10 Things to do Before, During and After Leaving Kids for Business Travel
Leaving your kids to travel on business can be heartbreaking. Especially, if your kids have grown accustomed to you being around all of the time. There is also no way of telling how your child will react and if you’re taking business trips regularly, it could have a long term effect on your relationship.
So whether you’re leaving for 2 days or 10, here are some things you can do before during and after your business trip away from the family.
Tell Your Kids In Advance Before Leaving on Business
No Matter how many times you tell your little ones you’re leaving on a trip, nothing is going to prepare them for the day you leave. Let them know about your trip ahead of time and consistently remind them so when the day finally arrives they know what to expect.
Set Expectations
Let them know exactly how long you will be gone, when you will arrive and what time of day you will call them. It’s also important to set expectation that daddy being gone doesn’t give them freedom to be a rebel without a cause. Make sure mom is there to cover and enforce the ground rules.
Mark the Days on a Calendar
Print out a calendar or have your kiddo design one. Mark the day you are leaving and when you will return. Kids are visual and working on a special calendar will not only help them prepare for your trip but will also
Use a Countdown Timer
Much like the calendar, these countdown timers are visual and have multiple uses. I like to set it to countdown the days before I leave and reset it to count the days until I return from my trip. You can also use it for Birthdays, Holidays, Etc.
Most kids don’t understand the concept of time and giving them something visual can help with the grasp of time.
Thank Your Spouse
Going on a business trip and leaving your spouse to watch after the kids can be easy depending on the age. But, if your kids are below 4 years old and still going through the terrible tantrum phase, it can be tough, especially if you have multiple kids.
Be sure to thank your spouse before you go on your business trip. While your working out in the world they are at home working with the kids.
Click here for my tips on dealing with the Terrible Twos and Treacherous 3s
Stick to the Daily Routine
Sticking to the daily routine will be difficult since you obviously won’t be home. But, if your kids go to bed at 8:30 every night and you’re the one who tucks them into bed. Be sure to give them a call to tell them goodnight.
Enjoy the “Break” and Try not to feel Guilty
I will be honest, sometimes it’s nice to get away from the family and take a break from my little perfect gentlemen. But sometimes it can be like a mini vacation depending on the destination. However, after that second day or tenth trip you will start to miss your kids and feel a little guilty that you have been gone for a period of time.
Don’t feel bad if you’re out in the world and trying to put food on the table and make a better life for your children. However, If you do see that the business travel is starting to put a strain on your relationship than it might be time to start looking for another gig.
Facetime Everyday
What is the next best thing to talking to dad on the phone?
Face timing with dad on the phone. I like to walk around and give my kids a tour of my hotel room. You can even have some fun and make funny faces via Snapchat with the filter options. There are plenty of apps you can use like What’s App, SnapChat and Facebook that offer free facetime services
Buy a Souvenir
Make sure to pick up a souvenir on from wherever you travel too. They are easy to find at the airport. It can be as easy as a stuffed animal or magnet with the name of the city you’re doing business in. While gifts can’t replace your time together, it can give them something else to be excited about.
The only problem is they will come to expect a gift every time you travel so it can get expensive.
Send and Receive Lots of Pictures!
Hey, you’re on business, not a vacation but for those times you do get to do a little sight-seeing take a selfie or two so your kids can see where you are and what you’re up too. In return ask them to send a photo to you.
It’s a great way to add to the conversation when you do have a chance to speak on the phone.
Moral of the Story
My wife and I once took a trip to Playa Del Carmen for five days. Our son at the time was two years old and it was hard to leave him while we went to kick our feet up in the sand. We called him every day and when we came home, we were expecting him to run to our arms with excitement. Instead, he greeted us with a frown and resentment. Poor little guy. We felt guilty and decided not to take another trip until he was old enough to join us. Unfortunately, that is not a reality when your job requires travel.
So, when that business trip comes up, be sure to over communicate so that by the time you return, it can feel like you never left.
But what do I know, I am just a guy trying to figure out this dad thing.
