It's great being married to a doctor (or resident, or medical student) because...

[corn poffi]

I'm the same way, Julia! I just see spouses bored out of their minds at so many of these conferences. If there isn't anything planned for them, they don't even leave the venue. It drives me bonkers.

[migirl]

Oh yeah, I'm a very independent traveler too. I've been perfectly happy to say good-bye to DH as he leaves in the mornings (and see and do all the things *I* want to) and then meeting back up with him for dinner!

[v-girl]

I would love to go...without kids. But taking three kids and having to entertain them all day is easier at home than away. If I could leave the kids with someone it would be awesome!

[SuzySunshine]

Oh yeah, I'm a very independent traveler too. I've been perfectly happy to say good-bye to DH as he leaves in the mornings (and see and do all the things *I* want to) and then meeting back up with him for dinner!

Me too - this is why I love the conferences, we don't take the kids. If they were somewhere family friendly, like Orlando, we would - otherwise they stay home with grandma and grandpa!

[OrionGrad]

We just got back from a 4 day trauma course with DH in San Diego. BabyJ and I met up with friends and hung out at the pool during the day, and we met up with DH and the other residents for dinner each night. We paid for our own rental car so I wouldn't be stuck at the hotel during the day. I could see things being more challenging with more than one kiddo in tow.

[spotty_dog]

We sure get plenty of brochures for CME presentations in exotic locations that are marketing themselves as exciting destinations. But as a self-employed contractor, DH basically would pay out of pocket to travel to a conference. Even calling it a business expense wouldn't save enough in taxes to justify it, especially when he has no problem keeping up on his CME credits online. He might be traveling solo to a conference within driving distance this year though. Anyway, I guess we do business and pleasure separately.

[Pollyanna]

Anyway, I guess we do business and pleasure separately.

Yes, this is us too. Plus if I'm spending money to go on vacation with my husband I sure as hell don't want to share him with medicine. To me that's just the same old crap in a new location. Not at all appealing to me.

[SuzySunshine]

Isn't that funny? I'm more then happy to pay for an airplane ticket to sit in a paid for hotel room and shop or read or sit by the pool sans children! It may not be a vacation for DH but its a great vacation for me! he he

[ladymoreta]

Isn't that funny? I'm more then happy to pay for an airplane ticket to sit in a paid for hotel room and shop or read or sit by the pool sans children! It may not be a vacation for DH but its a great vacation for me! he he

This sounds lovely to me, too! I tagged along to a conference in NYC a couple years ago and had a great time. Don't tell, but he skipped an afternoon session to hang out with me...

[Bittersweet]

Isn't that funny? I'm more then happy to pay for an airplane ticket to sit in a paid for hotel room and shop or read or sit by the pool sans children! It may not be a vacation for DH but its a great vacation for me! he he

Sounds fantastic to me!!! Once I'm no longer a baby food source, I will be tagging along as much as possible.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Isn't that funny? I'm more then happy to pay for an airplane ticket to sit in a paid for hotel room and shop or read or sit by the pool sans children! It may not be a vacation for DH but its a great vacation for me! he he

Count me in! One of my favorite vacations ever was a summer conference in Tahoe during med school. I walked around Olympic Village, read in the sunshine, went horseback riding, and met DH in the late afternoon!

[alotofyarn]

Is conference travel a perk? Is this a thing that happens? Do docs have conferences in cool places? Our faculty chair in our dept is always going to fun conferences and takes her sons--Zurich, Australia, Seattle, BVI, etc. I talked to the son of an ophthalmologist over the weekend and he said they got to go to pretty fun places too, when his dad was going to a conference and their school schedule allowed.

It can be, but probably not unless you're more well established and don't have young kids at home. I'll admit, I've gone on several cool trips with my parents for my dad's conferences, and my mom has gone on even more. Best were Amsterdam when I was in 6th grade (thank you Genzyme) and Atlantis in the Bahamas (I think this was on our dime, but cool still). Since he's very active and had leadership roles in his society, a lot of his expenses have been paid recently, so adding my mom or a kid just required paying for flights, since there was room for all of us in the hotel.

[migirl]

Isn't that funny? I'm more then happy to pay for an airplane ticket to sit in a paid for hotel room and shop or read or sit by the pool sans children! It may not be a vacation for DH but its a great vacation for me! he he

Me too! I spent another great day today going for a 4-mile run, going to a yoga class, reading my book by the beach, and then wandering around the island with DH when he finished with his stuff for the day. No kids to referee, no meals to cook, no chores to do, lots of "me" time AND lots of couple time ... yep, sounds like a good vacation to me!

[v-girl]

I need my mom to not work so I can go with DH. Maybe in a few years when we can afford to pay her living expenses. I just need an extra $1500/month for her to be able to quit working!

[SoonerTexan]

DH and I went to NOLA his first year of med school for a research conference. It was fun! We ate a lot of beignets and I got to see him present. It was neat. Best part is it was the first week of Mardi Gras--all the fun of the parades, etc without the crowds.