Balancing Parenthood and Work: Survival Tips for Moms Who Travel

Balancing Parenthood and Work: Survival Tips for Moms Who Travel

Being a mother is already a full-time and very demanding job, so adding work and business travel on top of that can send your stress levels into overdrive and turn exhaustion into a way of life. You’re basically constantly a few steps away from a full-blown burnout. 

From the outside, it might look like you have it all: a family, a career and the privilege to travel the world. While some may envy you for your seemingly glamorous lifestyle, or praise you for not giving up on your professional aspirations after becoming a mom, none of the perks and admiration matter when you find yourself overwhelmed by all the tasks you have to deal with and the pressure that comes with being both a mother and a career woman. 

You can be grateful for all of it, and still acknowledge the shortcomings and how challenging it is to do it all. And you can also look for ways to juggle parenting and business travel, so you can keep it up without putting your health and wellbeing at risk. 

Take advantage of downtime while traveling 

While business trips are not exactly relaxing, there will be times in between meetings and other work-related activities when you won’t have much to do, so you should take full advantage of these moments to catch up on rest and maybe even have a bit of fun. Take a nap, eat at a nice restaurant, go for a stroll and unwind. After all, it would be a shame to travel to another country and not make time to explore some of the local attractions and landmarks. 

At home, the chores never end, and you might be used to filling every moment with activity, so you don’t feel like you’re falling behind. But when you’re away and you’re met with the rare occasion where you don’t have to cook, clean, pick up the kids from school, plan play dates, and so on, you need to make it count. Think of it as a break from your job as a parent. So, instead of thinking about all the things you have to do later, or worrying about what’s happening at home, allow yourself to enjoy these breaks and make the most of them. 

Keep in touch with your family, but don’t overdo it 

When you’re traveling for work, it’s normal to miss your kids and wonder how they are doing, but you shouldn’t let emotions rule the show. You may be tempted to call several times a day and check on your children as often as possible, but that can make matters worse for you and for them. You’ll find it harder to focus on your work and increase your kids’ separation anxiety – and even disrupt their routine if you keep calling all the time. 

It’s best to have a set schedule for video calls and establish specific hours for you to talk, taking into account time differences and your kid’s activities, as this will make it easier for you to stay connected. If you’re traveling to a different country like Japan and worry about potential connectivity issues, make sure to check out Holafly Travel’s eSIM for Japan. An eSIM will ensure instant and reliable connectivity, from the moment you arrive until you leave, so you can contact your loved ones at all times.  

Leave clear instructions 

Family life can be pretty hectic on a regular basis, and work trips have a way of turning the chaos up a few notches, but you can establish a bit of order if you prepare in advance. It’s a good idea to establish a plan for your family for when you’re away, so you can avoid the urge to micromanage from a distance and rest assured that they can handle things without you being physically present. 

You can make meal plans, go over your kids’ schedules and set reminders for specific activities, let your partner or caregiver know about any doctor appointments they might have or celebrations they’ll be attending, talk to other parents about upcoming playdates, and so on. Little things like these can give you peace of mind and keep everything running smoothly in your absence. 

Take a break without feeling guilty 

It’s quite common to describe moms, especially ones who also work and travel, as superheroes who can do it all, and while this is meant as a compliment, it also puts so much unnecessary pressure and creates unrealistic expectations that no mother, or any person for that matter, could live up to.

The point is you shouldn’t let these absurd ideas about what mothers should and shouldn’t do get to you and decide for yourself when you’ve reached your limit. Remind yourself that you’re a human being with limited time and energy, so you shouldn’t feel guilty about needing a break. Self-care is not selfish. On the contrary, you need to take care of yourself if you want to be able to take care of your family and stay productive at work. So, take that day off, book that spa treatment, take time for yourself, and do it guilt-free. 

Ask for help 

Just like you shouldn’t feel guilty about taking breaks and resting, you also shouldn’t feel ashamed to ask for help. Mothers are so used to being strong and handling things on their own that they sometimes forget help is available. 

They say it takes a village to raise a child, so it’s no wonder you sometimes feel like you and your partner can’t do everything by yourselves. That’s why getting help is so important, whether it comes from your parents or in-laws, close friends, neighbours, or babysitters. 

Life as a working and travelling mom can be challenging indeed, and there may be times when you struggle a lot. But you can make things work as long as you and your partner are on the same page and you create a system that functions for your family.

Guest Article.