ARCTIC OBITER

22 | ARCTIC OBITER
DISPATCHES
The Business Trip Survival Guide
by Karan Shaner, Assistant Deputy Minister of Justice, GNWT
Among the most dreaded words that can be exchanged by
two working parents are ‚I’ve got to go out of town for a
week‛. Sure, there are some advantages to having your other
half leave town for awhile, like having seven nights of
exclusive possession of the television remote and getting to
put whatever you want into the dishwasher. Typically, there
are significantly fewer socks strewn about the house. Despite
these apparent advantages, however, hearing these words
means that you’re in for a long, long week of nagging,
cajoling, yelling, stressing out about looming deadlines and
unwritten trial briefs, while chasing lost mittens and eating
on the run. That’s where being prepared with
the right supplies can make all the difference
in the world and help you keep your sanity.
"Good morning" and gets a sleepy kid out of bed and to
school on time quite like breakfast cereal that is the
nutritional equivalent of Hallowe'en candy. My favourite is
"Lucky Charms". Mmmmmm.
Wonderbread: I hate this stuff, but the last thing you
need when there is only one of you is to discover that the
bread with which you intended to make sandwiches for
kids’ lunches is mouldy. Wonderbread has lots and lots of
preservatives and lasts for months on the shelf. That's why
it's called "Wonderbread".
Most of us understand the concept of being
prepared for a raining day – or a sudden
business trip, as the case may be. One friend
of mine insisted on having emergency hostess
supplies handy, for unexpected visits by
people she barely knows, but feels she must
impress. I’m positive that her fridge and
pantry still contain: a wheel of brie (within the
expiration date), red pepper jelly, (chilled)
white wine and gourmet crackers. Of course,
she always keeps her house tidy and her
bathroom is oddly bereft of gobs of pink
bubblegum-flavoured toothpaste all over the
counter and in the sink.
Being prepared for the spousal business trip is much the
same idea, but the survival gear is a little different. Here's
what every busy mom with a partner on a business trip
should have on hand to make it through the week:
Sugary Cereal: New parents and parents of the yet-to-be
-born usually scoff at this idea, as they are still in that
adorable stage of imagining that their children will happily
eat homemade oatmeal, plain yoghurt or hot millet.
Experienced parents know, however, that nothing says
Canned pasta: In case you forgot to purchase
Wonderbread and your other bread is green, Zoodles,
Alpha-Getti and Chef Boyardee make a good lunch
alternative. (Note: this only works if you have chosen to
educate your children at a school that has microwaves in the
classrooms). It also makes a nice dinner, served with toasted
Wonderbread.
Frozen mini-pizzas: Since you actually have to bake
these, they count as a home-cooked dinner.