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

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.

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

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.

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