I rarely mention here when Jon is traveling because I don't want the general public to know when I am home alone with the boys. He is usually gone at least one night a week, more often two or three. This week was a light week as he had a day trip to Baltimore and managed to get a standby flight back early enough to meet us at the pool.
One thing that irks me is when other parents have their spouse travel for a couple of days and they say, "This isn't that hard!" I agree, it's not always hard to have a spouse gone for a couple of days. You can punt unnecessary things until they get back and do the bare minimum to get by. What I have found difficult about a traveling spouse is you can not punt those things. If I punt them, then I get to spend all my free weekend time doing those things AND prepping for Jon to be gone the following week again.
Anyway this is not a rant about having a traveling spouse. We made this decision as a couple and as long as it isn't hurting our family, he'll keep the job. It's not always easy but we make it work.
This week and next week, we get to switch roles! Tonight I am flying to Chicago for a business trip, back tomorrow night. Then I'm doing it again next week. I'll get to be the one calling from airports and sleeping in hotels and missing the kids. It should be interesting to see how the other half lives. And I may have to wear something other than pajamas to work!
9 comments:
Although you'll be working, I hope you enjoy the "break," or role-reversal, at least a little! It's good to shake things up every once in a while. Safe travels!
I am the one who travels for work - though not often but those extremely early school drop offs and late pick ups because I am out of town are hard on everyone. And spending the weekend "catching up" on all those things you punted just makes the trips seem even more daunting. Do enjoy your hotel time though! Ahh the peace and quiet!
Does Jon know that he needs to have a witty and touching blog post up by 10:00 am tomorrow, or is he going to punt that? I'll give him a pass on including awesome pictures of adorable boys.
Me too, me too! I'm working a WEEK away next week. I'm excited. Role-switching is good for many reasons.
Be sure to grab a drink with a friend or co-worker. Then call Jon while in a loud bar and tell him how great of a time you are having!
Matt was supposed to be home this afternoon but is now taking the redeye.
I never say "This isn't so hard." I always say, how do you do this all the time? Though maybe I say, this is easier than it was at 12 months.
Enjoy your trip -- I hope Jon appreciates you even more upon your return!
Would love to meet up with you in Chicago! lunch? drinks? dinner?
email me (do you need the email address?)
My husband traveled A LOT during our oldest's first 7 years. He was in a popular band so he was gone almost every weekend and sometimes up to 3 weeks at a time. It could be difficult during those longer trips, especially during the terrible two's! But that was our life. It was real shell shock when he stopped playing professionally. Now he's a stay-at-home dad and I travel a couple times a year for a week at a time. He's got it pretty easy, except now he has to care for 3 kids, where I only had 1.
I hope you had fun in Chicago. It's been really, really warm here, but don't let that stop you from exploring. Summer in Chicago is the best! It's the reason we all put up with the crazy winter weather.
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