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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. I am getting good reality checks here :) Keep them coming. And yes I am terrified to be alone with 2 kids (2 and 7) while he is abroad and I have no local family to help. We did it in the past but then the travel was to CA and it did feel scary to bear this responsibility for the kids on my own. Especially as my little one has physical disabilities and the medical toll is heavy. [/quote]

Age 2 and 7.  The 7 year old is old enough to understand that mom needs best behavior and a little bit of help when dad is out of town.  I have a 5 year gap to my sibling and my dad traveled on business occasionally and we lived in California with no local family nearby (one cousin 90 minutes away).  A 7 year old can help you wash up after dinner, supervise the toddler when all 3 of you are at the grocery store, sort laundry loads with you, etc.

I would say just work on your contingency planning with a few other adults.  My older child had a kindergarten friend with a divorced mom.  She and I did each other a few logistical favors over the years.

You may also want to have a plan for car dependency.  For example, I took my husband to the airport so there were always two cars at home.  That's so I'd have another one handy if I got a flat or whatever.  Now there's Uber and Lyft to help also.  Have one of the apps ready to go if needed.

Decide on some ways to keep in touch during the trips.  My gaming elementary schooler continued playing with his cousins online after long days sightseeing in England.   Now the cousins are moving to LA and he will have a very similar relationship with them because our life has gone digital.  Dad can still say goodnight to the kids some nights from Spain.

I would recommend that you talk to your geographically closest relatives and ask them if they could be a lifeline in an extreme emergency.  And that you develop a relationship with a trusted babysitter. We only used one - a daycare teacher from our kids' preschool.  Having some backup plans will make you feel better.

I love working with people from other countries and think this is great role modeling for children.  I hope your kids get a chance to go somewhere fun with frequent flyer miles![/quote]

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