I'm terrified to travel!

[abbielove]

I need help! I'm going on vacation on Monday and it will be the first time I've ever been away from my son, who is almost 4. Does anyone have any advice to make it easier? He's staying with his grandma, so I know he will be taken care of, but I don't want him to miss me and I don't want to spend my whole trip missing him. I've been prescribed anxiety medicine and it helps, but as the vacation gets closer I'm starting to freak out.

Have any other mothers ever experienced this? How do I deal with it?

Thank you so much!

[Newmom!]

This might be late for you, but maybe it will help others.
Some ideas
- have 2 copies of a book, one for you and one for child. Read the book over the phone to the child as a part of bedtime routine.
- have a picture of you the child can look at anytime, especially when talking on the phone
-have a calendar of some sort that shows the days you will be gone. Have the child check off each day before bed so he can see when you will be back.
-make sure that the sitter/grandma keeps at least a few things from his routine at home. It can be the order of bed time routine, the way his lunch sandwich is cut, etc. Something that is familiar and comforting to him.
- Remember that 4 year olds can do just fine on overnights. If you act in front of him that it is going to be a fun thing to do then he will enjoy it more. If you act worried and sad, he will think he should be too. Most likely he will enjoy himself and barely know you are gone.
Good luck and try to enjoy your trip

[abbielove]

I just got back and I'm so glad I went! Once I was there, I was so distracted, I didn't even have time to think about how much I was missing him! And he didn't seem to miss me too much either! It was so nice to have peace and quiet for the first time in 4 years! I definitely won't wait another 4 years to take a vacation just for me.