Leaving my 2 year old for the first time, very attached to me any suggestions?

Question

I'm going on a much needed vacation/post honeymoon with my hubby in a few weeks but we are leaving our just turned 2 year old son with my mom, who is absolutely great with him, but he is very attached to me he will literally wait by the door if I go anywhere, even if he is home with my husband. I know it's just a stage, and he does go to daycare during the day, but any suggestions on how to make it easier for him(and grandma!) while I'm gone for 7 days?? He already has a "blanky" for security, but I know he can be very annoying with hours of solid "I want Mama" I just can't imagine him doing that for a whole week. Thanks for any advice/tips? anyone been through this?

Answer 1

I helped a good friend with her two sons who had TERRIBLE separation anxiety.  If there is still time, start now with gradual separation.  Take him to grammas just while you run to the store.  Make sure that if his behavior is good while you're gone that gramma has some kind of special reward for him.  When you return be sure to give lots of love, but DON"T make a big deal about how much you missed him.  Next time, make the trip a little longer and if behavior is good both you and gramma can give a treat.  The other thing that worked really well for my friend was to make a special bag of toys and snacks that were just for when mommy and daddy went away.  This was probably the best thing because at the time the boys were 2 and 4 and they were very into Cars.  Most of the toys that were in the bag were related.  I remember being over one time and the 4-year-old asked me, "Are you going to take mommy away so I can play with my cars?"  He really understood that those toys were just for those times.  I hope that you find something that works.  There's nothing worse than not being able to enjoy yourself because you're worried about your child.  Good Luck.

Answer 2

I haven't been through it, but maybe having a picture of you in a Ziploc bag may help. My son has a little picture album that has all the important people in his life in it and he takes that when we have to leave him overnight. He should be fine. The first night may be tough, but he will get over it.

Answer 3

Give him a blanket or something he can snuggle with and sleep with it for a while.  Then give it to him while you are gone.  It will smell like you and soothe him.  Read The Kissing Hand either to him or by yourself and do something similar.