Here at Changi airport, just waiting around for my flight to NY. Pat and I are doing a quick 11-day trip to NY and Montreal. Pat asked me to take the (business) trip with him as it was a great opportunity to see those places... I was unsure about going for awhile. Then I made the mistake of asking my kids to make my decision for me.

I said to them, "If you don't want me to go, I won't". Sam and Elo unanimously said, "we don't want you to go". I was reminded last night of that promise I made. Sam said, "I thought you said you won't go if we asked you not to go?"

To make things worse, I was telling off my kids for whingeing so much yesterday. I can see now that they were just really uncomfortable with my being away. Elo (the 4 yr old) was extra clingy... she had her arms wrapped around my neck each and every time that she saw me yesterday.  She also head-butted her brother out of the way when she wanted my attention (strange football stadium type behaviour).

I was feeling quite stressed out by work and packing and cleaning out fridge (things to do before you go away)... so I snapped at Sam when he asked me whether I was only going for 10 days. Arrggh... bad mother.

Later on, I gave him loads of hugs and promised him an expensive toy (as you do ... when you feel that you have to compensate for your absence with gifts), but he only asked for "American lollies". He reckons that they make lollies of a different kind in America.  Such a sweetheart!

It's only 11 days, I keep telling myself! And I will be a much better and rested mother when I return!

I made them each a calendar of 11 squares with a love-heart on the 11th square. They will cross one square out each day and I said that I will be home when they get to the square with the love-heart. Hence, NO EXTENSION OF STAY!!!