A Week Without Daddy

Last week Derek, my husband, was away on business.  Thankfully, this does not happen often.

I knew the week away would be toughest on M, my three year old.  I wanted to share some of the ways that I tried to help her through the week.  (My one year old son seemed fine, as expected.  I will post about what I did for ME another time.)  Little did I know just how tough the week would be with being snowed into our home and M missing 3 out of 4 days of preschool due to snow!

• Daddy wrote notes.  Before he left, Derek wrote a note to the children for every day that he was gone.  I put them in their felt mailbox.  Sometimes I even wrote a note for a sweet surprise. 
• Daddy recorded a video.  Before leaving, I recorded a short video of Derek talking to the children.  I waited as long as possible before showing the children, but both loved it!  (Derek did request that it not be put on the blog.  He knows me!)
• We called Daddy during bedtime snack.  Every night we talked to Derek before bedtime so he could say goodnight to the kids.  E loved to hear his voice and laughed, but Meghan really talked to him.
• We went grocery shopping in the evening.  So we spent the entire evening eating dinner and then shopping.  There was no time to miss Daddy!
• We played with friends.  This might sound silly, but it was really good to see some friends, though most days we were snowed in.
• We got out of the house!  One night we went to the grocery store (before the blizzard hit us), and another night we went to a generous friend's house for dinner.  M and E even got in some much needed rough housing with my friend's husband!  They loved it!
• Mom played and  played and played.  I was probably a much better mommy this week than usual, giving LOADS of attention to the kids.  Frankly, I am tired of pretending to be the Wonder Pets saving the blowfish, but hey, it works!  
• Mom was flexible.  One night M wore her dress to bed.  She also had "breakfast" (cereal) for dinner one night, in addition to some other things, I swear!  (I might not care if I eat fruits or veggies all day long, but I make sure my children do!)
• Mom was silly.  I tried to be extra silly.  It just helped to lighten the mood.
• M made a "Welcome Home Daddy" sign.  I waited until the morning that he was expected to make it, but M was extremely proud of it.  She also learned a new phrase, and used it to say welcome home!

I know there are amazing moms (and dads!) who go about raising children mostly or fully on their own.  It amazes me!  I am so thankful for my husband and all he does.  I'm not that strong...I need him to help with the children!

What do you do to help your kids overcome a parent going away?  I'd love to hear!