I have a 3 week old son and I need to go on a business trip in a few days. I know this might be a dumb question, but is it okay for me to be absent from my baby's life for a couple of days? By the way, my wife and I, and our baby live alone, and I realize I should arrange for help. I'm just asking for my wife's sake, how will she take it. I haven't told her yet.
2007-02-26 05:19:50 · 13 answers · asked by tazzaag 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Have you always traveled? If yes, your wife should know that you have to return to work force to support your family. Before you tell her about your upcoming business meeting, contact a friend or family member to see if they can come over and help her out with the baby during your absence. Let it be her decision if she wants the outside help. Do take it upon yourself to do some grocery shopping for her, check the diaper supply so she will not have to go out. Help her out before you leave, do a couple loads of laundry. ALSO.....do not forget to call her every day to check on her well being and the baby. She will love this attention!
You should get these points for being such a concerned husband. Impressive!
2007-02-26 05:46:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's a business trip, there's absolutely no way to re-schedule it or get out of it, and is truly necessary, then your wife *should* understand. If you wanted to go on a fishing trip with your buddies, well, I wouldn't even suggest that, LOL. But, this is something work related, and it sounds like you need to go. I'd just sit down with her one night when the baby is sleeping and discuss it with her. Tell her there's no way to get out of it, and it's only a few days, and you've arranged for help to come over while you're gone.
As for your baby--your three week old won't even notice that you're gone, so don't worry about that. :)
2007-02-26 08:51:31 · answer #2 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband went back to work when my son was three weeks old...
And he works 10 to 12 hours a day so he may have well been out of town for as much as I saw him...lol.
She won't be happy about it...especially if you're helping out alot...
My husband wasn't so we really didn't miss him much, I breast fed so I'm the only one that was up with baby at night anyway...
And frankly...at that age...they sleep so much ...she should be fine on her own for a few days.
C Section or Vag? If she had the baby Vag...she'll be fine. She just needs to sleep when baby sleeps, she'll be ok.
Just make sure the house is stocked with groceries (Easy to eat food that she doesn't have to take alot of time to prepare) diapers, formula, wipes etc so that she won't have to go to the store with the little one...that's a pain.
If she had a C Section...she's still not 100% and I would make sure that someone is around to help her just in case. With a c section ...just walking is a chore...hefting a baby around is hard...I wouldn't leave her alone after a C.
2007-02-26 05:31:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her ASAP so she doesn't feel like you were hiding this from her. It's good that you're going to arrange for help while you're gone. As for how she will manage, I think that depends on her attitude. I'm a military wife, so I've spent plenty of time taking care of my children without the benefit of my husband's presence. But I expect it to happen every now and again, and while it's difficult, it's nothing for me to freak about about.
Try not to worry about the interruption to your bonding with the baby. Bonding is a process, and a few days isn't going to make a huge difference from the baby's POV, as long as he is well-cared for by his mama, which I'm sure he will be! A few days' absence would be more significant if the mother were the one leaving, and she were breastfeeding, since separations can affect milk supply & such.
If it makes you feel any better, my huband had to leave less than two weeks after our fourth child was born, and was gone for almost three months. He missed out on a LOT, and it definitely hurt a lot being gone from his family and new son at that time. But we all made it through, and when he returned, he was able to bond with the baby at that point, like he hadn't missed a thing. There's no difference today between how close he is with our other children, and how close he is with this particular child.
Of course, he's missed out on substantial chunks of time with almost all of them during their early years, but this particular time was the earliest he had to endure the separation.
I'm confident that you, your wife & your new son will get through this just fine. :) Best of luck!
2007-02-26 06:13:14 · answer #4 · answered by LaundryGirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should tell your wife asap. More than likely she is a bit more emotional than usual right now and springing this on her at the last minute won't help much. I suggest choosing your words and tone carefully when telling her. Your child won't be effected in any way by your absence but you should ask your wife if she thinks she will need help. More than likely she has friends she can count on if she needs relief while your gone. If she doesn't have anyone and is scared or really uncomfortable with you leaving I wouldn't go unless I really had to.
2007-02-26 05:36:31 · answer #5 · answered by DeAnna B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it probably would have been a better idea to tell her before now!!!! Give her time to get used to it, but anyways, you an continue about your work as you normally would. And, arranging for help may not be required, unless your wife feels she needs it. She may welcome the opportunity to have some one on one time alone with the baby. Have a safe trip!
2007-02-26 05:27:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't be thrilled...but you have to work...just make arrangements with someone to be available to help her. Your baby will be fine with you gone for a few days. You wife may enjoy the alone time with her new baby. Just make sure that someone is close by for her to call.
2007-02-26 07:02:59 · answer #7 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He won't remember your trip, nor your absence. Infants do not recall anything until around 30 months
Arranging help for your wife while you are gone should be discussed with her - does she think she'll need it? Would she rather get it from family members instead of hired help, if that's possible? Obviously SHE needs to be part of that decision.
2007-02-26 05:24:48 · answer #8 · answered by Cobalt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She probly wont be very thrilled but its only for a few days. Dfinitely arrange for some help. If this is your first she may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities caring for a newborn entails.
2007-02-26 05:24:17 · answer #9 · answered by Amanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're traveling for business, she'll probably understand. You are right though, try to arrange for some help, a family member or a close friend, who can stay and help her out or something...if you have that option already available for her, she'll probably be very OK with it.
2007-02-26 05:51:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋