Offered A Work Trip? Take It, Mama!

Our youngest son, Watson, was born in December and I took four months leave from work. It was absolutely incredible, but the time went by way too fast. In April, it was time for me to go back to work. I work a remote job which enables me to be home 100% of the time and my husband’s job allows him to be at home when he’s not traveling, so we really had a good situation this go-around. After I’d been back at work for a couple weeks, my boss asked if I’d like to go to an out of town work conference which would be a really good opportunity for my career. It would mean four days away from my new baby, however. At first, I thought there was no way we could make this work. My son was five-months-old, we have three other children, and I’m exclusively breastfeeding. When my husband and I talked about it, his first words were, “You should do it! We’ll be fine!”

I told my boss that I’d go and hoped for the best. I’m so glad I did. 

Want to know what happened? Everyone was fine! Don’t get me wrong; we definitely had to plan in advance to make sure I’d pumped enough breast milk for my son and had all the supplies I needed to pump while I was away, but my littlest one took bottles and slept (mostly) fine for my husband, and the other kids were ok too! As a mom, it was bittersweet to realize my family was fine without me.

It was a little sad, but also freeing in a way.

I realized that I could do things for myself and have time alone, and yet, everyone would survive. It was really good for me to have that time to myself. I almost let my anxiety stop me from doing something that was not only good for my career, but also good for myself and my kids, who got some really good quality time with just my husband.

On this trip, I was able to have uninterrupted dinners with adults and — wait for it — use the bathroom by myself. I had time to actually think. When the work day was done, I got to go to the pool and workout, and do whatever I wanted. It was the best thing I could have done and I’m so glad I was given this opportunity, one which I didn’t even realize was something I needed. On another note, I want to show my kids that being their mom is 100% my most important and favorite job, but that my career is something I love and am passionate about as well. I know not everyone has the opportunity to have time away or can make it work with their significant other due to scheduling and other conflicts. But, if you have a chance to take a work trip and you’re on the fence about it because of how the kids will be while you’re away, my recommendation is to just say, “Yes!” You may worry sick about them while you’re gone, but trust me, they’re going to be fine. As moms, we need time to ourselves and we put ourselves last too often.

If the universe gives you a sign that it’s time to take a break, do it! You’ll come back refreshed and your kids will thank you for it.