- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Working Moms
reb562
member
Is anybody a traveling/road warriorette?
reb562
member
in Working Moms
Hi, My wonderful job has me traveling 75% of the time. In truth I love it, however with baby on the way I'm a little nervous of my situation.
The only way I can get out of the travel is if I step down in my position and honestly, I don't want to do it. I'm the big chief in my neck of the woods and personally my career is important to me...I want to keep growing with this company and that means I can't afford to go backwards.
I feel safe and secure with my job and the owners of the company are just happy for me. They don't care how many kids I have as long as I can keep doing my job well.
So...l have to ask...how do you do it? how do you travel? pump? etc...I need a little help please....thanks! reb562
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Is anybody a traveling/road warriorette?
I don't have to travel a whole lot yet but my travel will be ramping up a bit over the next year. I'm sure others will be able to offer more specific advice but from my experience so far here are my thoughts:
Long story short, good luck! Things will work out, even if it's not the plan you envision right now. It may have to be one of those things you figure out along the way.
Great question!
I am in a similar boat. I love my job and can't imagine leaving it (and especially can't imagine leaving the pay!) I travel by plane 2-3 weeks a month. My DH is amazing and he knew what he was signing up for when we got married as I had the same job... so I am anticipating him totally stepping up. My biggest concern is that we will have to rely on babysitters/nanny/daycare/whatever we end up with - we don't have any family close by...
Looking forward to seeing some responses!
I don't travel as much as you, probably about 30% of the time I spend on the road. I am still BF'ing almost 7 months out, and there have been times where I want to quit. If you do BF, I recommend a good travel cooler on wheels. I also got over my fear of pumping in strange places - I've done restrooms, Amtrak bathrooms, car, airport bathrooms, etc. Also, hotel ice machines will become your best friend!
I second a good support system. DH and I both travel and work long hours, so finding a nanny we trust was a must for us with our crazy schedules. We love our nanny and we know she loves E and knowing she is with him makes it easier for me to travel. I know my job is what allows us to afford a nanny, so I take advantage of the time I do have with E - it is not quantity, but quality. My nanny does light housekeeping, so when I am home with E, I can spend 100% of that time with him - I don't have to worry about laundry, dishes, vacuuming, etc. The nanny is probably the one thing that has made my transition back to work easy - and I also WFH on the days I don't travel, so I have a little extra time in the mornings with E.
And, don't be hard on yourself or surprised if once LO is here, you find your priorities change. I still travel a lot, but I make sure that my trips have a purpose and not just putting face time. Time away from E is hard, so I make sure those trips are super productive so I don't have to travel as frequently.
I travel 25-30% of the time and it's hard but doable. My DH is super dad and totally steps up a lot because my job is demanding even when I'm not traveling. I don't think that 75% is all that doable or realistic though unless your DH is willing to essentially be a single dad most of the time. What is his job situation like? My DH is leaving for a year (Army) and honestly, I'm freaking out about being on my own and mine is 14 months old.
My career is also important to me, but there is no way I could travel that much. Also, the EVP of our office used to travel like that and her DH was the primary caregiver for her boys and even she couldn't sustain it and she is super, duper driven.
Hey There-
I travel about once a month and it's usually 1-3 days. At first, I hated it more than I ever knew I would. Emotionally, it was really hard leaving DS. I am now ok with it, but personally would prefer to travel less, and am actually actively pursuing a different position at my organization where I won't travel as much. I agree with everyone else, it sounds like you have a supportive company, so I'd keep an open mind and just play it by ear. A couple of suggestions -
I am still pumping and DS is almost 15 months. It is doable. You just have to be committed to it. I've pumped in cars, in airport bathrooms, airplane bathrooms.. You name it, I've pumped there. I've made sure I maintain a very healthy diet and drink more water than I ever thought possible. That way, if there are a few hours (especially in the beginning) where I can't pump due to meetings, etc., my supply doesn't tank as much. There were times my supply decreased, but I kept at it and it went back up.
When I travel, I make sure I use some flex time in the days after to spend with DS. It makes my trips that much more manageable knowing I'll have some special time with him after.
I also ask my husband to take some time off when I'm gone. That way I know DS is getting some special bonding time with him.
You'll be amazed at the things you can handle as a working mom. I think just give it a whirl, see what works and what doesn't. You'll know how much you can handle.
A Boy's Room
I travel 2-3 nights at a time about once a month, but I work out of my car every day, and am currently still breastfeeding. My suggestions:
Take as long of a maternity leave as possible, and during that time, build up as much of a stash as you can. I went back to work with 700+ oz, mostly accumulated by waking up in the middle of the night to pump. (I was blessed with a baby who STN early, so this made the night-pumping doable) Rotate your stock once you start going back to work. Having some breathing room where BM is concerned helps a bunch!
Hire someone to help clean your house. That way, you won't feel obligated to do it during your free time, and you can spend that time with your LO. Plus, there is nothing like walking into nice clean house after being on the road all day.
Get a second pump. I have one for my car, and used one at home. I have to pump one breast every morning due to my oversupply, and having a second pump in my car ready to go every day helps a bunch. Also, get 2-3 extra sets of flanges, etc. Oh, and stash bottled water/snacks in your car (or carry-on, etc).
I just took my first trip by air, and bringing breast milk back with me was super easy. Don't worry about that yet, just know that it shouldn't be a problem once you get there.
Get one of those "family planning" calendars where each member of the family, including LO, gets a space for things every day. Plan out a week or two in advance who needs to go where, and when. My family lives and breathes by our calendar. We never really needed one before LO came along, so it took some getting used to, but it really helps.
Don't feel like you have to appreciate EVERY SINGLE MOMENT you have with LO. (I hate when people tell you that you must enjoy every minute!) As long as you recognize and appreciate the special moments you have with LO, you can let go of some of that guilt that comes with not being with LO 24/7. Not every moment is worth remembering or stressing about. I guess this is my best piece of advice, really.
Best of luck to you!
I was hoping for more as well, but I guess many of the road warriors aren't bumping!
I'm starting back to a travel heavy schedule next week after two years of being mostly at home. Luckily this time my travel will be in a 4-5 state area instead of nationwide. And I determine my schedule. The worst weeks will be travel Monday, overnight, home late Tuesday afternoon, then travel Wednesday, overnight, home Thursday. Office day on Friday.
For me it works due to the fact that my husband is 100% involved and able to DO EVERYTHING on his own, without prompting, and always has been (bathing, bedtimes, playtime, stories, DC drop off, food prep, diaper laundry, etc.) He also has a flexible job schedule as a professor. An able support network is key!
Little guy is 2 and it will be hard missing him, but we Facetime or Skype two times per day. He frequently 'eats dinner' with me on travel days.
Agree with PP, if you can afford it...hire help to clean and take care of the house so you can enjoy your time with your family.
I did BF on past company meetings. Request a refrigerator in your hotel room and find a cooler size that fits your needs. I just used a REALLY big lunch cooler (soft, padded) and the hotel put my blue ice in their freezer overnight before I left so I would be good on the plane.
Rest, make time for exercise, make time for hubby, etc.
Good luck!
I have a very demanding career that requires potential travel for weeks/months. I am also super-driven and will not give up my career. I am a medical officer in the military.
Unfortunately, it is really hard for us when I have to go away. DH is a pilot in the military and has a much less reliable schedule. We have had my parents come down when I've had to leave for extended periods. DD goes to daycare and we do not want or have a nanny. We do have a few great babysitters who help us a lot.
As for BFing, I saved a good stash. You can pump, stay at hotels with fridges, and bring it home in a cooler. It can be done.
We have a cleaning service, so we do not clean at all. DH is a wonderful dad who shares parenting/household duties with me 50/50 (as it should be!)
If you love your career, then keep working at it! I totally understand. So many friends expect me to just give up my military career now that I have a child. I'm not going to do that. I love going to work every single day. I love to deploy. I love going on humanitarian missions. We make it work. You can too!
Every three months (give or take) I am away from home for 2 weeks. Sometimes my trips are more frequent and are typically 1-2 weeks in duration. Initially it was the hardest thing ever and while it never is fun, it does get some what easier and it kinda of becomes routine. My husband also travels for work and he can be gone up to 6 weeks, sometimes overseas.
I agree with PP that having a support system is key. Not just for whomever is at home with LO, but for you too while you are on the road! I call my mom or BF to vent. My supervisor is also my support, he is the best at being very understanding.
My daughter was 4 months old when I left for my first trip. I did not BF so I don't have tips for that, sorry.
Skype if its an over-nighter. My daughter freaked he first time, but eventually she learned the special ringtone.
Let go of things being perfect when you get back. Everytime I am out of town the house is a hot mess when I return! But my kid is fed, clean, and happy and that is what matters.
Not sure if your travel is day trips or whatever but freezer meals are the best! Not only for you but for whomever is watching LO while you are away.
You sound passionate about your career, you will be fine!
Me!! LOL. Sorry, been offline for a few days.
I hold a Director level position and travel 75-80% of the time (by plane with a moderate amount of international travel as well).To be honest, it was hard in the beginning. I was able to take 14 weeks off, but I stayed available by email/phone. My collegues were respectful though and only got in touch if they REALLY needed me. Once I started traveling, I was heartbroken and DH and I discussed me finding a different job. But the more I traveled, the easier it became, and now that DS is 15 months, it's really fun to come home and see his excitement. I'll also say that while my boss knows I'm committed, he also knows my son comes first. I've worked for him for 10 years and he has three small kids of his own, so he gets it, which helps a lot.
My best advice is to arm yourself with a great support system. My husband is self-employed so has a lot more flexibility than the average dad. He's also an amazing father. His mom (who I love) lives about 5 minutes from us and watches DS 2-3 days a week. We also found an uber-amazing nanny who watches DS the other 2-3 days a week and is flexible when we need her for additional days/hours.
Outside of having a good support system, I'd also say that if you can afford to outsource things like cleaning, etc., do it. When I'm home, I want to spend time with DS, not doing laundry or cleaning. I try to make the most of the time we have together so that when I am away, it doesn't seem like I'm "missing" so much.
If you have specific questions or need a sounding board, feel free to PM me