Travel for work with 18-month-old at home

2w ago·1 min read

Got asked to go to Vegas for a 3-day conference next month. It's actually a good opportunity career-wise but my son is still super attached to me (and takes terrible bottles from my wife). I haven't traveled since he was born. My instinct is to say no but my boss seemed to hint this would be good for "my visibility" for the promotion cycle. Is this the thing I should push back on or am I being overprotective?

5 comments152 views

Comments(5)

HHank C.Regular2w ago

I did a similar thing at 18 months. Son refused bottles from mom, cried the whole time. Turns out once he actually got hungry, he took it. It was rough to hear about but he was fine. Career move might be worth the rough few days if it's genuinely good for your trajectory.

TTim B.Regular2w ago

The bottle refusal thing gets better pretty quick. By 2 years most kids figure out 'ok dad's gone, mom's my only option' and adapt. Three days sucks but it's temporary. Your wife can handle it.

GGreg M.Regular1w ago

real talk: go to the conference. it sucks your son will miss you, but he won't remember this specific 3 days. He WILL benefit from a dad who feels good about his career and isn't resenting the sacrifice. Do the conference, come home, be extra present for a week after.

RReggie K.New Dad1w ago

depends on the career opportunity tbh. if it's one conference vs your relationship with your kid, that's different than if this is a make-or-break moment for promotion. What would skipping it cost you long-term?

CChris R.Regular1w ago

Three days isn't terrible if the bottle thing can get sorted. Have you tried different bottle nipples? Some kids are picky about the flow rate. Also—and I say this gently—sometimes they'll take a bottle from someone else if they're desperate enough. Your wife might surprise you.