Part 2: The Prep
I’ve traveled for work throughout my entire career but after becoming a mother, the exercise of preparing to leave took on a whole new level of complexity and stress. It’s already a lot to have to think about everything that needs to be packed and planned for your own needs. Now layer on the worry of leaving the family on their own and the work of setting them up for success in your absence. The thought alone is enough to downright exhaust even the highest-energy super-mom on the block!
After a lot of practice and a solid amount of trial and error, I’ve learned a few steps that help me load-up and head to the airport without a knot in my stomach. The happy girl in the photo above is brought to you by the following tips:
Think it Through
Mentally walking through the time I will be gone and the things I typically cover in the household is where I usually start. Do you get the groceries? Load the house up the weekend before you leave or see if your spouse or partner can take a turn being responsible for the shopping. Do you always make sure the kids have what they need for daycare and school? What can you do ahead of time to help ease your mind that its handled? Thinking through the day to day things you normally do on autopilot and making sure they are covered while you are gone will give you a little bit more peace of mind while you are away.
Identify the Non-Negotiables
What are the things that simply must happen at home while you’re away? And I’m talking MUST. As in, the children must eat and sleep and wear clothes. Not the children must eat organic, go to bed at exactly the same time they do when you are home and be dressed in coordinating outfits. I’m talking survival here, people. Identifying the essentials and making sure those things are set to happen with minimal effort can help ease a stressed traveling mama’s mind. Not to mention that whoever is left at home keeping the little ones alive and well will appreciate the forethought too!
A few of mine, other than the obvious ones I listed above, are all centered around safety. Proper use of car seats, life jackets, bumpers on the bed, choking hazards kept out of reach etc. Can you tell I treat worrying like an Olympic sport? But because I know this about myself, making sure the hubs and I are on the same page of the importance of those safety measures before I depart gives me just a little more peace of mind.
Temper your Expectations
Now that you’ve determined what really matters, guess what’s next? You guessed it. Let go of your expectations around EVERYTHING else. None of that other stuff really matters in the grand scheme of things. If the trash doesn’t get taken out, if the kids go to bed an hour later than normal, if they don’t get their typical every other day (okay maybe every third day) bath… they will live. You will live. Life will go on! Giving a little grace to my husband along with a giant dose of gratitude for him manning the home front alone is key to making work travel work in the long term. Another benefit to keeping realistic expectations is that if you expect a little less, you may just be pleasantly surprised when you get home to a halfway tidy home or a squeaky-clean kiddo.
Call in Reinforcements
While I’m sure your partner or support system is perfectly capable, sometimes an additional set of hands is just what the situation calls for. Support comes in all different shapes and sizes, from neighbors to friends to your church community- there are always people eager to help out. Usually all it takes is asking. I’m super lucky to have a mom and mother-in-law who are willing and able to come to the rescue when things are hectic or trips are longer than a few days. Could we survive without the help they offer? Probably. Do we want to imagine that world? Absolutely not.
Check In and Check Out
Last but not least, to borrow a line from everyone’s favorite rebel princess “let it go”. Once you’ve left the home base, you’ve got to let it go and trust that it’s all going to be fine. Don’t check in a dozen times a day. Don’t obsess over it being 12:05 and wondering if the kids have had lunch yet. Be where your feet are and take a moment to enjoy the adult conversation, the personal space and the beautiful, magical uninterrupted hotel room sleep.
What tips do you have for prepping to be away on work travel? I can’t wait to hear!