Mommy Business Trips

Guest post by In the Trenches of Mommyhood.

Recently my Hubby went on a (fingerquote) business trip. I say that mockingly, because for his occupation, a (fingerquote) business trip entails schmoozing, schmoozing and yet more schmoozing in the form of a round of golf, watching a baseball game from luxury box seats…meals at 4-star restaurants…plus round trip airfare and hotel accommodations. Alone. In a king-sized bed. For 2 nights. But not just any hotel, oh no, the RitzfreakinCarlton.

And this is so-called work? Yet when I try to make him feel guilty call him on it, he is adamant that it is, indeed, WORK. After all, he’s not hanging out with friends of his choice, mind you (mind me?), he’s traveling with his boss and golfing meeting with people that they do business with on a regular basis. Plus, it’s not like he using up his vacation days when he travels. Because it’s for WORK. Right, right. I’m still bitter not convinced.

So why are there no business trips for mommies? Why can’t a big, popular name brand sponsor an event for a group of moms whereby round trip airfare and overnight accommodations are provided (hey, it doesn’t even have to be the RitzfreakinCarlton. I’d be happy with a Holiday Inn Express…don’t they make you smarter or something?) Why can’t we be the ones who shuffle out the door on a random Tuesday with our carry-on luggage and kiss the kiddies goodbye and say, “See you Thursday night. I’m going on a business trip.”

Hell, for me, the trip to the airport, ALONE, would make me happy. As would a random plane ride ALONE. Staying in a hotel ALONE would just be icing on the cake. As for activities, well, instead of golf, what about shopping? A round of golf takes approximately 5 hours (trust me, this I know.) Shopping for 5 hours? That, I could handle. Along with dining in a 4-star restaurant that certainly doesn’t serve chicken nuggets/tenders/strips.

So, Proctor&Gamble, Johnson&Johnson, Tampax? You listening?

Guest post by In the Trenches of Mommyhood.


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19 responses to “Mommy Business Trips”

  1. BirdieRoark Avatar

    I really never liked travelling on business – until I had a kids that is. It is forced alone time. I sleep well, eat well, and get to watch whatever I want on TV. I don’t travel much (once a quarter, max) but I revel in the travel time. I’ve been known to tack on an extra day so that I can go site-seeing and shopping.

  2. Apples on a Stick Avatar

    I’ve taken trips the last 2 weekends WITHOUT my children. I have enjoyed each and every airline flight. I enjoyed not having to entertain anyone but myself ( I managed to finish a book), It would be even better if a company footed the bill rather than myself though!

    It seems that every time my husband has a business trip money is tight so when he calls to tell me about the great steak dinner he had I am telling him about the tuna sandwiches we’ve been eating. Oh the injustice!

  3. Lora Avatar

    “Why can’t we be the ones who shuffle out the door on a random Tuesday with our carry-on luggage and kiss the kiddies goodbye and say, “See you Thursday night. I’m going on a business trip.””

    Over the summer, I am working one 5 hour shift a week. A week! Today the dh is stressing because he has to take the girl child to occupational therapy from 5-6 and the boy child to baseball practice from 6-7. “I can’t be in 2 places at once” he whines. Mind you, I have been doing such schedule magic weekly for the past 4 yrs, now he’s got to do it once.

    Ok, sorry for the rant…but ahhh, I feel better. Maybe I need to guest blog too! :-)

  4. Jennifer Avatar

    Amen Sarah! Amen!

    These “business trips” piss me right off!

    Where is my business trip, damnit!

  5. Annie Avatar

    I could use a business trip right about now!

  6. karrie Avatar

    When my son was an infant, and I was a sleep-deprived zombie, my husband’s office had a Nap Room. You know, so after talking about code, playing a few rounds of Nerf football or Space Invaders, you could drift off for awhile and return to work with all of your creative juices fully restored.

    (They do work long hours at times, but dangling a nap room in the face of a new mom was just torture!)

  7. Christina Avatar

    My husband is always travelling to Toronto on business from Montreal. the night before. By train. Because it’s first class. (gourmet meals, free drinks)And an extra night. hahah. As opposed to by plane. Which is NOT first class. And he must leave at 5 am in the morning. I alway say that too. That he is out relaxing and having nicemeals, a good rest, soicalizing…and he always answers that he is there to work LOL Just like yours!.

    But for the trips that count. The conference’s baby. I go along. Last summer it was Tampa, and we stayed at the Marriott – GORGEOUS! and payed by his company. This Fall – it’s vegas – and we’re staying at the Mandalay Bay resort.

    Join him if you can! On the good trips!

  8. pinks & blues girls Avatar

    Sorry, it cannot possibly be called work if you’re staying at the Ritz Carlton.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls

  9. andi Avatar

    Fabulous post. Loved the capitalization of ALONE. What I wouldn’t give to even go pee ALONE at this moment…

  10. Sonia Avatar

    I vote for Tampax to sponsor our “business” trip. I’m into them for thousands and now I have two daughters.

    *sigh*

    They OWE me a fake “business” trip.

  11. E9phgw139eqK4UbHsPVJ0a9nakSumNc_b_njqQiugRU. Avatar

    I couldn’t have said it better! Last month Hubby called from Palo Alto (where he was staying at the Four Seasons during a business trip) to complain about the “weird” hotel food. I looked at the phone, looked down at my frozen Boca Burger and told him I had work to do.

  12. Kelly Avatar

    Amen sister! I tried to pass off BlogHer ’07 as my “business trip” to my husband and equate it to his “training” trips to Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, etc. But no! He didn’t buy it for I had no one to charge it to but myself. Stupid CPA license…it just makes him to darn practical!lol

  13. Heather Avatar

    Oh, I totally feel your “business” fun envy. What, after Wally’s company drunkfest and the failed nut knocker revenge. I’m still a shade of green honestly.

    Where’s my moment of carefree fun!

  14. Surviving Avatar

    I agree, moms need a “business” trip too!!!

  15. Misslionheart Avatar

    Methinks you are just ‘plugging’ Tampax.

    Get it?

  16. Suburban Oblivion Avatar

    Trip? I am SO there!! When do we leave?? ;)

  17. Cate Avatar

    Hmmm….mommy business trip. Me likes. Me likes a lot! I’m there!

  18. A Geeky Mom Avatar
    A Geeky Mom

    Once, when my kids were young, I took a mommy (sanity) business trip. I booked a room at the local RitzfreakinCarlton, (next to an upscale mall) for two nights of solitary bliss. Unfortunately, I was too self-conscious to eat alone in the dining room, so I nibbled through the ridiculously expensive mini-bar in my room on the first night. As much as I thought I would enjoy it, I was lonely! For the second night, I got my mom to take the kids, switched to a posh hotel closer to home and invited my hubby to join me… much better!

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