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!
Re: Leaving my two year old overnight 1,000 miles away
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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).
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.
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.