adeline, jeangal,
What about talking to your kids before bringing them home? They can understand. But gotta be very "lor sor" and say a few times.
For me, my boy goes to my parents' place when I go for course. I will tell him a few days before that. On the day itself, gotta tell him a few times. Then when my parents bring him, he will even say "bye bye, mama". He's sticky to me and my hubby, but he's fine when we talked to him.
Sorry if you do not agree with me... Dun shoot me ya? I do not believe in letting the kids cry till they are tired and sleep. They will become emotionally hurt and the "scars" might stay with them till adulthood.