Honestly. The things with which people take issue.
A few days ago, after a return from business travel (actually, the end of a seemingly endless series of business trips), I was approached by someone whom I know, albeit casually.
“Wow! You travel a LOT,” she said. “Who takes care of your kids?”
Kind of a strange question, right?
I think so, too. Here’s the thing, though. I get asked questions like this ALL THE TIME.
Not, “Do you have clients in _______?” or “What sort of business do you do?” but “Who takes care of your children?”
Really?
Now, I associate with lots of men who travel for their jobs. I’d be willing to bet that not once — not ONCE — has any of them ever been asked this question. “Gee, that must be tiring, huh?” or “That’s such an interesting city; did you eat at any good restaurants?” maybe. But never are their duties or responsibilities as parents called into question.
Do I travel a lot for my business? Yes, I do. I have clients scattered all over the country, and I think it’s extremely important to have face-to-face time with them. I attend business conferences, sometimes to speak, always to learn from others and to interact in person (there are connections there that you simply cannot make through means like Twitter or Facebook or comments in a blog).
Yes. I travel. I made a commitment when I started my business not to do anything halfway. To do things as well as they can be done, or not do them at all. If that means a few days away from my family here and there, I’m OK with that.
Do I miss my kids when I travel? ABSOLUTELY. They’re great kids and I love them dearly. When I’m home with them, I never skip an opportunity to tell them so. So, do I think — even for one second — that when I go away for 2 or 3 days, they’ll suddenly be floundering in a sea of confusion? Do I believe that they’ll nervously wonder if I still love them?
Not even for ONE SECOND.
So, I take serious issue with people who ask me — and any other hard-working businesswomen, for that matter — questions borne of an era whose day has long-since passed. I also take issue with the notion that men — fathers — aren’t at all bothered by traveling away from their families. I take issue with the fact that any distinctions are made at all.
I take my work very seriously. That means making sacrifices. Everyone who works hard for a living makes one kind or another. The fact that I do, however, in no way diminishes my commitment to my family.
Has this happened to you? Ladies? Guys? What are YOUR thoughts on the subject? Have you ever been called for traveling?
GAME ON.
