Overheard on the bus. One old lady to another: "You have five grandsons! How many do you really need?!"
Laugh? Cry?
Too much to do, and not enough time, so you guys are getting the short end of the stick.l Sorry about that.
Can we talk some more about business travel and leaving your kids? I haven't traveled in months, but have to go away for three nights next week. It's getting harder and harder to leave my 2 1/2-year-old. He gets more and more upset that I'm gone.
Here's what I'm doing already:
- Leaving in the morning instead of the night before, so that I can see the kids and have breakfast with them.
- Calling every morning so they hears me before they starts their day. Then calling again before they go to bed.
- Talking about where I'm going ahead of time and finding pictures on the internet so they can picture it in their minds.
What else do you have? I only have to go every few months, but it's beginning to really suck, even when the actual trip for me is fine.
Moxie, I'm so glad you posted this, as I am getting nervous for a research trip I have to make this spring, for, get this, 2-3 WEEKS! If I wait until June, I can bring my husband and son (he'll be 2 1/2) but I'll be 8 months pregnant. Otherwise I'll have to go earlier, by myself.
On my last trip, which was 5 days, we did the calendar with pictures and stickers, and since my son loves stickers and rarely gets them at home, he had fun with that. I also wrote him a letter about his day for him to open every morning. I called twice a day, once to talk to him, and once to check in with my husband. I think having the phone calls be regularly scheduled helps a lot, too. My son does not have much separation anxiety, and everything went fine.
That said, I am really concerned about being away for too long, and I feel like no technique can help at that length... I would love to hear more from people (other academics??) whose trips are measured in weeks, not days, and who have very small children.
Posted by: Emily | January 30, 2008 at 06:34 AM
My husband used to travel more, and we found that once *I* normalized it (that is, integrated his travel as a "normal" part of our life), the more the kids felt comfortable with his absense. Obviously that's easier with slighly older kids, but my kids were toddlers and preschoolers at the time, and it really worked out fine.
We did try to do some special things while he was gone, like have "kid" dinners sometimes (cereal, pancakes, etc.). We had fun sending him email. They always got kissed "from Daddy" every night. For the most part, the phone calls seemed more disruptive than helpful, though, especially when his cell phone was out of range and we'd end up leaving voicemail rather than actually talking with him.
Wishing you well...it's so hard to negotiate these transitions...
Posted by: Asha {Parent Hacks} | January 30, 2008 at 11:40 AM
I want to piggyback on the Skype suggestion...this is a great idea IF you can get it to work. Whenever we try to VideoSkype with grandparents and DS, it is a total Max Headroom effect. Any techies out there have good advice on the best way/equipment, etc. to webcam with? Or is that just how it looks for everyone...
Posted by: wamy | January 30, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Can you video chat? I bet the kids would love that.
Posted by: Nicole | January 31, 2008 at 12:29 AM
As others said, bring a small present back with you and perhaps have Laid Off Dad mark a special calendar with them after you've called to give them their goodnight kiss?
Posted by: liz | January 31, 2008 at 01:13 AM
Oooh! With e-mail and cell-phones you can send them a picture every day. Maybe what you're eating for dinner or something silly you saw?
Posted by: liz | January 31, 2008 at 01:14 AM
I know this is a post about have-to business travel but I have another dilemma. I'm going away (1 hour flight) this weekend for two nights to meet up with two friends (one mom, one not, no other kids on the trip) Originally I planned to take Boo with me and made arrangements accordingly and then changed my mind and thought he'd be less disrupted at home with Dad then trapsing around another city.
But now I just don't know. Is it better for him go with me (upside: he's with Mommy, lots of sights and entertainment.) or stay home and keep his routine and comforts?
Posted by: Mom in France | January 31, 2008 at 01:53 PM
It is necessary during the time of traveling with kid's.You post really nice tips for us.It helps us during traveling.
Posted by: resorts | May 16, 2011 at 02:03 AM
Very nice and helpful information has been given in this article. I must say that this is a very good post.x
Posted by: knockoff handbags | March 29, 2012 at 04:22 AM