In my early 20s I traveled regularly across the country. My job was to coordinate events and focus on community outreach for each project. I loved traveling solo and seeing different parts of the country. I have a lot of great memories and really fun stories from that season of life. Depending on the time of year, I would be away 3 or even 4 times a month.
Business Travel Feels Different as a Mom
In my role now at my organization, I have had a few work trips in the last year and man, is it different than my 20s. Being a mom and going away for work is exciting because of the change of scenery, but it is also a guilt-inducing experience.
Recently, I had two separate trips two weeks in a row for a total of 7 out of 14 days away from home. It was exciting to connect with colleagues and peers in a different way. I really tried to stay present and focus on where my feet were, but I missed my family the entire time.
The Strange Mix of Freedom and Guilt
There were moments during travel that felt freeing. It was nice to get through an airport without carrying 17 bags or pulling out endless snacks on the plane. At the same time, I found myself constantly thinking about my kids and husband.
Every gift shop, funny story, or good meal made me think, “They would love this.” That emotional pull surprised me more than anything.
Preparing My Kids for a Work Trip
Before leaving, I talked to my kids about how many days I would be gone and when they could expect to hear from me. One of my trips was on the west coast, and because of the time difference and meeting schedule, I was busy during bedtime. Instead of our normal routine, I sent videos to my husband and he sent videos back from the kids.
It was not ideal, but it helped us stay connected throughout the day.
Letting Go of “Perfect” Mom Expectations
Before my trip, I saw so many ideas online for helping kids while a parent travels for work. Some moms prepared gift bags for their kids to open each day. Others made paper countdown chains or planned elaborate goodbye traditions.
Honestly, I just did not have the capacity for any of that.
At first, I felt guilty. But between organizing the house, coordinating schedules, packing, and preparing for meetings, something had to give. And maybe that is part of the lesson. Sometimes being a working mom means accepting that you cannot do every thoughtful, Pinterest-worthy thing on top of everything else. Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough.
Kids Are More Flexible Than We Think
What surprised me most was how adaptable my kids were. They missed me and I missed them, but everyone was okay. The routines continued, the house did not fall apart, and coming home felt extra special.
As moms, I think we often carry the pressure of believing everything depends on us at all times. Traveling for work reminded me that my family can adjust, my kids are resilient, and it is okay for me to step away sometimes.
Why Work Travel Can Be Good for Moms Too
I am glad I do not travel constantly for work, but these opportunities have been a nice change of pace. They reminded me that it is healthy to have experiences outside of motherhood too. My kids get to see their mom doing meaningful work, and I come home with a deeper appreciation for our everyday routines.
