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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU for going on a month-long business trip?

52 replies

NimbleAmberPoet · 25/05/2026 08:46

Started a new job in January as an executive assistant to a Chinese businessman who’s based mostly in the UK but also works in Hong Kong and mainland China. I’m due to leave on 1 June for a month-long work trip split between Hong Kong and the mainland. I’ve never travelled that far before and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited. Everything’s being paid for and it’s all extremely luxurious, which honestly still feels a bit surreal to me. I’ve got a husband and an 8-year-old son. DH is struggling a bit with the idea of me being away for that long. Partly jealousy I think, partly anxiety about managing at home alone, even though both sets of grandparents are nearby and very keen to help. I’m not asking whether I should go, that decision’s already made. Just wondering if I’m unreasonable for being genuinely excited about it rather than guilty.

OP posts:
sittingonabeach · 26/05/2026 08:30

Part of me thinks this is not going to be a role with great work/life balance. Obviously if you have a job on the oil rigs you know that this will involve large chunks of time away. But a month long business trip seems unusual to me and a huge expectation to put on someone.

Also with the time difference with Hong Kong/China will you be expected to work or at least be available for their working hours?

Daftypants · 26/05/2026 08:43

Well I was left to sole parent my oldest child for weeks on end sometimes with absolutely no help at all .
No grandparents , aunties or uncles , I didn’t have paid help either or a nursery place .
When child was 3 , I managed to get 2 morning playgroup sessions which only ran from about 9.15 to 12pm ( needed to be there for pick up before then )
Looking back I really ought to have insisted we had 1 or 2 days at a nursery .
But it was expected I do it all .
so do NOT feel guilty as my husband didn’t feel guilty leaving me to do it all !
When I had more children , he had other work and leisure trips too but maybe only 2 weeks or so .
Feel excited to have the opportunity to go with a native Chinese 🇨🇳 speaker to mainland China and spend time in HK !

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