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24 More Hours

April 08, 2005 | Category: Family, It's a Trip



Since CD started his new job in November, he has been flown to Texas 3 times to meet up with the national team for training. Yeah, for a job he is already grossly overqualified to do, but let's not start on that subject OK?

When I travel, I have a self-imposed rule that I never plan to be away from my son more that 3 nights. I will usually fly out on a Monday morning and come back on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, CD's boss decided that the entire team should stay over Friday night so he can host them all to a party on Saturday. Unpaid time, mind you.

I can not imagine the scenario where I would demand this OR agree to it. HOW is this boss guy was so insensitive to the burden he's putting on all these guys and so unclear about professional boundaries?

Did he just land on this planet? The deal is that you go out on Wednesday or Thursday night so your team can be home with their families Friday.

But not this guy. Nope.

Bear hasn't seen his Daddy since Monday morning and for whatever reason missed their usual lunchtime conversation the first 3 days of the week. Today, Bear went into an emotional freefall. He refused to talk with CD at lunch. Then demanded to call him hours later, just to break out in tears when CD came on the line.

He found a picture of CD and has been carrying it around today in his pocket. When it was nap time, he brought over all his stuff from his bed to mine. We crawled into bed together, him clutching my hair. His blue eyes staring into mine and welling up. Finally he collapsed into hysterics, wailing for his Daddy and asking if CD was ever coming home. I rocked him until he fell asleep in my arms.

CD just called to tell me that he and the team, at loose ends tonight, are going out to a bar. It took all the patience of an adult not to slam down the phone in frustration.

I've just got to get my son through 24 more hours.


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Tagged: Corporate, Mommy, Life



Comments


That's absurd what CD's boss is doing. Very sucky. I'm so sorry for Bear (and for you, having to deal with it all as gracefully as possible.)

I stay up way too late all the time, too, then pay for it the next day. Usually I crawl back into bed with little man instead of DH when he's home because it's just easier to deal with. Think when he's 8 he won't appreciate that so much? heh. (Totally kidding.)

jen

Posted by: Jen_Jake'smom on April 11, 2005 01:03 PM


I am so sorry to hear how much Bear - and yourself are suffering.

abs x

I too love the princess bride by the way! Have you read the book?

Posted by: abs on April 10, 2005 12:31 PM


If it makes you feel any better, CD's company isn't the only one that does that. My husband's been flying out on Sunday afternoon (I hate it when they ruin your weekend) and flying back on the Wednesday red-eye (and going to work the next day). It makes for a loooooong week.

One thing that really helps my boy is videoconferencing with Daddy before bedtime and watching home movies of Daddy during the day. I can tell when he's really missing him, because he pops in a DVD and watches it over and over. It helps.

Posted by: notdonnareed on April 8, 2005 11:24 PM


You might try video-ing Bear in his most unhappy state. Then send the tape anonymously to The Boss and write a note saying, "This is what happens when you don't let your workers go home to their families!" Could work. Man, I'm a deviatant.

Posted by: ieatcrayonz on April 8, 2005 09:21 PM


Bless your heart!! CD at times is really clueless. Hang in there and know that you are loved. Hugs!!!

Posted by: Azalea on April 8, 2005 06:28 PM


Ouch. That's hard. My last three day trip had the kids flipping out. I can't imagine what they'd have been like after a week.

Posted by: Jim on April 8, 2005 06:25 PM