Steve, I'm a long-time reader of your blog and I've often noticed that you mention your children very rarely. Not a criticism, just an observation. Perhaps it's out of respect for their privacy.
For me, parenting has enabled huge, and I mean HUGE, growth in all areas of my personal and professional development. Finding my purpose, improving time management and efficiency, overcoming social anxiety, even reducing my sleep requirements
... those are just a few areas where I can thank my kiddos!
For what it's worth, I've made several 12-15 hr trips by plane with my two children solo, without my husband. He needed to travel on a different schedule and there was no way I would leave my children when they were so young. One very spirited, intense 3-year-old and one 9-month-old baby. I've had many strangers pause to tell me how brave I was.
But really it was not so hard! Attitude is everything. I just expect to enjoy my travel companions and you know what-- I really and truly do.
A practical idea- can you travel with another family? It's often easier when the kids can entertain each other and also allows the adults to trade off taking the evening off. And consider staying at an apartment-style rental instead of a hotel.
annie-- It's my husband's dream to travel the country homeschooling in an RV!1