Confession: I love business travel.  Now, I’m lucky that my need to travel for business is more rare (once or twice a quarter) and that nowadays it only requires a three hour drive.  But even when I traveled to lame places or had three hour layovers, I loved it.  And I didn’t feel guilty about it at all.

When I am traveling on company business, I’m not a mommy.  I am Robyn.  I am a highly-respected colleague.  I am a contributor to a team.  I am a problem-solver, a solution provider, and a subject matter expert. I feel like I’m Super-Woman instead of Super-Mom.  

The “Mom” in me is put on the shelf for a few days.  I don’t have to juggle. I don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner. I don’t have to wipe any butts.  Business travel is a luxurious break from my day-to-day reality.

I can have room service every night.  I can eat cheesecake for dinner and drink a little more than I should — and not have to worry about what example I’m setting for my son. 

I can sleep for only 5 hours each night but feel more rested than when I sleep for 7.5 at home. 

If I finish my work early and can make it home early, I rarely change my flights.  Instead I opt to be a tourist for a few hours in the city I’m visiting.  I can see a little of the city, do a little window shopping, and re-group.  It’s so nice to only be worried about leaving enough time to drop off the rental car. 

When I arrive to pick up my son from preschool at the end of my week, he always gives a big smile just for me and then runs over for a big bear hug.  For a split-second, I think that maybe I should travel more so that I get a greeting that like more often.

As much as I love being away on business travel, nothing beats the feeling of coming home.