I hate work travel but I make too much money to quit

[Anonymous]

My advice is to do some self reflection and realize how good you have it. Seriously.

Can you condense two trips into one?

[Anonymous]

You’re paid $600k. Jeez! Suck it up or quit. No one makes that kind of money without making a sacrifice.

[Anonymous]

We make $300K and can pay college out of pocket.

2-3 days is not even that much, nurses are away more.

I think you’re just having a pity party.

Do you get SAD this time of year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. Yes, I’m the wife. I earn more than my husband, but he does well too. I get to work from home the 25 days I’m not traveling. My kids miss me, but they are busy and happy when I’m not there.

There’s no way I could walk away from this job until college is funded. There’s no job that would even pay me half as much for this type of flexibility and I actually enjoy most of the work. This job is end game for me; my plan is to milk it for as long as I can and then semi-retire and just do fun stuff like freelance writing.

But man - I don’t want to have regrets as a parent. Being financially responsible sucks and I love the romantic idea of quitting, but it just won’t work. I love my kids so so much and it just feels wrong to be away from them. I appreciate the PP who suggested having family events to celebrate when I get back home from a trip. Any and all ideas here are welcome.

Stop acting like a spoiled brat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My advice is to do some self reflection and realize how good you have it. Seriously.

Can you condense two trips into one?

Yea, you have be living in lala land to pity yourself for landing this job.
Must be a troll or otherwise very dense.

[Anonymous]

I’d really love to know what job this is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My advice is to do some self reflection and realize how good you have it. Seriously.

Can you condense two trips into one?

Yes to the bolded. You don't need a different job. You need therapy and a good financial advisor.

[Anonymous]

For me it helps to have a hobby/project you can bring with you so you can have some personal time while you're on the road. Maybe there's something one or both of your kids would do too? That might help you feel connected from afar.

Running. Weight lifting. Reading. Crochet. Something.

[Anonymous]

Check out Laura Vanderkan’s books. She talks about the 168 hours we have in a week, and not to count a day as time when seeing kids. And how to value quality over quantity. She has one book devoted to working parents and a great podcast.

[Anonymous]

Do a daily zoom with them while you're travelling. Maybe you guys could eat dinner or watch a show together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d really love to know what job this is

I'm guessing its some kind of sales, probably tech sales -- they have a lot of lead up and then close the deal in person.

[Anonymous]

6 days a month is nothing!!!

Hat do you do to make 600k?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are middle school aged. It’s gotten harder to be away as they’ve gotten older and I realize how fast they’re growing up.

Middle school? They are going to notice you are even gone. Don’t they have homework and activities most nights? As long as you are home on weekends that’s solid.

Are you the DW? Men who travel like this don’t give it a second thought.

I would bring back something from the places you visit, even a fridge magnet or postcard and send a selfie from some view while there. These will bring the kids to where you are which is fun too.

How much does your DH make? Are you all making $1.5M HHI and feeling this way?

I don’t know what planet you live on, but there are plenty of fathers who would feel terrible about traveling that much. Stop being so sexist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are middle school aged. It’s gotten harder to be away as they’ve gotten older and I realize how fast they’re growing up.

Middle school? They are going to notice you are even gone. Don’t they have homework and activities most nights? As long as you are home on weekends that’s solid.

Are you the DW? Men who travel like this don’t give it a second thought.

I would bring back something from the places you visit, even a fridge magnet or postcard and send a selfie from some view while there. These will bring the kids to where you are which is fun too.

How much does your DH make? Are you all making $1.5M HHI and feeling this way?

I don’t know what planet you live on, but there are plenty of fathers who would feel terrible about traveling that much. Stop being so sexist.

But it’s not a lot of travel. Two to three weekday overnights a month? That’s a blip.

[Anonymous]

OP here. You all are right. I’m having a pity party being stuck in an airport in zero degree weather after a 20 hour day. I’m incredibly grateful for everything I have and I am incredibly blessed. I’ll go back to focusing on the positive soon. Thanks for reminding me how lucky I am.