It takes discipline to administer discipline

Traveling can be hard,
but so can parenting!

This post is about an issue that has been on my mind for several weeks -- discipline.

When I was on the road more for work, being a disciplinarian to my children when I was home was not a role I assumed heartily. I can say that now since I've gained some perspective.

No one wants to be the "heavy," so I can appreciate more now how difficult it was sometimes for my husband to watch as the household descended into utter chaos when I returned from a trip. That's somewhat exaggerated, but the idea is the same. Children do better with routine, and when someone favored pops in and out of the daily routine it's a disruption.

My husband was not then, and still is not the type, when pressed, to threaten the children with lines like, "Wait until your mother gets home!" When you think about it, that's not really a threat. It's an abdication of responsibility. It's an admission that the parent has lot control. I, on the other hand, found myself very often replying, "What did your father say?" when asked by one of our daughters for a treat or favor. Why couldn't I think for myself and act accordingly instead of putting pressure on him?

Hindsight!

Which brings me to the topic today. These days, my schedule allows me to see my children off to school every morning and to tuck them in every night. My husband and I have to be in agreement really every step of the way about timing and schedules if people are to be ready and on-time. It takes discipline to keep people in line. I can't waffle.

It's not easy, but many times these days, I have to be the heavy and let my husband be the "fun one."

I saw a light at the end of the tunnel (and it wasn't a train)

When I conceived the idea for this blog nearly a year and a half ago, my outlook on the impact my professional life was having on my personal life looked bleak. That was evident in my initial post.

Since then, so many things have changed that I think I would try your patience if I started to list them all. I feel fortunate to say that most of the changes have been external. I didn't just "change my attitude." I made concrete changes. Knowing this empowers me and I hope it can embolden others and give them hope that they can change too.

The most striking change was changing jobs. I quite without a safety net. Without my next job waiting in the wings. I can't recommend this move to everyone, but for me it was a test of faith... in myself and in my greatest supporter, my husband. 

Getting back to this blog is important to me because there was, is and always will be the challenge of balancing my professional life with my personal life. In order to find fulfillment in both, there has to be balance and that's what I want to talk about.

Will you join me?

There Must Be Others Like Me

Not just a working mother, but a working mother who frequently travels for work, I lack a lot of time to cultivate many personal friendships. I do, however, have a lot of time to spend online either at work, when I'm at home after the children are in bed, or on the road when I am all alone in some depressing hotel.

I hope I can meet more women who share the experience of being a working mother who travels. It's not the glamorous life that most people associate with business travel. We who balance responsibilities at work and home can use all the support we can get.