Travel Weeks

I am not only a working mom, but also a traveling working mom. I have been traveling for the last year every other week for four days. This project that I am managing will go until the end of next summer. It is hard to travel with two young kids and I don't see myself doing this long term, especially after both my kids start school. But in the meantime, I do everything to make it work. I love my job and my family.

For moms who also travel, even an occasional travel, i wanted to give some tips that work for me...

- Always have backups, especially try to find a sitter who can come in on a whim, when the school is out for snow or when one of the kids is sick

- Plan, plan, plan: I plan for all the meals, kids activities, things to take to school, lunch menus, etc. Every week that I travel, we make a weekly plan with all the activities including dinner, snacks, library day at school, etc.

- Work late when you travel, and don't bring work home. I don't work after 5:00 pm when I am home and almost never over the weekend

- Make the most of your time when you are home. I volunteer at both of my kid's schools on the weeks that I am in town, I make breakfast every morning for the young one, I walk to school bus every morning with my older one, I make dinners, do puzzles, coloring, and play all kinds of games with them.

- Explain to your kids why you have to travel and when. Be specific and clear on when you will be back, don't give inaccurate information even if it is hard to tell them sometimes. We always talk about how many sleeps mommy will be gone.

- Ask for help: Talk to teachers and coaches about your schedule. Ask them to watch for things that are unusual. Ask help from family members if they live close by. It also helps to have a loving and helpful husband. I am lucky that mine falls into that category.

- Keep your sprits up. Think about thousands of people who do not have jobs and be thankful for your blessings.

- If you are miserable, then look for a new job. Life is too short to be doing something that you don't like especially if it is keeping you away from your loved ones...

Keep up the good work and still have a daily dose of domestic bliss...