Thought I would handle this ok, but now I am not so sure

It will be okay. Take deep breaths and remember that you felt confident enough that he'd be okay at his dad's when the idea was first suggested, so when your emotions weren't in play, you made a decision you knew would be okay - that your son will be taken care of and that there'll be things he'll enjoy there. That it can be a special time for you and your daughter and little one.

It will be okay. (Just keep repeating that when the fear and anxiety arise)

Some ideas that might help lessen the initial separation blow - maybe make some little notes for him to open every day (or maybe each weekend, if 14 notes is a little much ) or arrange for a webcam/skype/telephone session when he arrives there and then each night just before your little one goes to bed, so they can talk about their days (and you can) and say gnite to eachother.

Arrange special things (even if it's just an indoor picnic under a sheet) with your little ones - to keep you all busy and to share time together. You could even make up a calendar with your two year old marking off the days as they pass - leading until the day he comes back.

Above all, know that this will be an important part of your little boy growing up - a chance for him to be a little independent and discover who he is apart from you, as an individual... but that your love for eachother will only grow stronger and that you'll see eachother in a new and fresh way when you're reunited - an even deeper love and appreciation of being together

I know there have been times when I've had to part with my kids (eg. last week they spend the whole week camping with my ex. - normally they're with me all the time.) and although we've missed eachother (which is a good thing - reveals the bond) I've noticed how they've benefited from the space from me and being in other surroundings - and the added appreciation they come back with.

Try to keep strong for your lad, so he doesn't get worried or feel guilty for leaving you...

Wishing you peace and comfort and trying to send you a huge cyber hug (((((((((((you))))))))))))

Helena thank you for your kind words. Everyone else too.

Well I was very brave when he got on the plane. I was doing great until HE started to cry, then I cried and have been pretty much crying ever since. I hope I am not like this for the whole two weeks, good lord.

Good Luck and thinking of you!

I hope the sadness passes soon and that you have a fun time with your other children until he comes back

(still no hug icon?! )

It'll be hard, but it'll be ok. When my hubby was stationed in Great Lakes, IL we still lived in FL & I would send my babies to visit him. It was scary putting them on an airplane, but they have the best memories from it.

I hope it is going a bit better for you. I liked the idea above about a special calendar for your 2 yr old to tick off. Or do something special everyday like draw a picture together for your son that is away or collect rocks or something so your little one still gets time in the day devoted to his awesome big brother?

We live far away from family and so I made our 2yr old a special photo board and we talk about his grandparents and auntis and uncles all the time so they are still part of our lives even when absent. And when they call we put them on loudspeaker and whilst he doesn't always talk to them he likes to listen and nod. I dread the day we have to spend a night apart, whilst I know it is good for the kids I'm not sure it's good for the mums - really feeling 4 u

Ok so I'm still playing internet - my little guy is sick and up all night at the moment so I've got him asleep on my lap and am at the point of randomly looking at blogs found this just then and thought it was pretty cool - change dad to brother and you got a cool project...
http://jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com/2011/06/fathers-day-gift-idea-tutorial.html

Big hugs and prayers for you from one mama to another! Does your son have a cell phone where you can text/call each other every day? We mamas need to feel at peace that our kids are safe and that may be where your anxiety is rooted.

Thursday can't come soon enough. The boy needs to come home. Every time I talk to him on the phone he is a little sassier and a little more of a turd each time. Seems like he is getting little structure there. Gonna be hard to get him back into shape in time for school. Grrr....