I’m a Travelin’ Mom

I’m hitting the skies again, today. This week, I’m off to Orlando for BlogOrlando, a blogging and social media (un)conference hosted by Hyku and Josh Hallett. I’ll be liveblogging tomorrow over at Where Do You Stand? the collaborative blog of Standing Partnership.

I’m traveling more than usual this quarter. Last week I was in St. Louis and in two weeks I’ll be flying off to Miami for another conference. Two more work trips to St. Louis, a weekend in Vegas and then a family trip to the midwest will close out the remainder of my travel for the year.

In most of the families I know, it’s the dad that travels for business, and the mom that holds down the fort at home. My travel makes it possible for me to have my dream job and work at home when I’m in Charlottesville. Sometimes the air travel, delays and long, long days wear on me, but it’s all really worth it. What really makes it possible though, is that my husband and my kids are behind me. The only one that’s crabby when I’m leaving again is Clover.

The kids keep it together while I’m gone. The boy is responsible and enjoys that he gets the car all day when I’m away. The girl makes an extra effort to be good (uh, usually) and is helpful. She gives me a hug and says goodbye, and never makes me feel bad about leaving, again. (I do fine with that, myself.)

I have to really applaud my husband — he’s always encouraging when another trip is on the horizon. He says, “Just go,” and means it. He handles everything while I’m gone, from kids’ schedules to meals; school issues, sick dog fun (on one trip, Clover ate a bag of chocolate candy and barfed for days) and general household stuff. Often, upon my return, the house has been cleaned. If my flight arrives just before dinner, I come home to delicous food on the table and a smiling family.

This must be what it was like to be a dad in the 1960s.

So thank you, family. I’m off again for a few days but, as always, I look forward to getting back to be with you again.