Locum Tenens: Balancing Parenting and Travel
Modern life is busy. There are so many demands on a working parent’s time that sometimes it seems as if there is no time to take a breath. Locum tenens pharmacists have an even harder time finding a balance between work and home. But like parents in other professions that require travel, it’s a matter of scheduling work around home and not the other way around.
Children are portable
Traveling to a new city can be exciting for children when school is out and gives you the chance to make some great memories. Take assignments at places guaranteed to delight your family. When you’re off, take full advantage of the local opportunities by attending a football or baseball game, checking out the local parks, beaches, and lakes, and visiting museums, zoos, aquariums, and theme parks. Treat your days off as if they are vacation days to maximize the precious time you have with your family.
Scheduling intelligence
There are some events that are vitally important to your family. Before you choose an assignment, check your family calendar. If your anniversary or your daughter’s birthday is on the horizon, take an assignment close to home or plan ahead to fly home for the important dates. It’s okay to miss a few dance recitals or basketball games as long as you make an effort to take an interest – ask for details, insist on seeing the videos, and attend what you can while you’re in town. Kids want you to make an effort, but they also know you have to work. When you’re home, pay attention. You may not have time to be the little league coach, but you can find the time to take your son to the batting cages to improve his swing, and you can bring him an autographed ball cap if you find yourself working near Wrigley Field.
Developing perspective
Plenty of parents who work a block from home have not learned to balance home and family. The important thing is not being there every single day, but making sure your family feels loved and appreciated even when you’re not. Video phone calls are a fact of life today, allowing you to chat face to face from anywhere in the world as often as you like.
Scheduling advantages to locum tenens
While there are a few challenges to overcome with a travel lifestyle, there are undeniable advantages to the versatile schedule offered by locum tenens work. Unlike regular employees, you’re free to take a break between assignments, schedule assignments in the location of your choice, and have as many vacations as you like and can afford. By taking your family’s schedule into consideration and adjusting your own assignments accordingly, you can use locum tenens work to create a truly memorable family experience and a lifetime of happy memories for your children.
Have any other tips on managing work and family time while on a locum tenens assignment? Share with us in the comments below.