In the past year, my partner has ventured to six different countries for work, while my only travels consisted of navigating down one flight of stairs to my cluttered home office. I’m not complaining; it’s a flexible gig, after all. But last week was my moment to shine.
Before becoming a mom of three in four short years, I used to travel for work fairly often. However, since transitioning to part-time work from home, my travel opportunities have vanished quicker than ice cream from my kids when the ice cream truck rolls by.
Preparing for my inaugural work trip as a mom involved crafting an epic memo detailing my kids’ schedules and their designated caregivers. Of course, my inquisitive oldest child had to know why I was packing a swimsuit when I claimed to be spending two days indoors in meetings. Caught red-handed! So, I confessed to my curious 5-year-old that the conference hotel was conveniently located on a beach.
After numerous hugs, I stepped out the door, allowing a sly grin to spread across my face as I embarked on my tropical adventure—err, business trip. Over the course of the next 56 hours, I discovered a few valuable lessons.
Time Travel is Real
I used to be skeptical, but after a flight from D.C. to Tampa that made me feel like I’d leaped back 27 years, I’m a believer. Upon entering the hotel ballroom for my conference the next morning—after a gloriously uninterrupted night’s sleep—a fellow attendee commented that I looked a decade younger. Thanks, Mom, for the youthful genes! But in my reality, where a makeup-free, frazzled 37-year-old is juggling tiny humans, no one would dare suggest I wasn’t well into adulthood. But hey, business trip, thanks for the chance to reconnect with that carefree version of myself.
Meetings Can Refresh Like a Beach Swim
There’s nothing quite like breaking free from a work rut by connecting with hundreds of like-minded professionals. During some of the most inspiring presentations, I noticed smiles and nods all around—including my own. Sure, I missed a few sessions because the charming photos of my kids were way more captivating. Yet, each day I left with fresh techniques and ideas I was eager to implement in my work. And as the sun set, I slipped into my trusty swimsuit and splashed in the ocean like a carefree kid. Honestly, I’m not sure which feeling was more invigorating.
Moms Will Always Be Moms
There’s a certain truth that ice cream tastes better when you’re in flip-flops and have sand in your hair. So, when I found myself in line at an ice cream shop behind a gaggle of boys around 10 years old, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop. They were trying to calculate how many milkshakes they could afford, only to realize they forgot to factor in tax. When they came up short, I stepped in to help, counting out coins from my wallet. Their heartfelt gratitude filled a bit of the mom-shaped void I felt without my kids.
Work Travel is the Ultimate Indulgence
While I’d prefer a proper vacation with my spouse—selecting the perfect destination and savoring kid-free time together—there’s a part of me that wouldn’t mind more work trips in between those rare couple getaways. Did I feel guilty? Absolutely. My husband had to adjust his schedule, and family members stepped in to help with the kids. But my little ones were just fine, while I enjoyed adult meals, rediscovered the joy of needing an alarm clock, and even read a book for pleasure.
It may be a while before my next solo travel adventure, but I’ll always have my beach selfies to remind me of this trip: I adore my children, but I also cherish moments away from them.
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Summary
My solo beach trip, disguised as a work conference, offered unexpected joys and realizations about motherhood and personal time. It reminded me to appreciate both my kids and the rare moments I get to step away from the daily chaos.