Work Trips, Mom Guilt, and the Art of Letting Go

Finding Balance in the Chaos: Work Trips, Sarcastic Diners, and Being a Mom

I just got back from a weeklong work trip to Chicago. If you’ve been following along, you know I still get severely stressed before these trips—my brain goes into overdrive thinking about everything at home. But I have a confession: I’m actually starting to like them.

I hope that doesn't make me a bad mom.

The truth is, work trips are currently the only time my "mom brain" can turn off the constant background noise of household logistics and just focus. I get to dedicate my energy to work and building stronger in-person relationships with my team. But more than that? I get a few rare moments completely to myself.

I can explore a new city on my own terms—no kid-friendly activities, no pacing around nap schedules, just doing what I want to do. Between meetings, I can move fast and pack a dozen sights into a tiny window. It’s hectic, it’s hard work, but honestly? It’s really nice.

Sprinting Through Chicago

My trip was a whirlwind from the moment my flight landed:

• Day 1: I had exactly three hours between getting to the hotel and my first meeting. Naturally, I spent it doing a 3-mile loop: grabbed lunch, visited The Bean (The Cloud), stopped by Buckingham Fountain, and walked down to the boat dock.

• The Team Outing: After sprinting back to the hotel to change, I took our team to an escape room followed by dinner and welcome drinks. I’d never done an escape room before, and it was a blast. (I don't really drink, but the reception was such a great way to put real-life faces to the Zoom boxes I look at all week!)

• Days 2 & 3: Packed tight with company events, but I squeaked out a win on my last day after a final 2-hour morning meeting.

• The Final Dash: I hit the Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Navy Pier.

• Dinner with a Side of Attitude: I stopped for dinner at Ed Debevic’s—a retro diner where the servers are intentionally sarcastic and roast you while you eat. I had no idea that was their gimmick when I walked in, but once I realized what was happening, I gave the sarcasm right back. It was hilarious.
  

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

Back on the Home Front

While I was having a whirlwind adventure in the Windy City, my husband was holding down the fort—and struggling.

Mornings were manageable before school, but bedtimes were an absolute trial. On the one night where my schedule was so loud and jammed that I couldn't even squeeze in a 2-minute "goodnight" phone call, total bedtime chaos erupted. The boys refused to sleep, and there were hours of tears.

But my 5-year-old was an absolute hero. He tried so hard to comfort his little brother—he even went into his backpack, pulled out photos of me, and brought them to his brother so he could sleep holding them. Hearing about that later broke my heart. I felt so guilty for not calling, but where the team had us was so loud and crowded that a phone call just wasn't possible.

"How Do You Do This Every Day?"

When I finally walked through the front door, exhausted but happy to see everyone, my husband looked at me and asked, "How do you do this every day?"

My answer was simple: Because I have to.

Parenting is hard. Kids can be trying, difficult, and their emotions rarely make sense in the moment. But showing up for them through the chaos is just part of being a parent.

Taking a few days for myself didn't make me a bad mom—if anything, it gave me the space to breathe so I could come back and be the mom they need. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad to be back to give my big 5-year-old a massive hug.