Parenting Article:

The Plane Trip

By: Ruth powell

You realise how hard you work as a mother when you enjoy a 17 hour plane trip.

I am a Perth Mum of two young children, Miss three and Mr six. Our family currently lives in Hawaii, my husband is in the Australian Defense (sorry Defence….the US is already rubbing off). I do some part time work from home and a couple of weeks ago I went back to WA for work - BY MYSELF...NO CHILDREN. I have never been away from them before, but knowing my husband was 'taking holidays' to be with them (and was excited about) I knew they would cope well.

The morning I depart...a little hectic but 10 days just having to take care of me! I am feeling good. Get to the airport...Mr six starts to get upset...hmm I am still OK so wave goodbye delighted I am on the other side of this good bye for a change (husband...defence). I walk through the security and there it finally is – the panicky thoughts, sudden shortness of breath, want to run back and hug them again...too late...I keep walking...collect my hand luggage and my thoughts again...pull yourself together Ruth... 10 Days alone...for the fist time in 6 years...OK feel good again... What do I need from child...sorry duty free shopping.

Board the plane. I get an aisle seat, middle row with no one behind me. Wow, what a feeling. Unpack my newly purchased sound eliminating headphones (why hadn't I thought of these before) get my book out (1st novel I have read in years) and just sit, smirk on face. Two middle aged ladies bustle in next to me, complaining about the prospect of the ten hour flight to Sydney and this small seat. Nothing can change my mood however, as I sit there smiling enjoying so many Australian 'accents' around me knowing that all I have to do for the next 17 hours as I make my way to Perth is, read, watch TV, listen to music, be served a few meals, coffee, chocolate and then when things can't get any better - a glass of wine. I close my eyes and think to myself that I must be the happiest, most relaxed person on the plane, as the lady next to says "I need a smoke".

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