I usually travel for work every other week for a couple of days--probably more than the average working mom. And travel as a working mom is rather predictable, in the sense that at some point, either, before, during, or after my trip, I can always plan on someone asking:
"So who is watching your kids while you are away?"
The question comes from men. It comes from women. It comes from peers. It comes from fellow working mothers.
I am no longer surprised by the question; in fact, I expect it. When I answer, simply saying that the kids are at home with their dad, I often see that look in their eyes. It is disbelief, it is surprise, it is pity. It's all of the above. Every. Single. Time.
What is unfortunate about these reactions is that so many people still assume that just because I am the mother and I am traveling, I must be leaving my kids with my mother, or mother-in-law, or sister, or some other very capable female. Often not considered is the very real possibility that my husband is not only running the show, but in a very competent way!
The real success of my working mother life has always been about partnership. For our family, we have always "made working work" by depending upon one another and thinking about our work and parent commitments as equally important--to each other.
On the mornings I travel, for example, it is not uncommon for my departure to occur before anyone is even out of bed. This means Scott has to ready the kids, drop them at daycare and school, and still get to his job on time--and that's early!
Additionally, in the evenings when I am away, he has to manage multiple pickups, prepare dinner, take care of homework responsibilities, and prepare everyone for the next day. By anyone's standards, male or female, this is a ton of coordination.
Our partnership works because I reciprocate by taking on the majority of drop-offs, pickups, and various appointments on weekdays when I am working from home.
Very truthfully, if Scott and I had more of a traditional marriage, whereby the majority of household and parenting responsibilities fell upon only me, the professional role I now enjoy could never have materialized. Both my career options and the development of those options would have been severely limited.
Not to overdramatize the point, but because I have this true partner in life who has been helping along the way, my career has grown and blossomed. Because my career has grown, and I feel like I have a real partner, I am a much happier individual. It all works together.
For a great product that will get your family pet in shape quickly, check out the Secrets To Dog Training Review. Another great tool that will help you drive conversations your way can be found at the Ultimate Conversations Hypnosis Review.
