Saturday, January 26, 2008

Traveling parents are mobile by definition

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 :-).

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Friday, January 11, 2008

Amazon wishes they thought of this: Get two books

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.

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