My husband is going on a business trip at the end of this week, and my six year old Carter is completely devastated. He cried for over an hour today at the thought of his dad being gone. We did our best to comfort him and reassure him, but he could not stop crying and continues to burst into tears anytime anyone mentions it. My husband is very nurturing and predictable in his commitment to our kids, so we are somewhat baffled at Carter's reaction. Any insight or advice you have would be appreciated. Right now he is inconsolable.
Poor little guy. Carter is at that age were Daddy is everything. Get him busy working on the problem! He's old enough to understand time so however many days, set out the sheets of paper. Have Carter do something,drawing,note, include a picture he likes for Dad, and put them one in an evelope for each day Dad's away for Dad to open. On seperate papers for Carter to keep have him and you write which each thing is that Daddy opens each day. These go on the frig,or in Carters room. They kinda provide a link,a countdown and a physical reminder that the days are going until Dad's back. It gives him some control over the situation. Good Luck,hope this helps!
My dad used to go away on business trips and although intially I was sad, my dad made it a game by always buying me a small clip on animal from each place that he went, my collection became my pride and joy that showed everyone that my dad loves me even when he is far away. If you are unable to do the webcam or emails suggested by other members maybe your husband can send your son postcards (through overnight delivery). A different idea is to get your husband to take one of your son's toys with him and prewrite letters from Dad and your son's bear (or other toy) with fantastic stories about their adventures. Put them in the mailbox each day addressed to your son and let him be the one that gets the mail.
I'm so sorry that he is feeling so blue....Has daddy had to leave alot for buisness trips before? Has he ever been away from him for a long period of time? This could just be something so new to him that he does not know what to do or how to handle how he feels. Something you can try is have daddy write a letter for every day that he is going to be gone. and have each letter end with an "I love you and I will be home soon" Then read a letter to him each night and let him keep it next to his bed so he can look at it and know that daddy misses him too and is thinking about him. It's hard, my daughter is only 2 but sees daddy only a few min a day, if that at times cause our resturant takes so much of his time. Hope this helps, and if anything, talk to him and let him tell you everything that he feels, at least. Good luck.
boy oh boy - i can see this already starting to happen with my little one. it makes you feel so sorry for the little guy.
dont have a solution sorry, except maybe talking it through with him more :s
maybe suggest that daddy is going to be looking for a big toy for him? ;)
I love the webcam idea. Maybe you can try that? Also maybe a bedtime story from dad over the phone while daddy is gone?
Is he afraid that his dad isn't coming back? or might get hurt? Maybe he knows of someone that this happened to and that's why he is reacting the way he is.
Before the business trip, maybe you guys can make a care package that his dad would have to return (incase the fear is that he woulnd't come back) and or make some sort of special shield to "protect" daddy from harm.
Oh dear Jen, this must be so heart wrenching for all of you (it is heart wrenching for me, and I haven't even met Carter).
Is there any other change in his life that is going on at the moment? Is everything ok at school? Is he getting along ok with his friends? Perhaps he is just feeling more vulnerable than usual because of something outside the home - and his Dad going away is just the final straw? Do you think this could be possible?
The web cam is a great idea, and if you guys could convince him to keep a special diary each day for dad to read when he returns, or to share online each day - that may make it easier to bear. Could he be given a new responsibility in his Dad's absence that makes him feel more important?
I hope you can resolve it, or at least ease some of his pain - poor wee mite.
hi, i think your husbant need to go out without your child notesing,,,or you know what!!! when he goes out for work try to make it fun for him...like running behind the car and making yourself trying to catchit!! try to change the rotine
Connor used to be like that when Dad went away on business. The way we got around it was that Brad would take his webcam with him, and get on at night after he stopped for the day and had had dinner, and they would chat 'face to face' over msn. Connor could tell him what happened during the day and was happy that he could talk to his dad. If hubby was late getting on, there were the constant where is daddy? until he logged on.
i think that is so sweet, he loves his daddy that much!!!! its cute, but an issue none the less.
i guess all you can do is explain how daddy needs to work for money to have food and toys and keep reassuring him that daddy will be back in no time......
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