Leaving my two year old overnight 1,000 miles away

Crystal318

I am freaking out just a bit to say the least.

My son just turned two last week and I have never spent the night away from him (other than 17 day NICU stay at birth) My sister's boyfriend commited suicide last week which is a tragedy in itself. She lives in Boston, I live in GA.

I am flying up for the services tomorrow morning and coming home the next night. I will be there for one night. I couldnt afford to pay an additional $550 for my son's ticket seeing that he is two now. I could barely afford my $550 ticket! Once I get up there to Boston I will be a wake for 4 hours and then a funeral the very next morning. I would have had to find a babysitter for my son anyways and thats nearly impossible seeing that my whole family will be at wake/funeral supporting my sister. Plus I feel like I need to be there for my sister wholeheartedly and be chasing around my two year the whole time. (yes, I am rationalizing right now)

My son will be staying here with his dad overnight but at my house. I feel the most comfortable with my son home with his own stuff in his own bed.

Someone please tell me its going to be ok!

carlab44

He'll be fine

The first time we left DD was when she was just about 2 years old. She stayed with my parents as we went to a wedding for a long weekend about 800 miles away. Have also left both DD and DS (when DS was not quite 2 and DD was 4) when we went to a wedding 3500 miles away.

It's hard being so far away but as you know he'll be fine with his dad.  

 

scottsbride379

He'll be fine! It'll be even better for him because he'll be at his own house, sleeping in his own bed with his own toys. And he'll be with his daddy instead of a sitter.

I've been in your shoes when leaving my DS overnight for the first time. But rest assured that he'll be fine with his dad at his own house and you'll be free to be there for your sister (so sorry for her). 

Your son will be just fine.

Crystal318

hocus:

Are you divorced? Not that it matters but I didn't quite follow his dad watching him at your place.

Anyway it will be fine. We've done 2 longer trips without the kids -- one when my older child was 7 months and one this summer. The kids were fine and will probably enjoy the "mom vacation" where the rules are just a little more relaxed.

We are currently seperated but I trust him 100% at my house....but I could take up a whole nother post with that story!  

 

Thank you everyone for helping reassure me!  It's good to hear other people who have left thier kids at the same age....makes me feel better about the whole thing!

Alex17

Ditto pp's. 

 

he'll be fine and honestly - you will be able to be there "more" for your sister without chasing your 2 year old everywhere.  

MrsWindyCity

Everything will be just fine. We left DS overnight for the first time around 18 months (for 2 nights) and he did great. This past weekend was my first time leaving him alone (as in, just me, and he stayed at home with DH). I was about 900 miles away and stayed for 3 nights. I missed him a lot, but everyone did great.

jpearce327

He will be absolutely fine.

I know exactly where you are coming from, as I am a single mother, who would trust DS's father to stay with him at my house as well as his. Daddy's are better than babysitters. They know the routine, the child, and the discipline plan.

I recently took my 2.5 year old to my grandfathers visitation (at my mothers request) with the plan for a friend to take him home when he got grumpy. Long story short, he got grumpy way earlier than planned and ran around the place like a mad man.

I felt awful because I ended up missing most of the visitation just trying to keep him under control. I really regret having him there honestly. He had no clue what was going on anyways 

mamainseptember

He really will be okay . When DH was in TX for training I went down and visited him for a long weekend (3 days and 2 nights). It was my first time ever leaving DS overnight, let alone for a weekend, I cried the entire flight to TX lol. He had a great time with my parents and hardly realized I was gone! He was 18 months at the time. I'm sorry for your families loss, it would make it easier I'm sure to be leaving him for a happier occasion.  

jday1229

I left DS at home with DH for 3 nights in June (GA to OH) to visit my sister and I worried waaaaay more than necessary. Really, they're much more adaptable than we give them credit for, it's us that need the reassurance Not to mention they pick up on our own emotions so easily and instead of you being at home and being sad, stressed and worried about your sister those days you'll be able to relieve him of some of that (if that makes sense).

thequeeenbee

It will be fine. They adapt so easily sometimes...it's amazing! Also, just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. A friend of mine from high school committed suicide this week. It's heartbreaking and so hard to grasp. I can't imagine what your sister is going though. 

jess60

He'll be just fine.  SO travelled with DS over 2,000 miles away (MN to CA) from me for 2 1/2 weeks when he was just 5 months old.  It was tough but temporary.  You'll get through it & your LO will be fine.

Sorry for your loss.

groovygrl

Like others said, he will be fine esp since his caretaker is his dad & you trust him...

Here's how I looked at it when I left my kids 3 times as babies to see my father when he was dying/his funeral- what was I afraid would happen to my kids and what would I regret more, leaving them briefly (which they wouldnt remember down the road anyway), or not saying goodbye to him & supporting my mom.  I'm not sure of your relationship w/ your sister but I suspect when all is said & done, your son will have a fun couple days w/ your dad & you will have done something for your sister that is really important.

GL.