Shea was six months when I re-entered the office. I dreaded my return more than labor and delivery! My mother, mother-in-law, and father-in-law softened the blow, taking turns flying in and babysitting for the first month. It was inevitable though: We had to work out a longer term solution. Gulp! I reminded myself why I was doing this.

Living in Manhattan requires two incomes to afford the basics; for most—and after so much leave, we were starting to feel the pinch. To make matters worse, I happened to have selected a career that required plenty of travel. Prior to maternity leave, I was on the road at least three weeks out of every month—visiting clients in LA, Delaware, New Hampshire, Kentucky, and Kansas. At my request, my road load simmered down with motherhood but I still had to get out for a few days every couple of weeks. I feared I’d become “that mom”… who forgets about her angel and goes right back to the way things were. Would I indulge so much in my exciting work life that I would misjudge how much my little one needed me?

One of my mentors made a crazy suggestion: “Take her with you”, she said. She told me about how she divorced when her daughter was young. Unable to leave her to the care of others, she brought her little girl on the road with her! So, I did! A lot. My firm offers a backup childcare program providing a daycare or at-home care option in every state. In most cases, I organized a licensed, bonded, nanny through the program to babysit at the hotel. If close enough to my client, I could even zip home for the lunch time feed and get back to work without anyone noticing. Where possible, my mother or husband would join us.

My team got used to Shea coming along. To tell you the truth, they hardly saw her. While some of my critics warned that Shea was breathing in germs  traveling by train or plane, I reminded them about the germy city we lived in—where each subway ride invited new exposures. They touted that my baby needed schedule and consistency. I differed that my baby needed and deserved her mommy—and deserved to grow from the adventure spirit that both my husband and I possess.  

My hubby was trepidatious at first, but soon applauded the creativity of the idea and loved how determined I was to have my cake and eat it too. I won’t lie. It wasn’t always easy. There was extra packing, organization, nervousness to leave her with new people, etc.  It sure beat leaving her, though. Who knows if it was the right decision? All I know is that three years later, I like the result. Shea will speak to anyone and go anywhere. She sleeps anywhere well. Most importantly, I have never felt detached from her. Here is my baby road warrior in Colorado.