Work Guilt

Updated on March 04, 2010
G.H. asks from Vermilion, OH
8 answers

I have a 2 year old daughter. I have to leave for work overnight for 4 days. She is staying with my husband 3 of the days and my parents one. I know she is in good hands. Does she have time perception yet? Is 20 minutes the same as 4 days in her little mind?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

Might not worry about HER thinking so much as maybe shifting YOUR thoughts. How about realizing that it's a VERY good thing for her to have one-on-one time w/ dad AND weekly time with the grandparents. Sounds pretty well balanced to me.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

If your husband keeps her pretty busy it will go fairly fast. My husband and I went to Vegas for about the same length of time when our son was that age and he was so busy the whole time he barely even wanted to talk to me on the phone! He was "too busy playing"! Bed time and the last day or so will be difficult though. Make sure she has a picture of you and you call her before bed, maybe you could read her a bedtime story over the phone? It might help if you had a little calendar with the days you'll be gone marked on it and her and daddy can cross each day off before bed.

J.D.

answers from Columbus on

No, 20 min is not the same as 4 days in a 2 year olds mind. However, if you talk it up and help her to get excited about having special time with daddy/grandma and are able to call daily, I think everyone invovled could have a very positive experience.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.W.

answers from Cleveland on

I did that years ago and my kids don't even remember me ever leaving. My daughter was 8 months old and my son 2 and a half. Also I had a 12 year old. They don't look at things like we do. Make it a positive experience for all of you and it will go well.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

I work night shift and often send my son to my mom's for multiple days in a row if I work more than 2 nights straight. I have been doing this for a couple years. I know he's older but they keep him so extremely busy that he doesn't even notice time has gone by (and he still has no concept of time 2 hours is often equal to 2 minutes and vis versa). Just make sure she has her favorite things, people try to stick to her routines and that they have lots of things planned for her to do. She will be ok! I remember the first MANY times I had to leave him (and even now sometimes). He did awesome...I was always the guilty feeling one!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Dallas on

G., I just came across this old post and wasn't sure if you are still happy with your current job or are seeking a way to potentially get out of the 9-5 routine. Work at Home United provides you an opportunity to earn supplemental or replacement income (and it is residual as well!!) while working from home....NO selling, NO stocking, NO shipping, and NO parties. No cold calls and there is no financial investment like most other work from home opportunities and is 100% risk free! This is NOT like Mary Kay or Avon and IS NOT MLM!!! We are a Consumer Direct Marketing company where we set up accounts for customers and Melaleuca pays us do so. We have been around since 1985, won numerous awards, is very prosperous and growing daily and it is BACKED by the BBB!! You will receive a FREE website and FREE training!
Visit www.WorkAtHomeUnited.com/H. to request information if you would like to learn more or give me a call at ###-###-#### to schedule an overview call so you can get all the info up front to decide if this will be a good fit for you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

Ahh, guilt. We wouldn't be good moms without at least a little bit of it! Most likely your little girl will be just fine without you (and may not even miss you)! I'm sure you know all this but let her know ahead of time in gentle words what is going to happen. Make sure to use key phrases that will let her know you'll be gone for a little while but will be back. My husband was gone for 10 days for a work trip and we told our 2 told year old, "Daddy went on an airplane to fly to Singapore. He's working but we'll see him later." He certainly didn't know what Singapore meant but he has been on an airplane so he understands the concept of traveling away from home for a while! We revisited those key phrases several times over the course of ten days and he never cried or seemed upset that daddy was gone. Maybe your little girl could have her own special event to look forward to with her daddy or grandparents while you are gone. Sticking to routine is important but a little distraction and something for them to look forward to helps too.
Also, on a side note, I read somewhere to describe time to toddlers in terms of sleep. So 4 nights away equals 4 "big sleeps". I tried that with my toddler but he looked at me like I was crazy so we abandoned the idea! Maybe it will work for your little one.
Enjoy your trip. Maybe you'll have a cushy hotel room to relax in. We moms of 2 year olds need a bit of cushy treatment every once in a while =)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

I guess I am confused about the 2 YO and the 10 WO and only 1 child issue, but okay.
I left my daughter at age 7 months for 10 days to go to West Point because my brother was Head Plebe. She was my 4th pregnancy and only living child. Talk about scared and nervous! My sister-in-law watched her at her home while my husband was working. When she was 4 I let my parents take her for 8 days on vacation with them and she loved the experience.
I learned something from the experiences. I understood how and why my parents would leave me with my dad's parents overnight every two months. My parents let me go on mini-vacations with her parents from the time I was 3. I loved my grandparents, got to do some really exciting things and my parents got some quality time together from those experiences.
Yes, she will remember you. No she will not have lasting bad thoughts about you. Sometimes my time perception has nothing to do with actual time, neither does her's.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches