Will I regret missing my child's first day of kindergarten for a work trip? wwyd?

[Anonymous]

Go on your trip and don't feel guilty. It is the same campus so not such a big deal, but if you must buy a little something special, i.e. backpack or whatever, wrap it up really pretty and have Dad give it to her at breakfast and FaceTime her while she opens it … memory problem for her solved

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's kindergarten - whatever. You don't need to be there - make someone else take a first day pic.

Meh, it's just my kid. Who cares?!

+1 Exactly!! Career first! It's just another day for your kid...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go on your trip and don't feel guilty. It is the same campus so not such a big deal, but if you must buy a little something special, i.e. backpack or whatever, wrap it up really pretty and have Dad give it to her at breakfast and FaceTime her while she opens it … memory problem for her solved

An opportunity to network shouldn't be missed, even if you're able to get back in time after the main focus of your business trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Reschedule the trip. You may not care, but your kid probably will. Trust me.

Your kid might care, mine wouldn't. He is extremely independent, and even starting K was not a bit clingy.

That said, for most kids I think it would be good to have a parent go, because everyone else will have a parent. I don't think it needs to be a specific parent (e.g., the mom). And I would not have felt terrible if my DH was the parent available that day.

Do make sure you can make it to high school graduation!

[Anonymous]

Not necessary to career shame someone, this "business trip" does not dictate what type of mom OP is … the fact that she is questioning this and struggling with this decision says it all. Use your better judgement OP, I am sure your little one can Face Time with you on this one occasion to share everything … sometimes, we just can't be in more than one place

[Anonymous]

I'd probably skip the extra networking evening and come home the night before. You can quickly grab folks aside who you really want to speak to between breaks.

That said, has your child been in preschool for a couple years? Is KG at the same school as preschool? In that scenario, I think it's that big a deal. My daughter is at a Montessori school and her kindergarden year will be in the same classroom, same teacher, as her last two years of preschool, so if I missed first day of school in the fall, I don't think either of us would feel like it's a big deal.

[Anonymous]

^^I think it's *not* a big deal^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not necessary to career shame someone, this "business trip" does not dictate what type of mom OP is … the fact that she is questioning this and struggling with this decision says it all. Use your better judgement OP, I am sure your little one can Face Time with you on this one occasion to share everything … sometimes, we just can't be in more than one place

It's not career shaming to think that returning from a trip (whenever possible) for important childhood events and family occasions is very important. Too many kids today are shown in little ways that parents' careers and social engagements come first. Very sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go on your trip and don't feel guilty. It is the same campus so not such a big deal, but if you must buy a little something special, i.e. backpack or whatever, wrap it up really pretty and have Dad give it to her at breakfast and FaceTime her while she opens it … memory problem for her solved

A present instead of the parent's presence? Really?

[Anonymous]

I got my recent job, which is a dream come true for me, solely because I went to one of these networking events at a conference that I debated not attending. A job that improves my quality of life and allows me to be home much more. Don't undersell the importance of these events. Depending on the field, these things can be essential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd probably skip the extra networking evening and come home the night before. You can quickly grab folks aside who you really want to speak to between breaks.

That said, has your child been in preschool for a couple years? Is KG at the same school as preschool? In that scenario, I think it's that big a deal. My daughter is at a Montessori school and her kindergarden year will be in the same classroom, same teacher, as her last two years of preschool, so if I missed first day of school in the fall, I don't think either of us would feel like it's a big deal.

This is the best solution, for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the day before K is the last day of a multi-day conference, odds are it will be a dud. In my experience people usually skip the last few sessions so that they can get home. If you'd end up having to stay overnight when the conference is over, I'd instead do what you could to get home.

Agreed. I just got back from one last week. By the last day more than 1/2 the people had already left.

Go be with your son. Unless this has the potential to skyrocket your career immediately and give your family a huge financial boost it isn't worth it.
No one regrets missing a meeting on their death bed (hopefully at 120 which is the oldest you can live to according to DS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got my recent job, which is a dream come true for me, solely because I went to one of these networking events at a conference that I debated not attending. A job that improves my quality of life and allows me to be home much more. Don't undersell the importance of these events. Depending on the field, these things can be essential.

A networking event can be important, so choose one that doesn't conflict with an important event for your child.

[Anonymous]

Put in some hardcore networking time at the beginning of the conference. People always leave early - an extra few hours to talk to people you could have met the day before isn't worth the trade-off.

[Anonymous]

It's the same school people! There will be, hopefully, many, many more special days and this is not for this family at the top. Being financially secure to take care of your child does trump this particular occasion and as a working mother, networking does make a difference, believe me, it is necessary. Go, your daughter will be happy with Dad or maybe a special visit from Grandparents … go.