I average about once a month with my job. This last trip was long, 6 days, and my daughter called me sobbing on the 5th day, really wanting me home. To be fair, most trips are only 2-3 days, again about once a month, sometimes once every 6 to 8 weeks.

Anyway, she is almost 9 and is usually fine with dh but had a hard time with this length of trip (so did I! I was ready to come home after a couple of days). Dh does a fabulous job while I am gone and doesn't seem to mind. While I actually generally enjoy the travel part, I felt crushing mommy-guilt this time. My kids are 6 and almost 9, so it isn't like I am leaving babies or toddlers. And my 6 year old is always absolutely fine, he is more of a go-with-the-flow type of guy.

I'm just wondering for other who travel, do you feel this impacts your family? In a negative or positive way?

Jamie

I travel every quarter usually only for 2 nights. But in Oct I was gone Mon-Sat. It was the first trip since my DD was in school and she stayed with DH while #2 went to inlaws (which is were they usually go when I travel). Both did well although DH had to work less and didn't bath #1 until the morning I was coming home.

Kids didn't seem to mind.

I used to travel quite a bit, every other week I used to have to travel from CA to DC for a few days. I now only travel about 4 times at year, usually a week at a time.

I did, but it was not on regular basis and not that often. But it was for 2-3 weeks at a time.

As far as impact on our family... I think the biggest recipient of this impact was myself :o and I am so relieved that I was transfered to the department were I don't have to do it anymore.