May 14 2008
Being away for too long
I have been away for too long in the month of April. In total, I was away 17 days, split into two trips of 9 days and 8 days, to China and US respectively.
This is the longest absence I have had in the last 3 years. Both of my children were not used to this, not even Ian.
Ian has been okay with me being away. But in the past 3 years, all my trips were limited to a maximum of 5D4N in the region, or 8D7N to US. When I had to travel to US, usually I have a long period being grounded, before and after those trips.
Both of my children got a little sign of phobia, with any thoughts me being away. 3 days after I returned from my 9D8N China trip, Ian begged me not to go again (to US).
After returning from US last week, both children were glued to me. I can’t even go to the toilet, or they’ll knock the door and cry till I come out! Isabel doesn’t want any one else to help her with potty, feeding, bathing, changing, etc!
I guess this is also partly caused by my lack of traveling in the last few months. Due to our travel budget cut, I had not traveled at all in Oct-Dec last year, and Feb/Mar this year.
So, the lesson learnt is, either you continue to travel regularly, or you don’t travel at all. LOL! Anyway, I just hope that they are okay when I travel again few months from now. There are a few planned trips soon…
Children can’t stand their mother being away for a long time. They miss mum, they need mum and everything they go to mum first rather than dad.
They must have missed you dearly. That’s what is happening to me: I don’t travel at all.
bet you missed them like crazy…and vice versa !
croatiagals: hmm… you are right, they do come to me first, especially my girl.
But then, if I scold her, she’d go to the dad or cry for her dad (if not around)!
Jo-N:
Good that you have a choice to stay with them all the time! And yes, I think they really missed me.
allthingspurple: Wow! You are right, whenever there are quiet moments in meetings or in between activities, I would miss them dearly. But glad my activities are usually busy and too tired for this kind of homesick or missed them. Otherwise hard to endure this! :p