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.
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.
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.
