I am on my way to Houston,Texas for the College Reading and Learning Association 2012 conference.

It will be a busy few days for me with presentations to give and meetings to run.  Along with my colleagues, I have three sessions to present.  Each one is a little different: a panel discussion to moderate, a round table to host and a concurrent session to deliver.  Everything is well prepared.  I  remembered to copy my handouts before leaving home.  I am organized and things should run smoothly. I will have the chance to actually see people I work with remotely.  I will enjoy it. Did I mention I get to sleep in the middle of a king size bed all by myself?   I will really enjoy it.

My daughter, however, does not enjoy it. She starts getting weepy several weeks before my departure.  Last night, sobbing over her homework, it was very apparent to everyone in the house (except my girl) that her tears weren't about equations, they were about me leaving the next day.

Ella has always wanted to be with me. As an infant there was a phase where she wanted only me to hold her.   When she started preschool she cried herself to sleep, coat still on, in front of the door when I left.  In first grade, the principal would come to my car, physically remove her and take her into school.  Mandatory fifth grade overnight camp had her sick to her stomach for months.  Ella likes to be home,and to be home with her mom.

It seemed that perhaps she was growing out of this.  Spending time with friends has become increasingly important.  She has even asked to go to sleepovers!  I was hoping that this newfound independence was the trade off for the hand on hip sassiness that has appeared since she turned twelve.  Maybe it is, but only when she knows mom is holding down the fort AT HOME.  The idea of mom being gone is apparently enough to send her right back to crying on the floor, where I found her this morning.

I wonder how my daughter will resolve her increasing desire for independence with her need for mom.  I hope she can find a way to have both, peacefully.  Growing up isn't easy. Especially for a girl like Ella.

I wonder how I can help her.  Being a mom isn't easy either.

Tell me working moms, how do you handle your business travel?  If anyone has had success, PLEASE share with me how you helped your daughter transition gracefully into her teenage years.  Is it possible?