Note from Susan: It seems particularly appropriate today to run this guest post on business travel as guilty pleasure, because I’m traveling to Nashville for the BlissDom blogging conference. (Does anything say “pleasure” like “bliss”?) Fellow blogger and working mom Sarah Travaglio happily came across WMAG recently and asked if she could contribute a guest post. Um, yeah! Here’s a little background on Sarah:
I recently moved to America from Italy, and I document the trials and tribulations of being a new mom (not a natural transition for me), married to a “legal alien”, working in corporate America, on my blog, Capa Tosta.
I graduated from West Point in 2004, and never learned anything about motherhood at the nation’s largest fraternity (the United States Military Academy). I recently left my position as an officer in the Army (serving at the NATO headquarters in Naples) and brought my Italian keepsakes (husband and son) home with me to our new life in Nashville.
Her life already sounds about 10 times as interesting as mine! Also, her Italian hubs is quite a hunk. OK, now for her post:
Again I find myself upon the eve of one of my guilty pleasures…business travel. I always have a hard time saying goodbye to my husband and son, but deep down I can’t wait to take a bubble bath, order room service, and curl up in my king sized bed with the latest Nicholas Sparks novel. I’ll admit, business travel isn’t always quite that glamorous, but as I head to the airport, I have daydreams about how relaxing a full night’s sleep will be.
One of my more memorable business trips was five months after I had my son. My husband, son and I were living in Italy at the time, and I was a military officer in command of soldiers stationed in Italy and Turkey. The time had come for me to take my first post-pregnancy command trip to Istanbul and Izmir. My boss and two other men came along for the visit.
I quickly learned (with the men on either side of me in the airport security lines) that a breast pump is not something the screeners are familiar with. At each security line I went through I was thoroughly screened and had to explain what this motorized contraption with eight batteries and an array of tubes attached in various positions was. My Italian is minimal and my German and Turkish language abilities are zilch. I resorted to charades in front of my boss (awkward). I’ll let you fill in the details.
Luckily tomorrow I’ll be traveling on a direct flight to NYC, with two women and no breast pump along for the ride.
Follow more of Sarah’s working mom adventures on her blog.
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Congratulations on such a wonderful post. I really enjoyed reading it. Thank You!! I appreciate you as a customer for doing business with us… A customer is the most important visitor on our premises.Okay, go and signup on http://limosbusesjets.com & give your valuable feedback on my blogs.
Sarah,
You are not alone! I found myself nodding throughout your post. I travel frequently for work and when there's an overnight involved I start thinking of the heavenly full night's sleep I'll get.
I also feel a little bit bad for my husband as he'll be tasked with the middle of the night feedings for my newborn and cuddles with my toddler who has recently discovered shadows. But, hey, I do it every other night – he can survive!
I never had anyone bat an eyelash at my breast pump three years ago, and now it's a major event going through airport security. The biggest challenge for me is needing to carry it – when I'm already toting a laptop, notebooks, overnight bag, etc. I have it all, and I carry it all with me! Ha!
Thanks for the guest post. I'm already looking forward to my next trip!
I can sympathize. I'm on active duty in the Navy and had to play the travel/breast pump game all the way to Singapore. Making the motion of a baby worked only part of the time.
Great article and I can totally relate! I have traveled almost weekly since my kids were 1 and 3 (now they're 25 and 27). I always felt guilty leaving them with a nanny, and also felt guilty for loving the travel.
Now I help other women travel successfully, whether they're moms, wives, single and anything inbetween.
Carol http://www.smartwomentravelers.com
p.s. I posted a link to this article on Twitter under @smartwomentrav.
Might want to do your homework on your guest blogger next time. Her facebook updates less than a month ago we literally hour by hour complaints about having to balance motherhood with work when her stay at home husband had to travel for the first time since her son was born. She wears her ability to pawn raising her child on her husband on her sleeve and is the first to complain if even half of the responsibility to care for the child comes her way when the italian hubby isn't able to be Mr Mom 24/7.
Might want to do your homework on your guest blogger next time. Her facebook updates less than a month ago we literally hour by hour complaints about having to balance motherhood with work when her stay at home husband had to travel for the first time since her son was born. She wears her ability to pawn raising her child on her husband on her sleeve and is the first to complain if even half of the responsibility to care for the child comes her way when the italian hubby isn't able to be Mr Mom 24/7.
Catherine, Ms. Lewis and Carol: Thank you for your comments and glad you could relate to my post!
Anonymous: Whoa, whoa, whoa!! Sense of humor, anyone? Pretty sure you don't live in our house, so wouldn't be too quick to judge.
Thanks!! ~Sarah
Oh yes…and Anonymous: My (AMAZING) Italian hubs goes to school FULL-TIME (in his second language) and has a JOB! Our little guy goes to daycare everyday–like many other children with two working parents. Just wanted to set the story straight for the rest of the WMAG!
~Sarah (proud working momma, with an amazing hubby and son)
Sarah,
As a mother I can't tell you how true your post was! As far as Anonymous…he/she should probably suck it (a breast pump that is!) Doesn't anonymous understand Motherhood + Work + Being Single while the hubs is away = SOOO DIFFICULT?
This is a GREAT website and I truly enjoyed your Guest Blogspot Sarah. Fantastic!
Sincerely,
Stephanie (stressed but happy working mom)
Sarah, we usually have very supportive commenters on WMAG. After all, we are "against guilt." So ignore the trolls — your post was great and I know a lot of working moms can relate. Thanks for being our guest!
Thanks Stephanie and Susan. I was honored to be your guest. What a fun day!!!
Anonymous, please take your personal attacks on our guest blogger somewhere offline. That's not how we roll on WMAG.
Enough Anonymous. Would LOVE to hear all about your glowing past, present, and future. We like her. Go elsewhere. It sounds you must be jealous of Mrs. Travaglio and her cute, honest, hardworking family!
Sarah I'm an avid reader of WMAG, and I'm embarrassed about this creep. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Stephanie (a BIG supporter)
Dear WMAG,
I am not a "MOM", just raising some other woman's children with the children's father (my Boyfriend of almost 9 years with a break or two). I was turned onto this blog by my sister, your Guest Blogger, SARAH! No woman, no matter the situation, has an easy time with children (their own or their Almost Step Teenagers!)
I could never be more proud of my sister. Sarah has worked hard and honestly to get where she is. I know she loves her job, but LOVES her husband Gaetano unconditionally as well as my adorable nephew! Our entire family and network of friends supports them 100%.
I was invited to visit my sister last month when her husband was out of town. We were looking forward to some SISTER TIME, and me spoiling my nephew rotten! Unfortunately weather caused me to drive 90 miles one way (it took 3 hrs) and then back home (3 more hours) due to dangerous road conditions. My sister prevailed and did just fine on her own!
I AGREE with my awesome sis, anyone who doesn't respect her should probably NOT read the blog or be her so called "friend" on Facebook!
GREAT BLOG!
Dayla (Sarah's Sister)