Traveling Parent

Traveling Parent Connects with Lisa Frederiksen

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:58:00 +0000

Once a traveling parent, always a traveling parent. Lisa, a speaker, author and consultant specializing in issues related to alcohol abuse and alcoholism, shared some of her experiences even though her daughters are now grown and in college.

Having children out of the house doesn’t mean there is wisdom to share with those who are experiencing the challenge of being a business traveling parent now. For example, the idea of leaving a “good morning” message is timeless and helpful to parents traveling today. (I wish I had the discipline!)

How many nights a month are you away from the kids?

On average, it was 2-3 nights/trip/quarter, four to five times/year.

What is the one special routine you have to keep you connected with the kids while you're traveling?

Before I left, I'd talk about where I was going and what I would be doing (meetings/what kind/ the people who would be there). I also would draw a picture with a good morning message for each day I'd be gone (one for each of my two daughters). Their caregiver (father, grandmother or babysitter) would give them my written pictures/notes each morning. In the evening, I would call at the same time. That way, their days were anchored on each end by a contact they could count on from mom.

Describe your feelings about being a business traveling parent?

As long as I knew they were in good hands and their routines were staying the same, I was okay and often really enjoyed the first evening away - I'd order room service and watch a movie and enjoy the "freedom." I also loved my job, which helped.

What will your kids remember about their childhood with you as a business traveling parent?

The hotel freebies I'd bring home (haha). But seriously, I think they enjoyed the change of having someone else in charge. There was never a "please don't goooo...," which, of course, made it easier for me.

Thanks to Lisa to Lisa for sharing her experiences

Traveling Parent Connects with Paul Bennett, Co-Founder Context Travel

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:15:00 +0000

I have a confession.

When I first read Paul Bennett's responses to my question, I thought two things. Firstly, I thought the answers were not detailed enough and I want details! Secondly, I thought the tips weren’t particularly “unique” and I wanted new, never-been-shared before idea. I wanted a scoop!

Boy, was I being short-sighted because what quickly occurred to me is “why make it harder than it needs to be?” Being a business traveling parent can be hard enough and if your personal style and relationship with your kids is such that a phone call (or Skype video conference) makes the connection, then amen. What Paul shared with me is genuine, practical and without question, helpful.

But before unleashing that pragmatism, I also want to share this: Context Travel is something to know about. Another confession is that despite the fact that I travel to many amazing places, I don’t get to learn nearly enough about the cities I’m visiting. Context is all about providing what it describes as “scholar-led walks of the world's greatest cities”. I encourage a visit to the site and consideration of their services. Next visit to Istanbul, or anyplace the provide their services, I’m seriously thinking about it!

Enough with the confessions. Please enjoy Paul’s experiences as a business traveling parent.

How many nights a month are you away from the kids?

About 6 nights.

What is the one special routine you have to keep you connected with the kids while you're traveling?

We use video conferencing through skype. Also, whenever one of my daughters starts feeling funny about Daddy being away my wife just gives her a cell phone and she rings me, even the 2-year-old, which is fun.

Describe your feelings about being a business traveling parent?

I hate being away from my kids. I enjoy bringing them with me when I can, as I think it's a great experience for them.

What will your kids remember about their childhood with you as a business traveling parent?

Probably very little about the times when I'm gone by myself, hopefully a lot about the times that I bring them along.

Thanks , Paul, for the parenting and travel inspiration.

Traveling Parent Connects with Kevin Kennedy, Exec. VP, PCGCampbell

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:12:00 +0000

PCGCampbell is a marketing communications firm with one office in Detroit and another in Los Angeles.

The agency’s stated mission is “Connecting Clients with Customers”. Kevin’s role in public relations keeps him out in front of his clients and very occasionally, his client’s customers. As anybody in the agency business knows, if you want the great opportunities, travel comes with the territory.

I know this first hand since my first jobs were in the agency business. Based in New York, I had clients in Boston and Washington, DC. I didn’t have kids, and while I racked up serious miles, because of the shuttle service (Eastern Airlines, Pan Am, Trump...wow, that’s going waaay back), I didn’t spend many nights away.

Of course, not all business travel can be done in day trips. Kevin’s experience is certainly shared by millions and his approach is worth sharing as well.

How many nights a month are you away from the kids?

It varies depending on the time of year. It usually is 3-4 nights per month, but at certain times of year, it can be 7-8 or more. I've been gone 6 days in the last two weeks, so it all depends on client needs.

What is the one special routine you have to keep you connected with the kids while you're traveling?

I have started to try and take 1-2 photos of day for my son of where I am and what I may be doing. That may be as simple as a picture of my hotel room, to the view from my room, to a statue I see in a city, to a race car in the NASCAR garage. I also, when at a race track, will call at least once to let my son hear the race cars. I have found that it gives us something to talk about when we chat on the phone at night, that doesn't have to do with school or homework. My son has taken to having my wife send me photos of what they are doing, and he's starting to send me emails as well. I also have tried to take he and my wife on one special trip a year (when I am on business), so that he can experience something different.

Describe your feelings about being a business traveling parent?

I've traveled my entire career (was a sportswriter before this job), so the travel isn't anything new for me, and my son kind of grew up knowing that I would be gone for periods of time. It's a lot harder, however, to travel when there's a child involved versus before my son was born, and I think at times it's harder on him as he gets older. I hate to miss important things in his life, whether that be a cub scout meeting, or a soccer game, or whatever. That said, I've resorted many times to taking flights I normally wouldn't consider - like red-eyes - just to be home to take him to school, or spend a couple extra hours with him somewhere.

What will your kids remember about their childhood with you as a business traveling parent?

I hope my son will remember that even if I was gone, he was always on my mind and what he (and my wife) was doing back home was important to me. There has never, ever been a night where I didn't speak with him and my wife while traveling.

Traveling Parent Connects with Yvette Adams, Director, The Creative Collective

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:24:00 +0000

As I’ve written in past posts, the experiences of traveling parents are indeed universal. Yvette hails from Australia…Brisbane to be more precise. The Creative Collective, a firm she founded, doesn’t require an enormous amount of travel, but it does require some.

Ironically, it’s infrequent travel that can sometimes cause more issues at home. That’s because interruptions in “rituals and routines” are one of the causes of anxiety in children and if business travel is the routine (like it is in my home), then travel isn’t as potentially disruptive in the same was as infrequent travel might be.

Regardless of the frequency of trips, we all find our own rituals and routines to keep the connected to the kids left at home.

How many nights a month are you away from the kids?

Varies. Can be several nights towards the end of the year when there are award ceremonies inter-state and international to attend and I use the opportunity to network while in a certain location. Sometimes only 1 night a month.

What is the one special routine you have to keep you connected with the kids while you're traveling?

I ring every night to catch up on how their day was. If I can’t make the night call, certainly on the morning. I may well send them a postcard also or go shopping for something special to bring back to them.

Describe your feelings about being a business traveling parent?

It is always hard to leave them behind but I figure I’m a role model by following my dream and providing for them despite being away some times. I have amassed a great ‘support crew' in the form of a loving partner, helpful parents, family day care provider (an older woman who cares from her home) and others to help me get by.

What will your kids remember about their childhood with you as a business traveling parent?

I hope when they are a little older (they’re currently 2 and 5) and my financial position permits I can take them with me to learn about new places and they will certainly be memorable trips. I think at this age they will remember that I do always come home eventually (no matter how long the trip may seem in their space and time!) and the presents I bring back that no other kids in town have (I heart New York teeshirt, Russian dolls etc).

Thanks to Yvette for sharing.

Traveling Parent Connects with Julie Ann Schmidt – Managing Partner at Lithium Logistics Group

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Sat, 02 May 2009 14:31:00 +0000

I have a debt of gratitude to Julie Ann’s home base of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Before joining Coca-Cola, I worked for ING in Atlanta, which acquired ReliaStar, an insurance company based in Minneapolis. While I traveled pretty frequently before, ING really upped the travel requirement at the same time the family started to grow. It became part of the inspiration for the “Sometimes I Work in…” series I wrote.

Julie Ann is a Certified Meeting Planner, which requires extensive and extended travel. She also works from her home, which, as you’ll read in her responses, creates something of a “feast or famine” situation. By that I mean that when she’s not traveling, she’s at home which affords the benefit of “extra” time with her kids who are ages 4 and 6. But when she on the road, the trips are long.

How many nights a month are you away from the kids?

I think that I average about 10 nights a month over the course of the year.

What is the one special routine you have to keep you connected with the kids while you're traveling?

My daughter like me to take my picture bracelet (a six photo charm bracelet) that makes her feel good. Due to most of my trips being to places that are 12 hours off form my home time zone my kids have an email account and my husband and nanny will type what they say and we email. This also allows me to email them from my blackberry while I am in a meeting or with a client and it seems like I am taking care of work.

Describe your feelings about being a business traveling parent?

As long as it is not having a negative impact on my kids I enjoy the travel that I do for my job. It can make me more present while I am here. Since I have a home office as does my husband I have figured out that they see me more even with my travel than if I didn’t travel and went to an office everyday. We also have a nanny so they have three adults around every day so we I am gone they still have two great care givers.

What will your kids remember about their childhood with you as a business traveling parent?

Interesting question – I hope that they will remember learning about other place in the world from where mommy traveled to and that they think that they can do anything they set their mind to.

Just prior to finalizing this post, Julie Ann added that writting good, old fashioned post cards was something she tried to do. That struck me as interesting because it was the second or third time in the last week that somebody mentioned post cards as being a genuine and heartfelt method of communicating. It seems Julie Ann would agree.

Thanks to Julie Ann for sharing her experiences as a business traveling parent.

Amenity Kits Make Welcome "gifts"

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Who would have known that the little amenity kits offered in some business class cabins would be a minor sensation with the kids?

I brought home an intact kit from a recent trip to Istanbul and I nearly started a fight! It's pretty standard stuff among airlines, but the appeal to the kids got me thinking about creating a photo record of various kits and offering a mini-review. (The things we do!)

They didn't like the socks and mask, but they did like the toothpaste and toothbrush. Ear plugs were a mystery to the iPod Generation. The "fancy" case was a winner and turned a very likely 5 into an "average" 7.

Silly? Yes, without doubt. But believe it or not, it was helpful as a way to connect with the kids before and after the trip. Now we have a small little ritual that can help demystify the trip and even create a little excitement.

And, if we're lucky, maybe somebody in the Department of Travel Amenity Kits will read this post and start making these nice-to-have conveniences little treasures for the kids.

Traveling Parent connects with Carolyn Graham, Editor of L.A. Parent and a business traveling parent.

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:35:00 +0000

Soon after my first son was born, I noticed that no matter where I was, being a “business traveling parent” meant that I had at least one meaningful connection I could make with any other business traveling parent.

Our kids, jobs, and life experiences were different, but the stories we exchanged where reassuring because the emotions we have for our children are universal and instantly recognizable. We're at home, away from home, when we talk about our children.

Documenting those differences, similarities and emotions from business traveling parents across the globe is what this feature is about.

Thanks to Carolyn for sharing her experiences.

How many nights a month are you away from the kids?

For me, it greatly varies. I'll go months and months without traveling then will have to be away a couple of times in a month. As a parenting and family travel writer, I'm often lucky that I get to take my kids along.

What is the one special routine you have to keep you connected with the kids while you're traveling?

Naturally, I try to call, but that can be tough to hang to a set schedule. And my kids don't seem to really need that. My own routine is that I try to think about them as I fall asleep at night. And I love the homecoming part!

Describe your feelings about being a business traveling parent?

I love to travel, and while a do a whole lot less of it these days (due to deadlines and other obligations), I always saw it as an enrichment that I pass along to my kids, rather than seeing it as something that denies them my time. That might just be justification, but it works for me. And I think guilt sucks.

What will your kids remember about you as a business traveling parent?

Again, don't do it as much as I did when they were really little, but I think having a parent who loves to go places will infuse them with the same spirit.

About Carolyn, in her own words...

I'm the editor of L.A. Parent, a publication dedicated to providing resources for families in the Southland. I also write a blog called "I Don't Have Time for This" at LAParent.com. I live with my husband of 18 years, our two kiddos (8 and 4), and a loveable mutt named Olive (she often gives me more guilt about leaving than my kids do!). My first love is travel writing (I did that for 10 years before taking a full-time gig at LAP), so I do that as often as I can and bring my kids whenever possible!

Do you have a story to share? Please let us know by sending an email to stories@travelingparent.com.

A few insurance related tips for business traveling parents

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:25:00 +0000

A few years back, a bad storm blew through my neighborhood. It knocked out power (a summer breeze knocks out power around here) and took down a few trees. One of those trees fell on a the house of a friend who is also a business traveling parent.

Nobody was hurt. We were all home and able to quickly help get the kids out and secure the house from further damage. But that experience got me thinking about how to prepare in the event an "insurable event" occurred while I was traveling. I thought I'd look into this a bit, so I asked my agent and got a few good tips.

Don't assume your auto policy automatically extends to a rental car. In fact, if you travel internationally, very few companies offer "world-wide" coverage. The advice is to make sure all business travelers have a good handle on rental coverage. (I wish I knew that while renting a car in South Africa!)
Homeowner (or rental) policies are likely to cover personal property while traveling, but it's important to have things you travel with (fancy watch, wedding band, etc...) specifically scheduled. Otherwise, it may not be covered. Furthermore, hotels provide NO coverage. The advice is to wear what you bring or leave it at home. (This tip has me rethinking the second PC I sometimes travel with and the cameras, etc...)
If you leave a spare key with a neighbor, consider also leaving the contact information of your insurance agent. That way, if trouble hits while you're away, your neighbor can make a call so the agent can quickly get to work mitigating any further damage. (This is a GREAT idea.)

I thought these tips were helpful and I'm going to dig around for more. But many thanks to Shannon Price of Pritchard & Jerden for getting me started with these super tips. If there are any readers out there with tips of their own, please share.

When the primary "chef" at home is also a business traveling parent, what happens at meal time?

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:57:00 +0000

Short of fattening the kids up and hoping they last until you get home, any tips or hints for the "kitchen-challenged" spouses of business traveling parents? Do you prepare in advance? Take-out? Eat out?

I am the business traveling parent and not the one who prepares the meals. However, my wife has traveled on (rare) occasions. When she does, she makes a tremendous effort to either have food in the freezer or ready for easy preparation. It's a huge effort and I can't imagine that would be the routine if she traveled more frequently. I know I couldn't do all that, but maybe that's why Mother's Day is a bigger deal than Father's Day.

The best I can do is leave behind some extra money for take-out or dine out. (Wouldn't it be nice if companies allowed that as a business expense?) It's not very much and it usually ends up being used only if she's run out of time (the other emergency stash) or just needs a well deserved break.

I'd love to hear your tips. Maybe there's a new book in the works: "Cooking for Business Traveling Parents."

Emergency stash?

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:43:00 +0000

No...not that kind.

I just picked up a tip from a friend of mine from across the globe (Israel!). Like many of us, he tries to bring home a small gift from his travels. And also like many of us, he occasionally finds himself (for whatever reason) approaching the return trip home with no gifts. The solution? A secret store of emergency gifts.

"What I usually keep stashed are sure-win gifts, e.g. Thomas the Tank Engine accessories for my son and something girly for my daughter."

A universal solution to a universal situation!

Thanks, Assaf.

Four day weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:29:00 +0000

Nothing is less interesting to readers (or listeners) than the "funny" stories told about kids by parents. Sure, people are polite and they will listen, but on a blog post, the risk of instant abandonment is, well... high. So if I haven't lost you yet, here's my story and why I'm sharing.

This morning, the Friday before a 3 day weekend (MLK Day), I woke up my son with the motivating words "come on you, you can do it! Last time to wake up before a three day weekend!" Instantly he replied "if you let me sleep, it will be a four day weekend." True. So true.

I'm sharing because it's those types of spontaneous moments that we business traveling parents know we're missing. My story may or may not tickle you. But I know you have your own stories that you like to share. I am also know that you have stories about your child that you've heard from somebody else. (Insert group sigh here.)

I sure am interested in any traveling parent out there who has figured out a way to capture these moments.

Any ideas?

Flight delays make liars of us all.

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:36:00 +0000

Who among us hasn't been made a liar by bad flight delay information?

The best laid plans (not to mention credibility with the kids) become unraveled quickly when a 30 minute delay becomes 3 hours. The simple questions kids ask make a mockery of the system. "If the plane is there, why can't you leave?" "Why is the rain slowing your down? It's not raining here." Or the best of all: "If it's going to be so late, why don't you drive? It will be faster." Indeed.

Of course some delays are easy to understand and even reasonable. Dare I say, so easy and reasonable, a child could understand. However, some defy all logic. My favorite example is a delay getting home because the first flight out needed the tire on the front landing gear changed. If this was the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th flight of the day, I'd understand. But the first? Why couldn't it be fixed after that last flight of the day prior?!?

A post in today's New York Times sheds some light on the reasons behind the mess. What you learn won't get you home any sooner, but it may help preserve some credibility.

Facebook and business traveling parents.

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:41:00 +0000

The economy and the holidays combined to really slow down business travel over the last few weeks. With that downtime, I found myself connecting with folks on Facebook. It's no surprise that FB can be a real time-suck, so I thought I'd try to find some "productive" uses for the site related to business traveling parents. My hope is that my friends on Facebook who have kids and also travel for work will find this site and share some of their stories. I'm also hoping that the business traveling friends I've made via this blog will find me on Facebook.

As business traveling parents know, technology can help us keep connected with the kids. But we also know that when it comes right down to it, the reason we leave home is because there are somethings technology simply cannot replace.

Yet.

Business Traveling Parent Review: TripIt

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:20:00 +0000

My last post generated a tip about a free service called TripIt. I've signed up and used it for my last couple of trips.

The service is described this way by the website: "TripIt is a personal travel assistant that automatically organizes all your travel plans." I suppose that accurate enough and from a business traveling parent's perspective, that could be handy.

While making the immediate family (read "spouse") aware of where you're traveling is obvious, letting other people know is less obvious and maybe even a bit of a hassle. Who else might need to know? How about folks on the emergency contact list at your child's school? If you worry about these things, it might also be a good idea to inform godparents or grandparents.

Like other services like this, the value goes up along with the number of folks who use it (or I suppose "TripIt" is more accurate). Eventually, another possible value to business traveling parents is to get a head's up on when parent-friends from other towns are traveling.

Here's another plausible, but unlikely scenario: Suppose I were arriving in Philly or New York and one of my buddies happened to be landing in Atlanta? If we were all using TripIt, we'd know who's away from their family. A simple call to check in with the local family might be nice and reassuring. I'm pretty sure that if I were out of town a a friend visiting on business in Atlanta called home to simply say "hello" it would be well received.

These two scenarios are the once-in-a-million situations. And because they're so unlikely, they aren't routine. However, TripIt makes these (and all the routine stuff) pretty easy, so why not?

I'm happy to give it a more rigorous trial next year when travel picks back up.

Verizon's Global Phone is Not So Global

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:53:00 +0000

I've become spoiled.

As much as I travel, I frequently don't leave a hard copy of an itinerary at home. That's because finding me is a easy as calling or emailing on my Blackberry. (I do have my wife's email in my travel profile so an electronic copy of my itinerary is automatically sent home.)

This is my first trip out of the country since getting a Blackberry "Global Phone" from Verizon. I'm in Buenos Aries, Argentina and it turns out that Verizon Wireless has ZERO coverage. It seems they've rationalize no coverage in an entire country using the same logic they use to explain dead zones in the US. Apparently, it's OK to call the service "global" because as tin the US, there are someplaces you can't get service. But since they can say there's coverage in the US even when there isn't, the feel justified saying there's global coverage even what a country one-third the size of the US is dark.

I happen to know a bunch of good folks from Verizon and generally have no issues with the service. But my family depends on being able to find me on my Blackberry when I travel. And of course, collegues depend on it also. But after an hour trying to solve this, the plain fact is global isn't so global.

I can only be philosphical at this point and ask "what did we do before"? I've been traveling long enough to remember travel before instant access. But most of my travel as dad has been with ready access to a mobile phone that worked when I stepped off a plane.

So if anybody remembers what they did "in the old days",please leave a post. And I suppose there are a good number of people who travel today without the convenience of a blackberry or similar device. What do you all do? As I said, I'm spoiled.

Help!

Sticky infants?

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:11:00 +0000

Nothing stops the road warrior, right?

We know how to maneuver around all the barriers and get to where we're going when everybody is stopped in their tracks. Even having young kids at home (and all that entails) can't keep us off the road.

Well it turns out that maybe there's one thing can make mighty warrior stick around: A new born. Our recent poll indicated that over 80% of us stopped traveling for a full 3 months after the birth of a child. For everybody else, travel paused for a month.

I don't think I've gone 3 months without traveling someplace even right after the kids were born. (I'm in that group that waited a month...or at least I think I am!)

Turns out all that spitting up and messy mess is sticky in more ways than one.

Traveling Parents give less than two weeks notice

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:54:00 +0000

Despite the huge increases in the cost of air travel and opportunity to manage those costs by booking two weeks in advance, only 1 reader taking our poll was able to give their family more than two weeks notice about an upcoming business trip. Most readers could give 1-2 weeks notice with 40% giving less than 1 week.

I think this is pretty significant given the impact "sudden" changes in routines can have on younger kids. Not only that, but short notice adds stress to the spouse staying home because in impacts their ability to plan around your travel schedule. Things become more reactive than proactive. That could mean car pools, play dates, and other appointments fall apart, which amplifies that fact that your travel is interrupting routines.

All that carries a risk of creating a situation where nobody wins: stressed kids + stressed spouse = stressed business traveling parent!

What can be done about it? I suppose the general rules of talking the child and finding some way for them to become a part of the process (packing, checking weather, discussing their plans while you're gone, etc...) should help the kids cope. I'm not how that helps with spouse who is also left with interrupted routines.

Maybe with increases in airfares and cuts in the numbers of flights, all of us might be traveling a bit less. Or maybe we'll be forced to plan a bit further ahead in order to get the best fares.

Tips for the traveling parent

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:05:00 +0000

These tips were developed by Dr. Sherryl Goodman of Emory University. Dr. Goodman was the expert I consulted with to write my books. Each tip provides succinct, practical, actionable advice for before, during and after your business trip. Even the most seasoned business traveling parent will find something useful.

I've shared some of these tips one at a time or another, but I haven't shared all of them in one place before. Until now. Feel free to share this link or the actual pdf (be patient: it's a little heavy at about 1mb) which is posted at the Google discussion group called Business Traveling Parents.

As I mentioned in an earlier post announcing the discussion group, I hope readers will use either tool -- this blog or the group -- to share their experiences.

Survey Results: Most travel 2-3 nights

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:06:00 +0000

OK...it wasn't a scientific study, but the results of our recent poll showed that most of this blog's readers took busines trips that were 2 or 3 nights.

Oddly, that's not my experience. In my business travling experience, it's been either 1 night or 5+ nights. Unlike the survey participants, I don't recall taking many trips in the middle.

Another odd thing is that for my family, the short trips are more disruptive than the longer trips. I think I know why. With a longer trip, there is more planning and preparation, which means the kids are more aware of the fact that I'm leaving. The shorter trips get treated more casually and consequently, the kids are less aware. So when I finally announce I am not going to be home, it came across more abrupt to the kids. And that's not good for them.

Which creates an interesting topic for the next poll: How many days do you normally have between realizing you'll have to travel and actually leaving? Take the poll on the right and we'll compare notes.

Group Therapy for Business Traveling Parents

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:10:00 +0000

I've just created a Google Discussion Group to help expand the discussion of issues facing families with a business traveling parent.

While I've hoped this blog would seed a community, the truth is it's me talking to you. And since I'm no more credible than the next person on being a parent or a business traveler, I've finally gotten around to taking this next step of creating a group. Importantly, this new group discussion has the potential to be far more valuable to the person staying home with the kids. (For starters, I've posted some new great tips from Dr. Sherryl Goodman of Emory University to help make the site helpful right out of the blocks.)

Take a spin to the link above and tell what you think. If you think I'm right (right that I've opened the discussion more wider and right that it's more helpful to the person minding the kids), please spread the word to spouses or other caregivers who mind the kids while you travel.

Let's all help the children of business travelers benefit from the great experience we gathered as a group...experience as parents and business travelers!

Traveling parents are mobile by definition

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:06:00 +0000

Traveling parents are mobile in more ways than one: We are by definition on the move and we're also almost sure to be carrying a mobile phone.

Those two facts create another neat opportunity to stay connected to the kids while traveling. Did you know that many blogging sites (like Blogger) have tools that allow you to post to a blog from a mobile phone?

There's a good reason to blog from your phone instead of using it to call. We all make that promise to call home, but sometimes things come up that make that promise impossible to keep. That causes a big problem at home because it can add to the anxiety of disrupted routines and rituals. In a way, not calling is better than saying you will and then being unable.

So if you're not confident about being abe to connect via phone call, use your smart phone to connect via blog while you're waiting to take off, sitting in the back of a cab, or waiting for a meal. It's easy, fun and it may help the kids.

By the way, this post was created, sent, and posted from my phone, so please excuse any typos :-).

Amazon wishes they thought of this: Get two books

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:23:00 +0000

While talking to my friend David Vanderpoel about staying connected with the kids while traveling, David shared a great idea.

When he travels, he sometimes goes to the local library and checks out two copies of the same book: one to travel with and one to stay home with his family. I thought that was a great idea. (David has a lot of great ideas.)

As I learned while writting the books, for kids 4-8 years old "rituals and routines" are really important in establishing a sense of security. Unfortunately, business travel disrupts both. But that's the beauty of his idea. Reading the story, seeing the same pages, even the both hearing the sound of turning pages helps keep the experince connected. All that helps preserve an important ritual and routine.

Amazon if you're reading, think about a special offer for business traveling parents.

Wrap that bag

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:35:00 +0000

At OR Tambo (Johannesburg's airport), one in 5 bags will be opened AFTER you check them.

I don't have an offical source for that statistic, but a quick look around the airport confirms that travelers take the risk seriously.

I followed the advice I was given and wrapped my luggage in plastic (some call it "shrink wrapped", but it's really just a large sheet of plastic wrap like Saran). It took a only a few minutes and it cost R25 (less than $5.00).

If you don't wrap, at least remove valuables (including any gifts for the kids!) and carry them on board. If you do wrap, plan ahead because once the suitcase is wrapped up, it's going to be impossible to get anything in or out without starting the process again.

Gift ideas for business traveling parents to Johannesburg

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:58:00 +0000

Since I don't have a "Sometimes I Work in Johannesburg" book, I thought it would be helpful to share some of the things I brought home for the kids.

Everything in the list below was bought at the Rosebank African Craft Market.

Beaded headbands (Rosebank lots of brightly colored, hand made beaded crafts)
Tribal masks (small, hand carved)
Finger Piano (traditional African instrument)
Leather book marks of the "Big 5" (Lion, Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Leopard)
Cotton dress (this actual was made in Thailand, but it was nice!)

All these items are small and easy to pack and carry (key criteria for business traveling parents). They are also unique to the country and help to tell a story about the culture of the country. I'm not saying that you couldn't find these things someplace else, but more of the crafts in the Rosebank market were hand made and seemed "genuine".

If you've visited Jo'burg and have other ideas, please leave a comment. I'm sure other traveling parents will find it useful!

What was wrong with the drive to the office?

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Daly (Publisher, parent & business traveler)) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:58:00 +0000

Getting to work when you're traveling is usually a simple thing. Today, however, I found myself driving on the "wrong" side of the car, the "wrong" side of the road, and on the wrong roads to the office.

SA drives like the Brits: steering wheel on the right, on-coming traffic to your right. That was the first (and second) challenge. After that was the small issue of directions. Jo'burg is NOT a place you want to wander around. We had a map, but....

Eventually, we got to the office (only 5 mins behind schedule!) and lived to blog about it.

Why not take a taxi? Like many African cities, Johannesburg has a chaotic informal public transport system in the form of minibus "taxis". These are not taxis in the typical Western sense of the term – they won't give you a lift to your doorstep. Rather, they are small-scale bus services, often unmarked, operating with neither timetables nor formal stops. You can read more here.

There are taxis your hotel can call (I'm at the InterContinental Sandton Towers) that are more familiar to most travelers. But unlike many things in Jo'Burg, these taxis are relatively expensive. If you're here for a long time, you'll run up a big tab, which makes renting cheaper, and easier once you get the hang of it. (Tomorrow will be better!)

I guess the upside of today's commute is that if the kids ask "how do you get to work in Johannesburg?", the answer will be more adventurous than they expected.