How to juggle parenthood with a busy travel career

What are your top tips for getting through an overseas trip?

Vicky: Two things for me – I plan quality time in with Ellie before I go on the trip and as soon as I get back and I manage by asking my husband and grandparents to keep me updated with daily pictures and updates. I check in with them around three times a day (excessive I know), but I need to know she is ok. I know a few parents who like to Facetime which I think helps and use a countdown chart!

Anna: I throw myself into the trip as much as I can! I try to avoid Facetime as I find that the mum guilt kicks in too much. I check in every few hours to make sure all is ok and like a few pictures to know what he’s up to. I make sure I don’t plan too much for when I’m back so we can have quality time together.

What’s your best advice for parents who need more flexibility at work? 

Vicky: There is so much we could say here, but being honest about your situation is key, also do your prep work so you can present a solution as to how you will get the work done. If needs be, ask for a trial period.

Anna: It’s always best to be as open and honest with your manager as possible. In my eyes, if you want anything done then ask a working parent! I’m very lucky being able to work the hours I want to but that way I also put more pressure on myself to perform. Just being honest with your line manager is a great opening to have in those conversations.

How do you achieve work-family life balance? 

Vicky: It’s a simple thing to say but be organised. I am really structured with my time and plan ahead with my week so that my weekends are free for family time.

Neal: To begin with, every household needs a good organiser! This is not me; this is my wife, so I take no credit for our regimented regime. But you also need an understanding workplace. I really don’t know how my work and life would balance if we were pre-Covid! Post-Covid it appears more workplaces have seen the benefits of relaxing the working environment. My workplace, Not Just Travel, are incredibly understanding where the “working from home” concept is a big part of the successful business model. I have had a few roles over the last 10 years within travel sector (such as regional manager) where being on the road all the time, conferences, meetings and other travel industry events really “throw a spanner in the works” when it comes to managing in home planning. I am currently organising who is doing school pick-ups as far as January! Because I love the travel sector and what I do, you just try to make it work. 

Jemma: However much I try to go digital I still have a paper diary/planner that includes the whole of my life. I try to be extremely organised every Sunday... I dedicate a minimum of an hour to plan... this includes preparing the weeks outfits (school and clubs), family lunches and dinners, and overall diaries for clubs, childcare cover and anything else that possibly has been dropped in last minute. I am extremely lucky to have a flexible husband whose help is invaluable and I couldn’t do it without him. I’m also learning that if you haven’t managed to do everything on that to-do list or your child has gone to a birthday party without a card it is going to be okay. It’s something from my ’parenting anxiety’ I’ve had to learn to deal with – you can be organised but it’s also fine if something falls off the list.   

Anna: I don’t! I don’t think there is such thing as a balance really – sometimes one comes before the other. It’s never 50/50 but learning to prioritise when it matters is important.

How do you make time for yourselves too?

Vicky: I actually really struggle with this and need to work on it! it really depends on your support network, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s crazy typing out this out but I actually feel guilty for taking time for me as I feel I should be with Ellie, especially as I travel for work.

Neal: Alongside the chaos I try and keep active with my own hobbies so once or twice a week I am refereeing football games at a semi-professional level. When refereeing midweek games this means relying on other family members to do the pick-ups and I’m not back in time for bed, but I think hobbies are important to keep your mind focused on the things you enjoy doing.

Jemma: It’s difficult I think for any parent to prioritise yourself, personally for me it is a commitment to a time in a day or sometimes it’s stretched to an hour a week...

Anna: Making time for yourself can be so difficult but it’s really important. For the first year of Chester’s life I thought I had massively lost myself and I’m trying to get this back now. I try to go for a run or pop off to the shops alone when I can to get some head space, and plan days out with the girls to look forward to.

Is there anything that’s non-negotiable when it comes to family time? 

Neal: We try and do ’something fun’ once a week and when we are on holiday, we close off from work. 

Jemma: Being away on my children’s birthdays is something I wouldn’t ever sacrifice, plus any family traditions, for example we always go to see Santa with some close friends and I wouldn’t miss that for the world. 

Anna: Spending time with my son is a no-phone zone! When Chester was a few months old he picked up my phone and started swiping – he had obviously watched me do it a lot so now I try to put my phone down and concentrate on him. 

Have you thought about how to support your children as their emotional needs develop?

Vicky: Ellie is still really young, but I have thought about this already! I think always be truthful to your child and explain what you are doing and why you are doing it (involve them where you can) and keep asking how your child is feeling. Again, communication is key.

Jemma: A big learning curve for me, more so as the children are getting older, is Facetime and devices are great for staying in touch, however depending on the circumstances it might make it slightly worse. I worked (particularly with my daughter) on going back to writing letters or in a diary. Then when I come home, we sit down and together we go through what she’s documented for me (what I’ve missed), and we are able to share dedicated time for me to listen to her and share the “catch up”. She loves taking a “senior role” of being able to update me too.