Career and Kids

Traveling for work

by elizabeth on February 6th, 2007

Many parents have jobs that involve travel, and, that is always a challenge when it comes to childcare, or, just spending time with your children.

While my job involves very little travel, maybe once a year, there are many of you who are experts on the subject. There are many jobs that involve extensive travel, and, only you know if that’s right for you and your family.

Like it, hate it, or, don’t think about it much at all, there are ways to make business travel easier on you and your family.

Some things we do:

• If I’m going to be gone, I try to schedule my departure so that I can take the kids to school before I leave.

• Even if it means a late night, if the trip permits, I try to get home the earliest afternoon, or, evening possible. Being home for the morning routine on weekdays or weekends makes things so much easier.

• I try to do laundry and make at least a couple of evening meals before I leave, so that my husband has a few less things to worry about. I don’t know if anyone notices, but, it makes me feel better.

• The kids get to bake something special, and, make signs for my return home, and, we have a welcome home party This helps them understand when I’ll be returning, and, motivates them to get through homework, etc.

• I let the older kids know how we “really need their help” while I’m gone, and, give them special responsibilities they don’t usually have, such as making dinner, or, helping younger kids with homework. They are usually proud to have helped keep things going while I was gone.

Like I said, though, I don’t do it much. What do you do to make business travel easier on you and your family?

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