Mary- We are wrestling with the same exact thoughts! However- I planned to travel and leave dh home with the boys. My mother would be my travel mate. Then I decided- we both need to bond with our daughter asap- as we are both working parents- and depending upon the time of travel- I would have to go back to work 6-12 weeks later. So I feared that she may not bond enough with dh if he did not go and he watches our kids during the day- as we flip flop schedules ( teacher/cop).
My 7 year old- will be 8 desperately wants to go and I really think he could handle it and i would love for him to experience the trip- however- the 4 and 2 year old - well- sadly- I know it would be too much. I would feel guilty taking just my older son- as they are all very close and my 4 year old would take it personally.
So for now- the plan of action is...
kids will stay in school- with their routines/schedules in tact. They will either stay at my parents house- ( they live about 5 blocks away) or my pArents will stay here.
Dh and I will go together without the kids. My biggest fear would be them getting sick or contracting a parasite or such.
In a way it works out perfect- we always said we would go away for our 10 year anniversary- well it looks like we will no! China- to add our daughter!
I figure when the kids are all 10 and older we will make the trip back as a family to tour and see the country again. I know it is not the same- but I just do not want to gamble with the risks.
Good Luck with your decsion- every family is different- so you need to do what is best for you guys.
BTW- I have only been away from the boys for 5 days at the longest and it was tough! I know the 2 weeks will be really tough- but worth it to us all in the end!
