The answer to this depends on the age of your child. Babies are sensitive to separation. We see this because they react to their parents when their parents come back from an extended absence. A one-year old baby may fuss a bit when his mom doesn't come back after a number of hours. Or he may scream for a long time. But eventually he gives up and settles down. When Mom comes back, the baby may be happy and seem perfectly normal. Seeing how well he took her absence, Mom may decide to go away again within the next couple of months. This time, however, when she returns the baby ignores her for a few days and then becomes impossibly clingy. The baby seems highly anxious at any sign of separation and this can last for 8 months or a year! This is how we know that even the first absence was poorly tolerated - the baby didn't show his stress that time, but the cumulative effect of the second absence throws him over the top. Do all babies react poorly to a few days absence of their parents? No. You just don't know if yours will be fine or not so fine. Now if your child is old enough to talk and understand some time concepts, separation is often easier. Talking about your trip, making a picture book about it, and asking the child what SHE would like to hold onto while you are gone can be helpful. For instance, would she like you to buy her a new stuffed animal to cuddle with while you're away? Does she want a picture of you on her pillow? Does she want some pretty new pajamas? A small gift can make a child a lot happier about your departure. Also, letting her know that you will bring something back for her can also take the sting out of the separation. If the gift is good enough, she'll soon be ASKING you to leave! Putting a calendar on the fridge and drawing some pictures on it - Mommy is leaving on Day 1, Mommy is shopping on Day 2, Mommy is on the beach on Day 3 and Mommy comes home on Day 4 can help the child cope bit by bit with Mom's absence. The child can mark off each day with her caregive just before bedtime. The question is, how will YOU cope with the 4 day absence? It sounds like you and your baby are in the symbiotic stage - tuned into each other and very much needing each other. If this trip is optional, you might postpone it until you feel comfortable inside yourself about going away. Moms and babies don't stay in that symbiotic stage forever - it passes and there will be lots of time in the future to take little holidays. However, if you do need to go, don't worry about it. Even if your baby is unhappy during or after the separation, she will recover and be fine. Her long term development will not be negatively affected. She'll never even remember the episode in her life! Sarah Chana