I just returned from my first 2 night solo trip and it got me thinking….Mommy’s definitely get the shaft…

As a disclaimer Justin did a great job with the kids while I was gone but I have to say…it’s definitely different from when he goes away.

Daddy’s Pre-Trip Preparation:
Pack Bag
Print Boarding Pass
Mommy checks to see that Daddy has cell phone, charger, etc…

Mommy’s Pre-Trip Preparation:
Grocery shop (can’t have an empty fridge for the kiddies and Daddy)
Clean
Do laundry (what will they wear when I’m gone?)
Arrange child care while away (yes, Daddy has part-time duty)
Check that there’s enough diapers, wipes, etc…
Water plants
Open mail and deal with mail, pay bills
Schedule activities for children
Pack Bag
Print Boarding Pass
Double check that she has essentials

Now, Mommy or Daddy is off for a few days.

They return…

Daddy’s return:
On time pick-up at the airport with full tank of gas.
Children happy
Dinner prepared
Quiet evening at home, ahh, “it’s nice to be home he says…”
Mommy unpacks and does his laundry

Mommy’s Return:
Late pick-up at the airport
Children cranky
Dinner out
Unpack
Put the children to bed
Open mail and pay bills
Do laundry
Fill up gas tank

Buy groceries
Catch up on work
Water Plants
Take children to activities and appointments

Ahh…equality and women’s lib…gotta love it!

Compliments of My Mommy Peeps in Canada, Urban Mommies: http://www.urbanmommies.com/the-baby/travel-with-baby-the-baby/what-to-wear-when-traveling-with-a-child/

In the midst of holiday travel planning and getting excited about our next adventure as a family.

I’m off to Vancouver next week on a solo mission to pass my Canadian Citizenship Test. My first 2 nights away from the family since we had Stella. Justin has some back-up day support but will be on his own at night…wish him luck!

We are currently looking for an intern to help with an upcoming product launch.

Below is the job description. If you or anyone you know is interested in this position please email: support@efficiententerprisesinc.com

Social Media and Online PR and Marketing Internship
Are you looking for an exciting Social Media and Online PR and Marketing internship working for an entrepreneur? Interested in working virtually, setting your own hours, and helping to promote a new product showing entrepreneurs how to build and run a successful internship program?
A well-established online entrepreneurial business seeks social media and online public relations/marketing interns to work remotely (or in our offices if you are in the Southern California area). This position is unpaid, but offers exceptional resume-building and networking opportunities. You will learn the in’s and out’s of the online industry and an entrepreneurial company (from the ground up).

This opportunity is open to those seeking hands on experience. If you need college credit for your internship we are willing to work with your school and academic advisor to assist you in obtaining credit.
Interns applying for this internship should be Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or Journalism, News Media and Communications majors with experience on the Web and a solid understanding of social media. We prefer current college students but would consider recent graduates.
Must be a dedicated, responsible, creative, articulate, personable and an organized self-starter. The applicant should possess excellent writing and communications skills, be detail oriented and be able to work on a variety of projects simultaneously.

Applicant must be Social Networking/Internet savvy. We will be using Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and all social networking to promote and conduct an on line marketing campaign for the product launch.

Responsibilities may include (but not limited to):
- Building, maintaining and promoting profiles for: Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and all other social networking sites as deemed appropriate
-Press release and article writing and online submission
-Blogging

Qualifications we are looking for:
- Proactive go-getter with an entrepreneurial spirit, high energy, fun, positive can-do attitude and work-ethic who is hands-on
- Excellent communication skills – verbal and written
- Reliable, detail-oriented and extremely motivated
- Candidate will work in a highly confidential environment and must maintain confidentiality at all times.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand how to do everything listed above: training will be provided.
If you are interested in an internship:
-With an entrepreneurial company
-With a company that has remote workers from India to Virginia, and from the Philippines to Louisiana to Canada
-With a company run by a husband & wife team who have taken 2 sabbaticals in the past 4 years
-Where you will learn the foundations of how to market an online business using social media

Then this is DEFINITELY for you!
If you are looking for:
-A paid position
-A stuffy office environment
-A “big” company
-Somebody watching over your shoulder every 5 minutes
Then this position is NOT for you, please do not apply.
Here are our expectations:
1. Honesty
2. Hard work – (doing your best)
3. Willingness to learn – (We will put a lot on you to learn)
4. An email sent to every day you work answering the following questions – (This is an ABSOLUTE MUST)
What you got done that day? What challenges or obstacles you encountered? What questions you have?
5. Communication. That is a big one. This includes the ability for me to call you if necessary, although 90% of our communication will be via email or IM.
Other requirements/important information:
- Minimum of two days a week
- Must commit through the completion of the product launch (Dec. 1, 2010)
- Knowledge/prior experience in marketing/PR a plus – but not required
- Position available immediately
- This is an unpaid internship for college credit if desired. We will work with your school/academic advisor to help you fulfill college credit if needed but please let us know PRIOR to the beginning of your internship so that we can coordinate appropriately with your school.
-Please send resume, cover letter, sample of your work and let us know if you will be applying for credit for your internship.

Stella turns 3 next week which will also mark the anniversary of the last time Justin and I had a night together alone outside of the night I labored to birth Sebby – does that count? I mean, Sebby was sort of there with us right?

I’m one of those mom’s who can’t leave their children for fear that something terrible will happen. Like they might wake up in the middle of the night crying (gasp) or what if they go hungry (have you seen our children eat)?

Or maybe I’ll miss some major event (Sebby is going to walk any day now, I’m sure of it…Note: he barely wobbles in a standing position…he ain’t walking any time soon…).

Not that I don’t leave them for the date night or to finally get back to my career and work a bit. It’s just the overnight thing. I want to be the last person to tuck them in at night. Give them a kiss. And the first to see them when they wake up. Is that so bad?

But I also know that I’m in desperate need of a few things for me:

1. A night of un-interrupted sleep.
2. A morning where I wake up when I want.
3. A night when I go to sleep when I want (most nights, it’s early because of #2)

….are you noticing a theme here…SLEEP!

4. Some alone time with a book by the pool without an “expiration date” or someone asking me to help them with 1 of about a million things.
5. And of course some serious QT with my hubby.

Next weekend we are finally going to get that time. We’ve just booked a night in Los Angeles for a work event and more importantly some adult time.

Justin’s Dad is coming down for a visit and he and his girlfriend are going to watch Stella and Sebby for us.

Of course I’ve got a laundry list of things to get organized to make sure things are easy for Grandad and Teresa while we are away.

But this trip it’s fun to actually get to plan what I’m going to wear. Where we are going to eat. What club we are going to hit. What book and magazines I’ll be bringing to the pool!

Not:
How many diapers should I bring;
Do we need both strollers?
What snacks, toys, books, etc. should I bring?
When should we plan to drive up so it coordinates with naps?
What will we do while we are there that children will like?
Call to book a crib for the hotel…
Yada, yada, yada…

Nope, none of that.

So easy!

The simplest “baby free” travel.

A word on my absence from writing…

Life has been pretty chaotic for us over the past 8-9 months. We moved 4 times…were homeless for a month (not bad “homeless” but just in between houses and spent time with family and friends), bought and furnished a condo in Vancouver, started a new business, moved to San Diego…the list goes on. But hopefully I’ll be back to writing more. We don’t have a lot of trips planned (staycation is in our vocabulary now…a bit tired of travel) but I have quite a few to catch up on.

We are off tomorrow for the Olympics in Vancouver. I am really excited to be back “home” and to feel some of the Olympic spirit.

There was quite a bit of organizing and planning involved for this trip as Stella is staying behind (Grandad, Justin’s Dad, is here and taking her to Sea World and Disneyland) and we are just taking Sebby.

A little QT with Sebby (something he hasn’t really had being “the second born”) and also some time for Stella to enjoy her Grandad and his girlfriend Teresa. And of course a little break for Justin and I. Our old and dear nanny, Ciska, is going to babysit a bit for us as well. We are looking forward to seeing her.

Tomorrow night we are going to the Swiss House (most of the big countries represented at the Olympics have a “house”). Saturday we are going to just enjoy the Olympic venues downtown or in Richmond. Sunday we are going to a venue downtown to watch the USA vs. Canada game. Should be a good time. No events on the agenda for now…tickets are crazy expensive or not so exciting (curling anyone…).

But who knows!

Will miss my little girl dearly but should be a great weekend. It will be our first time away from her.

It’s weird to be traveling again with just one baby and it seems so simple since he’s still breastfeeding and doesn’t really need any toys. We aren’t even checking bags…

Vancouver here we come!