“Boarding is now open for families traveling with small
children.”
Normally this would be go-time. The shot gun at the start of
an exhausting and anxiety-ridden marathon.
But I let the message wash over me with a “see later suckers” smile on
my face as I sit in the departure lounge reading an embarrassingly stupid escapist
novel hidden by my kindle cover. The
other travelers shift impatiently and uncomfortably in their seats. I exhale, relishing in the prospect of
child-free travel.
This was my first work trip on my new job. 2 weeks in and I
was jetting off to Bangkok for a conference. There were a lot of mixed emotions here –
excitement about the new job and opportunities for engaging in topics I feel
passionate about. The thrill of a free “work-cation”
in an exotic location. But also the
worry about leaving my children (one still nursing) wondering night after night
where their mother went.
But there were no mixed emotions about the flight. The
flight was a veritable mom spa day.
Instead of being woken from a half-sleep haze to comfort a
travel weary toddler, making a game of running down the narrow aisles and
dodging irritated looks from newly woken passengers, I can read a book. And stop when I’m tired. I can watch a movie. The whole way
through. Someone brings me food and no
one throws it in my hair. I can cocoon myself in blankets and wine and wake to
people pouring me coffee and politely calling me “maam,” instead of screaching “MOM!!”
and pouring multi-colored liquids on my lap.
All of which makes me realize that solo flying is.. um… amazing. I mean, what do lone business
travelers really have to complain about?
Too much sitting? That’s like a
problem royalty complain of.
Just being on my own, making my own decision on no one’s schedule
but my own feels like a sweet and guilty pleasure. I can barely wipe the smile off of my face.
But then, as I slurp down the final sips of my coffee before
our descent into the sun-drenched Asian capital, my breast start to swell with
milk intended for a baby now thousands of miles away. My body is reminding me of my duty, my primal
biological imperative that no modern, flying, time-traveling bird can erase. And
I feel every single mile of the half a planet that now separates us.
Still, I know my boys are well cared for. Their father and
second mother of nanny are showering them with love and keeping them safe. The older boy will remain focused on the
promise of a present upon my return. The
younger will likely forget the days apart after a few moments reunion.
“They’ll be fine!” everyone tells me. And so I tell myself
the same. And I’ll keep telling myself it all the way through the trip until I
can return to my “mama spa day” flight home, with all the comfort and me-time
made that much sweeter by the promise of wrapping my arms around my little
solitude busters.
I've done one longer trip without the boys, and the first leg was awful with a man insisting on reclining the seat into my knees, the second not much better as the flight attendent was called to check up on why I was taking so long in the bathroom (expressing milk). The "spa" came later - an evening having conversation with adults and not having to hurry home on the toddler's schedule. Glad you enjoyed your flight, maybe I'll have a similar experience someday.
ReplyDeleteOK. I have a confession. I was.... (don't hate me please)... flying business class. And that, as they say, has made all of the difference. But honestly, uninterrupted me-time in any size seat would have been almost as much of a delight. And I didn't bother pumping on the plane so that definitely made it easier. I do get the flying is uncomfortable and I have been trapped next to miserable passengers. But freedom from children made everything so tolerable and most things just plain enjoyable! Sorry your flight wasn't that great. Hope the next one is!
DeleteOh, love this! You perfectly capture the heaven that is traveling without your small children - yet that biological and emotional pull back to them at the same time. Hope you enjoyed your trip!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leanna. That's exactly what I was trying to express! (oh, I said "express" and now I'm thinking of milk. Talk about biological pull...)
DeleteI love this one, Kim! Glad that your trip went well and especially glad that you are safely reunited with your family!
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil! And me too. Soon to be reunited with you!
DeleteHaha! I had a chance to fly sans-child recently. Okay, she was in the row in front of me with her father, but it still seemed luxurious. Until the guy next to me decided to bug me the entire flight. Solo travel WASTED. I actually wished I was sitting next to my daughter! :)
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