Some may think I am crazy for sticking with my current job for over 7 years because I commute pretty close to an hour each way but in all honesty, now that I have children, the long commute is a blessing in disguise. It takes 10 minutes or so to get to daycare and then I have 45 minutes all to myself in the mornings and afternoons on work days with the caveat that I am stuck behind the wheel.
For me, the drive is not bad. I stop and grab a Dunkin’ coffee. I listen to the news and am actually able to hear what is being said (holy cow!), or I listen to music really LOUD. I am alone with my thoughts and it is really nice. On the way home, I call my mom and chat with her without having to stop mid-conversation to say, “Hey, don’t do that!” or feel tiny hands and fingers pulling on my pant legs. I also am able to stop and run into the store without it being a toddler-in-tow escapade. Not that an outing to the store with my girls is not completely doable but it is not top on my list of things I want to do after spending a day in the office.
I love my kids more than life itself but I need some alone time to keep my sanity and I’ll take it however I can get it, even if it’s on the road. So right now, my commute is a luxury and I’ll keep it thank you.
Anyone else enjoy their commute?
CT Working Moms 
Well I hear you on the ME time – and as I have mentioned in one of my blog posts before – I too have an hour commute to and from work…and although in the fall the scenery down through the Naugatuck Valley is nice 🙂 – I really do Hate my Commute!
It sucks money away on gas and I would so rather be with my family maybe 45 mins or a 1/2 hour sooner – so although from time to time it is a little peaceful – I really dislike my daily commute.
So when do I get to press the button and just appear at my driveway? – it is 2012 weren’t we all to be driving space mobils by now LOL – at least thats what I thought from the Jetsons as a kid. Enjoy your ride ~ Ladies ❤
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I couldn’t agree more. For about 4 years I had a commute that was just over an hr each way. Most people thought I was crazy (espcially with the gas prices), but I loved it. It gave me time to think, wake-up a bit before I got to work, listen to news or music, and like you said run into a store on my way home that actually was on my way home. Once I had my daughter my husband and I thought about putter her in the daycare close to my work, thought it would be good to have her right down the road. But as I thought about it more, that would mean an hr car right twice a day with her and if she was hungry or needed a change, would be even longer. Love being with the daughter but my commute was my time. My 2 hrs a day to myself. We quickly choose one close to home.
Last summer I was laid off from that job and now working 10mins from home. Love the savings on gas, the fact that I am right down the road from daycare (my husband takes her in the mornign so I only have to stop on my way home). But I miss my long commute. I miss the time to think and being able to stop at the store if needed on my way home. Now everythign is out of my way. One big thing I have notices, it was much easier to get up and out of the house in the morning with the long drive. I knew I had a long drive ahead of me and knew if I waited any longer the traffic would be worse. With only 10mins now, I find myself wasting time in the morning. Figure, its only 10mins away and the only traffice I may hit is a school bus.
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I love this – I feel the same way. I also drive about an hour each way, but just 3 days per week. The other 2 days I have some quiet time at home working instead of the car, so it balances well. It is my respite, my catch up time, my time to sing loudly or maybe even cry to myself. It is a time to process my thoughts and decompress from my day. A little well deserved break!
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Couldnt agree more!
I have a 35 minute commute one way – ive been there for over 10 years – and although sometimes in the evening I wish my drive was only 5 minutes it gives me ME time!
Sometimes I ride with the radio off and just enjoy the silence!! Sometimes I listen to my old playlists (before child! Ya know, the rap & rock ones!) because often times when Im chauffeuring a toddler around he wants HIS music! 🙂
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