This is my 1st trip w/out Leo since he was born. Everyone does things at their own time. He’s almost 5 you might think well it was time, but the beauty of life is that you can make it exactly what you want it to be. Some people are ready to leave their child early, totally ok, some struggle longer. I fell into the latter. I never thought I’d be that mom, but I accept myself. He’ll be w/his dad, attending school, no jet-lags, his routine won’t be disrupted. It’s exciting + bittersweet to get on a plane to fly to Italy to work. I’m lucky for having had the luxury to be able to wait this long. Some people have no choice. So here I am boarding a flight while looking at pics of us. I’ll miss my baby + I’ll also so enjoy to be ME, to not think about meals, class, bedtime, needs, activities, being present mentally + physically 24/7 in the way I’d be doing it if I was home, while also taking care of my own duties. I’m going to have a blast. Going from work to drinks w/friends w/out headaches towards organizing it all, being able to take my momentarily freedom for granted. As a parent to be free is a luxury. Happy to try it. Mom guilt’s a thing though. That being said how many work trips do some dads or moms take w/out even appreciating how much it’s done at home solo while they’re gone? Even taking it for granted to the point that because they feel they pay the bills + motherhood (rarely but sometimes fatherhood too) is “unpaid”, they think that the other party has a free ride? That’s not a job? A job that in comparison to theirs has literally no time off? This convo could run deep. Where I’m at though, is that I’m leaving for a work trip, I know how much to do is left at home, what the challenges are, how IMPORTANT the role is, that the unpaid shares of my duties taken by someone else are worth a lot: I know them one by one. I’m grateful that my son is loved, w/someone who’ll play both roles: that job’s truly worth so much. To all parents that take the full unpaid share of duties so that the other party is able to not compromise their careers, you’re worthy. Stand up straight, pls don’t let anyone make you feel small about it. I’m proud of you. I see you. 💕✈️ #Mom