Boy did a lot of things happen since my last post? After the last vacation I returned fully charged to work. For a while it was the usual, but then I had various requests from different customers (keep in mind I am an independent consultant). Due to various reasons I had to accept all. All of the jobs turned out to be longer than expected. The end result was that I was away from home for little more than two weeks, 3 days back home and then away again for another two weeks.
The effect on my family was more than I am willing to sacrifice. I have small children (3 yrs. and 6 yrs.) and I try to have a very good relationship with them. The first two weeks was tough, but the second trip was devastating. When I went into the airport for the second trip it was already heartbreaking, to say the least about the rest of the time I was away. My very good relationship with my wife also had a huge dent. It felt as if we were completely losing touch with each other and we share everything.
When everything was eventually over, I thought I'll never leave home again, not one day! After working for quite a long time from home again, I had another request. This time for only one night away from home. Everything on this trip was okay, but the night away from home brought back all those terrible memories of the time I was away from home. It almost felt like I was still in that period of 4 weeks.
To make matters worse, while I was away, I had a call for a request for another week away about a week later. This time round I was confronted with major opposing emotions. On the one side was me as father and husband that did not want to be away from home ever again. On the other side was me as a business man. The money is very good for traveling in Africa (compared to South Africa) and this specific customer was quite new and presented huge opportunities for me. I cannot even begin to describe the thoughts and emotions I had to go through.
The end result was that I did go, made some good money and the trip was a resounding success. The family was okay, since I was away for only three nights. I decided that for now I'll accept one week trips only (preferable no more than 4 / 5 nights).
Now during all my travels, I realized that I am quite fortunate to have all these opportunities and I am still very thankful for them. It is however, as always not an easy task to keep a healthy balance between work and personal life.
What are your comments? And your experiences with traveling away from home, especially with small children?
