My babies are gone for a month... can't stop crying

[Daisygirl]

My little ones have gone for a month with Granny and Grandpa to be spoiled rotten. I know it would be selfish to keep them here so I can see them two hours a day over the summer, but the house just echoes without them. They are going to travel for a month through the US with my mom and dad.

I also feel guilty - I needed a break from the 24-7 so much - I have been snapping and irritable lately because I just can't always take care of everything, but now that they're gone I just can't stop crying.

Just a vent, mooching some cyber hugs.

[bumplett]

think of it this way, you are giving them a great gift for the summer.... not every kid gets to travel the states while on vacation - they'll love it!

they will appreciate that opportunity far more than staying at home and not spending time with you.

You're supposed to miss them, that's what makes you a mom.

[Holly]

((((Hugs Karen))))
Just take a long hot bath and do some me time.
Hey they are safe with your mom and dad and not with their dad
having him try to rip them off.
Just think about all you can do to get ready to spend a wonderful time with them at Disneyworld..
We're here for you and we have as many cyber hugs as you could ask for.

[Hucky]

It can be hard in an empty house, my son is off to his dads for a week at the end of this week and it is the longest week ever!






All the hugs I can find lol

[Royal]

Wow, that's a great experience for the girls. Take care Karen!!

[TheRootedNomad]

What a wonderful gift for them to get to travel like that!
I'm sorry that you miss them! I'd miss mine tremendously too. Then I'd try to think, "Well, if I'm going to not have them here anyway I should at least use the time to get the most out of it so I'm ready for when they come back" Use the time to do things you just CAN'T do when they're there or will take time now but free up time for you to spend with them when they get back. Make sure you take some time for you as well. A rejuvinated mommy wold be a great gift for any kids to come home to.

[Daisygirl]

I do have a me-time plan - I have no excuse not to meet my fitness goals. I hope to lose 10 pounds over the next month with diet and cardio out the wazoo. I want to do a little home organizing too. I have already put in for more overtime at work, so extra $$$ will be coming in.

Thank goodness for VOIP telephone serivce - I can call as much as I want.

[cmdarlin]

Sending lots of I know it will be hard to be away from the kids but this is something they'll always remember. And they're going to be so happy to come back home to Mom. Try to relax and do a few things you've wanted to do.

We're Here for you!

Debbie in Missouri

[McD]

Karen, this will be good for them AND you.

They will come home with tons of memories and be so excited to see you. Plus, depending on your parents' ages, the girls may not many other opportunities to spend a month at a time with them.

When they return, YOU will be rested, relaxed, rejuvenated. Every mom needs a break now and again, its just really hard to admit it. Enjoy your month off, and let yourself cry today. It's hard being without them, even if it is nice.

[suki]

I completely understand. When my girls would go to their grandparents or later their dad's during the summer for a month to 6 weeks, I felt completely lost and sad.

I was given some wonderful advice and soon, I began to almost look forward to these breaks... I certainly became used to them. The advice was that I had forgotten how to enjoy my own company and that I should embrace the time to get to know ME. I could be entirely selfish during the time my girls were away. Something I never was when they were home. I'd forgotten how to make things about me... my whole life revolved around my girls.

I learned to sail. I ordered chinese takeout and rented sappy movies... sat there eating chinese food and bawling (a great way to release pent up emotions). I wrote poetry. I sculpted. I painted. I went to museums alone. I went bike riding and hiking. It was good for me.

So, every year, I'd mope for a few days... allow myself to miss my girls. Then, I'd find something to do or just settle in to enjoy myself. Before I knew it, the girls were back home and we were enjoying ourselves.

As a result of these breaks every summer... my girls and I are close, but they are not overly dependent upon me or overly attached. We can function well apart from each other. We are all strong and independent women. We appreciate one another's differences. I think these summer breaks were really good for all of us. I know they helped my mental health.

Traveling with your parents is a wonderful opportunity for your girls. I'm thrilled you allowed them to have this time with their grandparents. They will cherish the memories.

[IntlMom]

How exciting for your girls!!!! Of course you miss them, but this may end up being a great summer break for all of you. You could use this time to do all the things that you want/need to do. Overtime, excercise, organize, and just plain rest and recover from your hectic life.
((hugs))

[iida]

I am just like you. My kids are older, but still, if they go somewhere for a week or sometimes even for a day, I start missing them. When they were younger and went to their grandparents for a weekend, just as soon as they were gone, I started to look at their photos and miss them.

But what an adventure for your girls!

[Frugal Nurse]

Suki said it beautifully.

HUGZ all the way around.

Grandparents are special and they will cherish this time with thier grandchildren.

You are a wonderful unselfish mother to do this for them.

I implore you to take this month and be YOU again.

[Ilovesewing]

I completely understand. Hugs for you....

[AmyMCGS]

You're entitled to miss them and get cyber hugs. I know I'd be bawling my eyes out- my kids have only spent the night at my in-laws, 45 minutes away, and even that was hard for me.

I hope they have a wonderful time, and that you enjoy your break, too.