A week with my mom - and she doesn't like to be away from home. Worried.

[Anonymous]

First off, I have to say, I love my mother. She is a wonderful, caring, compassionate woman who loves me, my husband, and our children. But, my mother hates to be away from her home from more than 48 hours. In some ways, my mom is the perfect house guests; she'll come on a Saturday morning and leave on Sunday. Sometimes we can convince her to stay and extra day, but she really likes to be in the comfort of her own home. This year, we're taking a family trip for Thanksgiving. Due to the timing of our plane and events at the kids' school, she is coming two days before we leave and then will stay over the night after we get home before going back to her house. I honestly don't think my mom has been away from her house for more than three days since I was ten years old. I'm suddenly getting worried. Anyone been in this situation?

[Anonymous]

No. Are there any reasons to be worried, OP?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I feel like my mom is becoming a bit apprehensive. I also worry that my mom will suddenly decide to stay in the hotel room, won't leave, and will insist on room service for every meal. She gets out of her element when she's gone too long, and I want to be prepared for what to do if this happens.

[Anonymous]

Does she have agoraphobia? My mom hates sleeping anywhere but her own place, but she "can" she just doesn't prefer it.

[Anonymous]

I don't like being away from home either. I feel anxious.

Don't quite see what your concerns are. Mom is being Mom.

[Anonymous]

let her take the lead on restaurants to eat at and all those sorts of things. it will give her a little control back and maybe take some of the sting out of being away and apprehensive.

I am the same way. don't dismiss her feelings, but just try to let some things go, if she's more confortable all will be as well

[Anonymous]

Ask her what you can do to make this as comfortable for her as possible. If she needs downtime in her hotel room, that's okay -- my semi-retired parents who work from home are so used to their quiet home and regimented routine that it's hard for them to leave it for any length of time as well. She'll be fine - even if it's difficult for her to be away from home, it's finite, only one week and then she'll return to her regular routine and environment soon enough. Remember that she made the choice to accompany you despite her misgivings about being away from home. And remember that the worst-case scenario (some discomfort being out of her element) really isn't that bad - she will be with her loving family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like being away from home either. I feel anxious.

Don't quite see what your concerns are. Mom is being Mom.

Not sure, but I think the concerns are about how to help the mom feel less anxious. Is there anything that helps you feel less anxious in these situations?