The Week Away

Despite the great room they gave us,
I'm NEVER going back to that conference!

I had intended to write a post to remind myself and warn others to NEVER accompany your spouse to a week-long conference where every day would be consumed from 7am to 7, 8, 9 pm with talks, discussions, moderation sessions, break-out sessions, planning board meetings, specialty meetings, etc...

I only agreed to go, to take advantage of a paid opportunity to visit D1 at her college over the weekend.

Other than that, thank goodness my in-laws drove ten hours to keep me company during the week. Otherwise, I would've been bored to tears.

However, I think I've changed my mind about the trip.

Something good has happened from my week's long absence from home.

I left D3 in the care of my ex-husband, her father for the week. After one night, D3 decided she would rather come back home and asked my mother to come stay at the house with her. Lucky for me and her, my mother was thrilled at the opportunity to spend so much time with one of her grandkids.

So that's what happened.

When I left, I left a some-what broody and quiet teen daughter, and a mother who couldn't seem to understand why I was too busy to do things with her on a daily basis.

I returned home to a daughter who seems genuinely happy to see me, talkative, upbeat, and grateful for everything I do for her. While my mother enjoyed the opportunity, she was exhausted and has a better understanding of just how busy my days are.

Sometimes a week away does wonders!

{DISCLAIMER: Nevertheless, I have put Doc H on notice that I will NOT be attending this particular conference with him EVER AGAIN! It's too much, the days are too long, and they fully utilize Doc H every second of the day. I'd rather stay home and scrub a toilet. Well, not really... the toilet, that is.}