Leaving the children... what would you do?

[~kate~]

Okay so in a month I am heading all the way to the other side of the country for a week long conference.

I have never left the kids more more than a night before and am freaking out about that as it is LOL.

DH is having the week off work, but what I'm wondering is how much prep I should do for him?

I was going to have a million frozen meals ready for reheating, and will do a big grocery shop beforehand regardless. But I was talkign to someone this week who told me that if I do all that preparing maybe I am not giving him a chance to 1) be the full time parent *really* for the week and 2) see what my life is actually like on a day to day basis LOL.

So the over preparing thing may be a control thing on my part (d'ya think?) but I thought it was just being helpful in a way that *I* would really appreciate iykwim?

So what should I do? So I have everything ready to go with a list of J's kinder times etc and all their activities and yada yada yada? Or do I throw him in the deep end and trust that they will all cope without me? (God forbid :o)

Has anyone else been through this?

[ljl211]

I would throw him in the deep end! But then I just know I'd come home to complete chaos!

[stellaj]

I would give him the list of times for kinder etc but apart from that let him be. He will cope, I wouldn't do the meals etc as I think it would create one of those men who can't cook if necessary/do housie things.

[MadMumof3]

meal plan - keep things simple but i am sure he will manage
make a list of the things that the kids have to do ie what time kinder is
dont throw him in the deep end if he's anything like my dh he will freak out and get nothing sorted , be late for kinder, and not cook proper meals etc.
dh basically had to runthe place when i had meghan cos i spent 2 1/2 weeks trekking tothe hosy to feed and cuddle the bubby. and he coped with me organising meals (planning) and doing the shopping.

[Tracymumto6]

I've been away often. I just leave DH to it and let him work it out. The kids do get things like baked beans on toast, toasted sandwiches and noodles but they like Daddy's cooking

And he does do things his way ( which can irritate me) but the kids and he all survive. I think it's been good for his relationship with the kids.

[~Carolyn~]

Originally Posted by Tracymumto6

I've been away often. I just leave DH to it and let him work it out. The kids do get things like baked beans on toast, toasted sandwiches and noodles but they like Daddy's cooking

And he does do things his way ( which can irritate me) but the kids and he all survive. I think it's been good for his relationship with the kids.

yup- agreed

we mums can be way too controlling

i would make a list of kinder times tho as that to us is second nature where as he has no reason to remember those.

[~*Rebecca*~]

I'd leave a list of who has to be where on the calendar make sure you have done a bit of shopping and leave them too it. Stateing that perhaps some housework should be done while you are away.

Let them see just how busy life can be getting two little ones places.

[Shen]

He will cope, Kate... he *has* to. Don't do all the meals and stuff. He'll be fine! *Trust*!! Seriously! And have FUN while you're away.

[~Melissa~]

I agree with everyone else

I go away at least once or twice a year for a couple of nights & I just leave DH to organise meals etc. I would make sure he knows who has to be where at what times & then just leave him to his own devises. I'm sure he'll be fine

[Pobie]

I know where your going Kate - LOL - well at least I think I do

I would menu plan and leave the kinda times etc. At least if he gets stuck he knows what sort of things are in the cupboard to cook otherwise your kids might have baked beans every night. If he doesn't want to cook whats in the cupboard then he can think of something else to do.