Most of us end up leaving our children overnight at some point, whether it’s for a getaway with our husband, a girls’ weekend, or a ladies’ retreat at church. Some of us are gone several times a year for blogging events or other business travel. Making sure that the children are cared for is an added pressure whenever we have to leave. We want to be sure that they are cared for physically, but their emotional well-being is always on our minds as well.
My Mommy’s on a Business Trip by Phaedra Cucina is a delightful picture book that helps address this. The text is clear and simple, yet it has a good rhythm for reading aloud (as any picture book should).
The book is written from the perspective of a child, wondering what her mommy is doing while on her business trip. The pictures show the child play-acting the same things that she thinks Mommy is doing: having fun riding trains and planes, swimming in the hotel pool, and having lunch meetings.
The message is reassuring, including the points that Mommy always calls, and Mommy always comes back. I think that this book would be good for any child, from about age two on up. And I mean, on up. I would think that an eight-year-old who was struggling with his mother’s travel would be comforted by this book as well (especially if he or she had a younger sibling to read it to).
Although the pictures and text depict a traveling mom, if it’s the dad who travels, I would think that it would be a good resource to use at home in that situation as well.
It does include the fact that “Mommy had to go away because her work helps our family and makes her happy,” which is a bit more Mommy-centered, addressing the working vs. non-working moms. I think it’s an important message, and can help children take pride in their mom’s accomplishments.
The back of the book includes a world map and a U.S. map, which is great to show the child right then where Mommy is (or where she has been on other business trips).
This book was recently recommended by Working Mother magazine, and I can see why. It is available exclusively at MommyTrip.com.
We have one copy to give away to one winner (with a U.S. or Canadian address). Leave a comment if you’d like to win. The winner will be announced in next week’s column.
The winner of Learning to Live Financially Free is # 59 Cathy.
You should have received an email from me. If not, please send your shipping info to 5minutesforbooksATgmail(DOT)com.
Written by 5 Minutes for Books managing editor Jennifer Donovan, who also blogs at Snapshot
thanks for the chance to win this book!
Please enter me 🙂
ty 4 the awesome giveaway and 4 the entry:)
Sounds like a very nice book I can share with my goddaugthers. Thanks for the giveaway
sharr1226 at yahoo dot com
I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
This would be great for when I go back to work
My daughter is 2 and I am a single mom. I always worry about her when I am away on business because she isn’t in daycare and I take care of her from my office at home. This would be a great book for her when I have to leave for conferences and meetings.
I would love to be entered to win this book. It looks really interesting. Thank you for having this giveaway.
litefoot873 (@) hotmail.com
This book sounds wonderful. It would be so useful for my brother and his family. I’d love to pass it on to them if I am the lucky winner.
JDSG
visionquest2020 (at) msn (dot) com
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
I want it 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win!
Would love this for my nieces and nephews. It’s so hard for them when a parent is traveling.
Please enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
I’d love a chance to win!! Thanks
This book would be perfect for my niece! Her mom has to travel for work sometimes and it isn’t always easy explaining to her why her mom isn’t home once it gets dark. Thanks!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
I’d love to win this book for my little niece.
i want to win it because of who wrote it.!
I would love the book!
I would love this for my friend’s daughter!! Thanks.
LOOKS like a neat book
love to read this one myself mverno@roadrunner.com
I’d love to win!
What a great book.
I would love to win this book for my daughter, since I have a full time job and am a full time mother.
My almost two year old is just beginning to realize that Mommy goes away for business quite often…right now she is ok with it but I think this book would help Daddy explain
My husband could use this book when I’m out of town!
I’m a subscriber
I’d like to be entered to win.
On the rare occasion when I have to travel for business, I write a book for my daughter. this would be a fun addition to our library!
This is a wonderful book! Thank you so much!
I would love this book!
I would love this!
I’m a SAHM but my friend is not. I think this would be helpful for her and her daughter!
Looks like a good book!
I’d love to win this book for my nieces. Thanks for the chance.