Upcoming Trip without Baby!!

[Sami]

hi there,
I hope im posting this question in the right section!
My DH and i will be doing a 2week trip without our LO!! this is quite a major and long trip and not possible with babies....and it's also a once in life opportunity...
This trip is coming up in a few months...actually March 2008 when my ds will be almost 1 years old.
During this time i have asked my mother to stay at our house and watch our little one...for almost the entire time...there may be a few days where my in-laws will stay over instead. both sides know my ds fairly well especially my mom...i talk of BW and the way i do things quite regularly!!
In anticipation of this major trip that i am worrying about already i was wondering if anyone has any tips/advice to make these 2weeks that we are away as smooth as possible for all of us, especially our LO!!
especially, if there are anythings we should start doing now...for later....
I know (but not exactly) that things will be somewhat different in March 2008 since my LO will have changed and grown quite a bit....
The other major change will be that when we come back from this trip...my maternity leave will be finishing and i will be going back to work in April 2008!

thank you very much!!
sami

[scarlettsmom]

Can you maybe put a little reference guide together?

Including routine specifics  (ie, sleep/wake times, and how he goes down :we read this book before nap time, and put his lovey, Poo Bear in bed with him, etc.), activities he likes to do, when to brush teeth, bedtime routine, how much if any TV, what helps calm him if he gets upset, what his meal consist of, how much water/milk/etc.  Also include all your contact info, emergency numbers, etc. 

Good luck and enjoy!  It's great to have family who can pitch in!

[Sami]

Thanks!yes, i will definitely be putting together something in writing for the caregivers...

[skatty]

We have never been away with DD over night but I think even at 13 months when we are out of sight we are kind of out of mind. When DH is home DD follows him everywhere and wants his attention but she doesn't pine for him when he's not there. Also on the very odd occassion I actually go somewhere without her she always has a great time with whoever  is looking after her and only seems to realise she missed me when she sees me again. Of course you will worry while you are away but I honestly think if our LO's are geting love and attention from someone they love and are having their regular routine and needs met then they are fine. The welcome you have when you get back will be monumental and you going back to work straight away probably wont be as big a transition than if you hadn't gone away. Next year I am actually going to be visiting home (London but I live in Denmark) on my own because even though I will miss DD I actually think she is better off in her own home with her Dad and being looked after by MIL than having to go on flights, get bombarded with visitors and sleep in a different bed for a weekend every few months, I'll miss her like crazy but I know she will be fine ...and so will your LO

[Sami]

Thank you for your insight! i do feel better....yes, i agree that it is definitely better for my ds to stay behind than go on a grueling 2week trip! i mostly worry about the routine part of things, and all the hard work i have done with my ds these 7.5 mths!!im hoping that the grandparents won't change things too much by time we get back! i am going to put things in writing and try to explain everything the best i can...i think it's mainly the sleeping part like naps and bedtime...that i worry about! the rest is ok...

sami