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Have you taken a business trip since having kids? Is it an enjoyable break or something you dread?”

Asked by The Work It, Mom! Team on 20th December 2007

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Comments so Far...

Definitely.

The last one was Dallas. I tore that mall up-LOL!

The new gig I have now will require a moderate amt of travel, and I look forward to it.

By day 4, I am usually ready to go back home though...

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Uhura on 8th January 2008
My hubby and I went away once on a work-related trip when our son was 2-months old. At that time, we had a webcam set up, and so on breaks, I'd sit down at the laptop and watch the little guy wiggle and squirm in his pack-n-play. It was nice to keep in touch (as a nervous new mom, even though my sister -- with 3 kids of her own -- could more than handle the job) and also nice to be away and "surface for air" in a sense. My husband and I went to dinner by ourselves for the first time in a long time. The grand achievement of that trip is that I successfully saved 16 bags of frozen milk for son ... and he had just finished the last one as we walked in the door after the trip!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by KC on 21st December 2007
Going away is a welcome break for me as well, just as OliveMartini says, you don't have to feel guilty or answer to anyone. But then I find that coming home is a bumpy reentry. I've only gotten away for work twice (my kid is almost 7, so as you can see I don't need to leave town much. My husband, on the other hand travels several times a year. I have found those trips to be more difficult when my son was younger, but the last 2 years have mostly been a blast. He does miss his Dad though, and I am beat when he comes home and he's exhausted too. I've told him in the past that he was lucky to get away. But he never feels that way. He always feels rung out. Now going away for a vacation without my son? That's a whole other story. That doesn't acutally exist for more than one night about 3 times since my kid has been born. Gotta work on that one.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Molly Gales on 21st December 2007
I used to really enjoy traveling. My daughter is 5 mo old, we are EBF at this point and I have taken one trip. What a pain it was to first of all check my luggage (I'm not used to that) and finding places to pump both in the airport and where my meeting was... it was a nightmare!! I have told my job that the traveling will be severely restricted for a few years not only because of breastfeeding but I just miss my babe and don't have that itch at the momet.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Tiffany on 20th December 2007
Air travel these days is really a pain, but I've taken(and enjoyed) several business trips since my daughter was born (she's 3 now). Mostly travel to Boston of Chicago (live in Georgia) but I also took a week trip to Switzerland. That one was fabulous. It is nice to spend time totally by myself and remind myself that I am still me! I don't need to consider anyone else's feelings. It is nice to enjoy museums and shops without having to listen to whining or worrying that your child is going to knock something over. Of course I miss my little girl terribly when I travel...

Flag as inappropriate Posted by biomom on 20th December 2007
Back a few years when travel was fun, business trips were like mini vacations..I got to go to great places, stay in decent hotels and socialize wth grown ups..almost none of whom required help wiping their butts..room service, maybe I'd splurge on a massage. Big hassle arrange child care etc. for the kids--but since I earn way, way more than my dh, he had to step up and suck it up and be totally responsible while I was gone. I felt guilty a bit, but not too much, since it was me time. My job, my travel! Now, tho, I DREAD travel. Air travel out and out stinks from the get go these days. International travel is fine (other than those 20+ hours on a plane)--I'll travel anywhere in asia with no qualms. Travelling in the US or Canada ??!!! Eww, can't i do a conf call or webcast??

Flag as inappropriate Posted by OliveMartini on 20th December 2007
Ah business trips! I have taken many 4-7 day business trips since my twins were born 16 months ago. It is a blessing and a curse. The very first trip was when they were 2 months old, and I was having so much trouble adjusting to being a mom that I was thrilled to get out of the house! Since then, however, things have changed, and I don't like traveling. While it is still a good break to go away, the prep to get ready is a big deal. (Food, schedules, backup people for my husband, laundry, pay bills, etc.) Then when I come back, the kids are upset with me and very clingy. Their sleeping is usually affected for a week or so when I return, and it is a mess. I'm trying to change positions so that I travel less right now.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by spacegeek on 20th December 2007