Travelling for work during the initial stages of a job can be so thrilling and glamorous. You get to visit new cities, explore new places, and be a part of exciting ventures. After a few months, however, the excitements start to fade as you get exhausted from constantly being on the road, eating by yourself every day which can become especially difficult when you are missing your kids.
When you are a working travelling mom, managing your job’s expectations and the daily parental drill, having to go on a business trip can put a strain on your carefully crafted balance. Even when you love your job and the work that you get to do, not all days are going to be thrilling, and there will be times when you miss your bed a little too much, you feel guilty for not being consistently there for your kids, and probably dread the thought of missing out on your kids’ milestones as they grow up.
Managing personal life being a travelling mom does not have to be so stressful from start to finish. When figuring out how to become a traveling mom, you need a proper system that puts you in a more comfortable and liberated position to handle things and function properly. It can help you overcome the guilt of your life choices and prevent you from getting burnt out or frustrated from work.
Here are some things you can do as working travelling mom to make your job trips a little more manageable and guilt-free.
- Consider It A Break
Anyone with kids would know that being a parent is a full-time job in itself. According to research, working mothers spend approximately 98 hours a week working. The conventional work week adds up to 40 hours, and the rest is the hours you put into being a mom. So, in essence, a working mom is working overtime all the time.
Being a mother is tiresome, and you get almost no time for yourself. It might be a good idea to perceive these travelling endeavors as a much-needed break from you’re your overwhelming routine of being a working mom. Being away from your regular duties gives you a chance to get some quality sleep. You can take some time out for a workout or yoga – anything that puts your mind at ease and helps you start afresh once you get back.
- Be A Tourist
While you might not always get enough time to do this but try to do something that you haven’t done before, it might be exploring a new place, eating at a new café, or going on a tour bus. On hectic days of being in conference meetings, you would probably feel like staying your room, ordering the room service. But by doing something new and exciting can give you feel touristy and it makes for a good opportunity to decompress from the day.
- Talk to Your Family Every Single Day
Technology has made it easier for us to get on a skype conference call to talk to our loved ones. It is understandable that you would not have time for long video calls every day, and that is not always necessary. Try to take as little as five minutes out of your daily routine to check in with your kids and husband. It can also give a momentary relief during the day as you talk about your activities and ask about their day. Make sure that in the process, you understand and respect space and time boundaries.
- Do Not Feel Guilty
It can be pretty challenging to make peace with your decisions and life choices but feeling guilty is not going to bring the best out of you. Working hard as a travelling mom, you are providing for your family as a smart, independent woman. You are setting an outstanding example of strength and resilience in your kids which they will appreciate growing up. It might not be an ideal scenario, but you should not be feeling guilty for doing something that you are passionate about.
- Take Advantage of Miles/Points You Earn
There are some airlines that dominate frequency and price-wise to your destinations. You can use that as an opportunity to save up which you can later use to take your family on a summer vacation and enjoy the fruits of your labor once every year.
- Let Your Partner Rest and Have A Night/Day to Themselves
While you might be tired from your trip, always ensure that if your partner needs a break or have to go away from home, let them do it. It is a great gesture of showing appreciation for all they have been doing while you were away. If your significant other also has to travel for work, you can take out some time for both of you to catch up.
- Do Not Hesitate to Ask for Support/Help When Needed
Having a support system and network can make the task of balancing the work and personal life much easier for a travelling mom. If you have any relatives, friends, or neighbours, you can rely on, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help so that things don’t get blown up while you are away from your kids. If you do not know anyone you can trust with your kids, you can use the services of a childcare facility. The important thing here is to make sure that your kids are in good hands in your absence.
- Bring Inspiration Home
While being away can be challenging, it is important to acknowledge that your children will grow up knowing the work you do, and where it takes you around the world. You can use the little time that you get with your kids to talk about an exciting experience or a surprising encounter. You can also talk about how you got to learn about a certain culture or language. These teachable moments can become a source of inspiration for your child, and they reinforce a positive message about the work you do.
Managing your career as a travelling mom while fulfilling your responsibilities at home is a balancing act. But when you are passionate about your work and love what you get to do every day, it is very much possible to be yourself still while having a well-adjusted and happy family.
