If you are reading this you have probably figured out that I am a Dad.  I’m guessing from the title of this blog and probably this post…  But is that all I do?

Nope.  I’m not a stay-at-home-dad (SAHD).  I unwillingly go to work Monday through Friday. (Unwillingly = Needs The Money).  So what do I do at work?  I’m an engineer.  Woo Hoo! (Woo Hoo! = Boring To Most People)

I travel around to different factories and fix their machinery.  I do most of my work in Ohio (that’s where I live) and surrounding states.  Sometimes however I do have to fly to other parts of this beautiful country (that I never get to enjoy because I’m too busy hauling balls to/from the airport).

I went down to Tomball, Texas on Tuesday.  Unfortunately I had to spend the night down there and fly home this afternoon.

While the one day trips are not that bad (not that bad = I would rather be at home), I do miss Momma and my little man.  With one or two day trips I am able to keep myself pretty busy to keep my mind off of missing the family. If it goes over two days I really start to get home sick.

Here are some tips to help ease your mind while traveling for work and having to leave your kids and family at home:

1. Take pictures with you.  I have a picture on my laptop’s desktop.  I have pictures on my phone.  There are pictures on this site.  I have pictures everywhere.  I see pictures of Ace and Momma and remember that I am traveling for them.  It gives the time away from home a bit more justification.
2. Talk on the phone.  While you don’t get to see your loved ones, you do get to hear their voice.  Ace can not talk yet, but I always hear him in the background playing and making noise.  Sometimes Momma hands Ace the phone so that he can hear my voice, but most of the time he is more interested in chewing on the phone than listening to it. 🙂
3. Keep Busy. This is probably the technique that I rely on the most.  As long as I keep busy I do not just sit there and swim in my own pool of misery.  Mind over matter.

Being the geek/dork that I am, I have considered getting a web cam for home and one for my laptop.  That way I and the family would be able to see each other.  I have not tried this yet, but I think it is a good idea that might get implemented in the near future.

I found a good post titled, How to Cope With Travel Away From Your Kids Under Age 5.  This post will help me in the future, for sure.  It is geared towards the Dad with kids that can talk on the phone and get more involved in what you are doing on your trip.  Check it out…

Until next time…I hope your travels are safe and short so that you can get back home to see your loved ones!