DH and I dont struggle career issues with this now but I definitely see the potential for more struggle when LO arrives.

Background: I am an auditor, I worked in external audit and paid my dues for 6 years, now I am in internal audit for a Tier 1 automotive supplier. My current role is nothing phenomenal but I love my company and my boss (our VP of audit) has been making a point of getting me exposure to more executives here with the hopes I can become and up and comer in the company. I likely have another year maybe two in internal audit before I should think about moving somewhere else in the company for more growth - so I have that much time to get to where I need to be for that move.

A part of my job requires that I travel. This travel is two fold 1) normal travel to assist on normal audits 2) special projects which often come with excellent exposure opportunities. For the last two years I have raised my hand for every one of the special project audits knowing that I'd have to slow that down at some point. The normal audits are just a part of my job - it is what it is.

However, DH has expressed some concern lately towards the amount of travel I do. Last year I traveled 12 weeks (this is VERY low for an Internal Audit role - I am seriously lucky) and DH has implied that I cannot travel once we have LO. This is not an option. My response is "ok - I can slam on the brakes on my career or we can compromise and I will promise to only travel M-F" DH still throws resistance to this but knows he wants my career still moving forward as I have really great growth potential at this company and he knows I want this.

My question for you ladies who have careers that require travel is 1) how did you ease your way back into travel once LO came? 2) How did you balance career advancing opportunities and family life after LO came?

Like I said, I told my bosses I will travel anywhere so long as it is just the work week. I was also thinking that I could possibly bring LO with me (and have my mom come along or DH) when it is a fun/exciting place (i.e. Europe). I dont expect to keep up the same level of travel but I'd like to be able to stay involved with those special project opportunities every once in a while to keep my career on the path I have worked hard to get it on the last 2 years.

I guess i am just looking for some feedback from you ladies on how you have juggled it all!