In the past I tried every approach with Jack:
Not saying anything and just disappearing, leaving someone else in the family to break the news.  
Telling him WAY in advance so he could get used to the idea.  That didn't work, he just pouted longer (not because he didn't want me to go...but that he worried that much longer about me being out in the woods alone).
Telling him under my breath when he was preoccupied with something else...then saying he must have forgotten what I said.
I finally settled on telling him about a week ahead...he still fretted but not for so long.  
He was always mostly glad when he knew he wasn't going to be asked to come along  ;D
So now that issue all in the past...but I miss the homecomings.
IC