Photo by aubergene.
This week, I am away on a business trip. I thought it would be nice for HB to have a daily reminder of me each day I am gone.
So, last weekend, we baked cupcakes. We made heart-shaped cupcakes with pink frosting and white and red heart-shaped sprinkles -- very Valentines! They turned out really cute. She had so much fun doing it! (Oh, OK. I did too.)
We made 6 cupcakes -- one for each day I am gone. I told her that she could have one cupcake per day, and when she eats her last cupcake, then Mommy will be home the next day. It seemed like a really tangible way for her to understand when I would be returning and a nice treat for her while I was gone.
Then, on Sunday night, while I was sitting on the (delayed) flight, I had a sudden flash of horror. WHAT HAD I DONE?!?! I just gave the message to my little girl that cupcakes are a good substitute for Mommy's love. OMG! Am I laying the groundwork for her to have an eating disorder down the line?
What do you think? Is it OK to give treats as a placeholer in your absence?
I think it was a good measurement of time for her. You can tell her you'll be gone for 6 days but that doesn't mean anything to her. She got to have something she normally doesn't (I'm assuming) while you were gone, so that helps to ease the transition. Being gone for 6 days is a lot for a little kid, especially since they don't understand time very well.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a good idea. Now, if only I could figure out a way to let my kid know I'll be back at the end of the day...
@Liz - thanks. That makes me feel better. The word from my husband is that the cupcakes were "brilliant". It really helped her understand when I would be home. One more day to go, and I can seem my babies again! :-)
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