LP & business travel. How...?!

[Boopear]

Am looking for ideas & a bit of inspiration!

I am a LP to a 10yr old. No local family support/ex DP lives 2 hrs away. All current before/after school childcare done through combo of childminder/school clubs.

I have just moved jobs to one that, on the face of it, is perfect. Pay great, short commute (20 mins each way) and lots of professional potential. However, there is one big issue - the business has lots of offices all over the UK and there seems to be a general culture that staff travel to other offices at relatively short notice for local meetings. I am a project manager and deliver solutions to all these other offices, so this is likely to be needed relatively soon. This isn't likely to be doable within my current childcare hours which, at a push, can be 7 - 7. This won't, taking some current examples, allow me to be in Cardiff for 8 am, which is 4 hrs drive away or do an overnight in Manchester.

I am rather irked, as I was told no travel in my interview, but I think my boss was talking about international travel (my last role was a remote global one) rather than UK, as it is clear that all the other PMs travel as needed. To give him his due, he is aware of my situation, but I can really see it affecting my job (and ability to progress) if I can't travel outside of my childcare hours.

I am just looking for ideas really, both in terms of childcare and/or the job itself. I am tempted to look for another job with no travel, but the rest of it is working well. The other option is increasing childcare but I am a bit stuck on any options apart from calling in help from friends, which i am reluctant to do on a regular basis.

Anyone else do this? If so, what would you advise...?

Sleepovers at friends'? That's what I would do. Be prepared to reciprocate.

Conference call into meetings?

If you are a project manager, why not see if it is possible to do some of these meetings across digital platforms? Skype for Business or other venues? That way you will save your employers a lot in terms of time and travel, and you will perhaps all be more efficient?

God, that was quick. Thanks! Yes, try to conf call as much as poss - my last job was actually global project delivery and managed most of the delivery through conf calls with people I never met. However, this company is a little more tech adverse, which is frustrating..

Sleepovers good option, just wary about taking the mick. I also have a child with very few friends, which really doesn't help!

Thanks all!

If it is going to be a regular issue then I would look at getting a sensible au pair who is willing to be in charge over night when needed. This assumed you have the room for one or can get the space but could also mean you can step down some of the after school clubs and childminders which would reduce other costs to offset

My role is similar. I have a v understanding boss and I manage by the skin of my teeth really. Conference calls etc, and I do the travelling after breakfast club and make up the time at evenings etc.

Good opportunity to encourage them to use more technology? Should be saving costs, so you might be able to persuade them that way.

I'm a project manager and would suggest you use video combined with audio if you are using Skype for Business or Webex, as this will increase your profile and levels of engagement.

Unfortunately it can become out of sight, out of mind unless you take control of that.

I'd get an au pair, you'll have someone in the house to allow for short notice meetings and it'll allow for babysitting etc when you need it.

There are lots of threads about au pairs on the home childcare board.