husband has had to go out of state on business trips every couple of months for the last 2 years. At first, our son (who was 2 at the time) acted up a little just b/c it affected our routine. But I certainly don't think he's been scarred at all by it, and now when Dad is gone, we do special things like eat supper at McDonald's and treat it as a mom/son bonding time. He loves it.
while your daughter may not get the entire impact of dad being gone for a week, it definitely impacts them on a daily basis - as you've seen! that said, dad is coming home, and things generally return to normal. she was missing him, even if she couldn't say that.
As a single mom by choice who occasionally has to travel, I would say she likely notices but it isn't catastrophic.
My husband never has to travel for work, but once he had to travel for a week. Our daughter was just 2 at the time also. I just let her know that daddy was at work and would be home in a few days. I let her know that I missed him so she knew it was ok to feel that way too. She was so excited when he came home and there have been no lasting effects -- she does not get nervous that he's going to go to work and not come home for a long time.
Hang in there, honey! I know it's so hard when your hubby goes for a whole week, but soon, it'll be a memory!
As for your daughter, don't worry! She may be off for a bit, but she won't remember it! Just make sure she hears her dad's voice, even have him call and read a bedtime story to her every night!
Good luck, it'll be over soon!
Don't mention daddy to Riley unless the little one asks. No sense rubbing salt into the wound. If Riley asks, then say daddy be home in 2 sleeps (days), etc. and give hugs and kisses.
My kids are all thrown a bit off when my husband travels. He's usually gone only a couple of days, but sometimes goes overseas for a week or so. About halfway through the longer trips, they start to get a bit more rambunctious - testing me more - not sleeping as well - that kind of thing. They sense a change for sure but they bounce back fairly quickly.
My husband has travelled on a regular basis 1 - 3 days per week (a couple times a year it's for 5 days/in a week) so the kids are so used to it. He has travelled all of their life. My daughter is 13 years and my son is 10 years. They also know that there are a lot of perks for dad to travel - free travel vouchers, upgrades in hotels, etc...and they love that! If he is gone two days, we are fine. My kids start missing dad on the third day. We hear from him every day - I'll call or he'll call. Honestly, it really depends on my routine and how I handle his absence. We keep a fairly regular routine but....dad's routine is usually more rigid than mine (just works out that way!). We have picked him up at the airport on longer trips and I make it a big deal. My son usually starts digging in dad's briefcase the moment he comes home - for peanuts or snacks. Then, he walks his briefcase up to his room. It's, again, a ritual. I can see why she is off - just stay on top of that if he is going to travel a lot. Really, a lot will depend on your attitude toward it - my kids detect my tension when my husband has a long trip. Good luck!
Almost-twos realize that one of their important people hasn't been around, and I'm sure your son misses him. This is also the age when they get extra-attached to their daddies. I know Mondays are always going to be bad because my son has spent the whole weekend with Daddy at home.
I'm sure it has been a little different than her routine, but I'm sure she understands he'll be back if you talk to her and tell him he'll be home soon. My husband was gone to Iraq for 9 months when our son was between 1 and 2 years old. He did not remember him well when he came back and it took 2 months for him to be completely comfortable around him, which was very difficult for my husband. The whole time he was gone, I showed him videos and talked about him, but I guess that was a picture and video and not real life. He was so young, though. He is fine now and loves being with his daddy, so I'm glad he was young when he was gone so he didn't remember it.
