I love my husband. I love my kids. I also enjoy my job and the fact that I am getting additional responsibilities. The first additional responsibility is attending a large conference a few states away for a couple of days. While I am excited to go learn and see and do, there was a slight minute of hesitation when I found out about it.
This is the first time I’ve been away for the night, never mind a couple of days. As soon as all the “what ifs” started crawling into my head, I decided I wasn’t going to worry about them. Instead, I was going to focus on this unique opportunity in front of me. I decided there were four things I am NOT doing on my business trip.
- Not worry about my children. Well, no more than I worry about them on any other given day. My husband may not have been happy with the fact that he would be getting his first taste of solo parenting, but he’s their father. He is more than capable of caring for them and it would just be insulting to think otherwise. Besides, if things aren’t going well, there’s always Kidz Watch!
- Not feel bad about enjoying quiet time. I am going to read a book I have had checked out of the library for more than a month but haven’t even opened once. I may finally flip through a couple of magazines that have gone neglected. I may just sit and surf the web, or answer work emails, or, heck, actually get a blog post written with no one (save the Wifi gods) to interrupt me.
- Not going to stay on one side of the bed while sleeping. I plan on sleeping like a starfish, all stretched out and probably on the diagonal. I get a whole bed to myself. I won’t have someone snoring next to me. I won’t have animals or children waking me up in the middle night.
- Not going to just stay at the hotel. If I have a moment, I plan to do a little sight seeing. Without little ones with me. I can take 5 minutes to photograph something or pop into a store with lots of little items, just because. I will also definitely keep up the tradition of enjoying the best local foods.
One thing I am doing? My return flight will be getting in after my girls, and likely my husband, have been to bed. I will definitely be giving my girls a big hug the second they wake up and enjoying some extra cuddle time when I get back!
Do you travel for work? What tips do you have for moms who travel?