7 Rules: When Dad's on Business Travel
October 12, 2011, By Craig J. Heimbuch 2 comments
I travel for work five or six times a year. Not as much as some of my friends but more than others. I like business travel, but it comes with certain hassles. Or maybe not hassles, but circumstances at home that need to be considered.
Business travel is a team sport. When you leave, you are leaving your wife and kids behind. Your absence has consequences. Be inclusive, accountable and honest, and the whole process will be better for everyone. Keep these rules in mind the next time you head out to a conference, convention or sales meeting.
Rule #1 - Call When You Say You Will
I set up a time when I will call home every day. It's usually between the end of the day's meetings and dinner so that I can talk to my wife and kids in a single call. We set up a time based on my schedule and stick to it. Life goes on when you're gone. You can't expect your family to sit around and wait for you. Calling lets the kids hear from you, your wife check in with what's going on at home and you share any changes to your plans. Not only will your wife appreciate it, but your kids will look forward to it. Things come up. Schedules change. Meetings run long. There's nothing wrong with sending a text and letting your family know when you will be able to get in touch. Just make sure you follow through.
Rule #2 - Communicate Plans Ahead of Time
The last thing I do when I'm getting ready for a trip is to write down my flight itineraries, hotel numbers and meeting schedule for my wife. We go over it together, and I post it on the refrigerator. You never know when something is going to happen and your wife may need to get a hold of you. We also go over her schedule for the time I'll be gone so that I know when she'll be available and be able to check in on the kids' events—baseball games, school plays, etc...
Rule #3 - Don't Always Bring Gifts
When I first started traveling for work, I always felt the need to bring home gifts for the kids. It ended up getting expensive and most of the things I bought—trinkets from the airport or hotel—ended up in a closet after a few minutes of play. My wife and I agreed that it wasn't necessary for me to always come home with gifts (a bag of airline peanuts usually suffices), and I call before I buy the kids anything. It's not a matter of getting her approval; it's a matter of guilt. I want to come home from trips and prove to the kids that I was thinking about them. But the more I've traveled, the more I realize staying in touch goes a lot further than a cheap model airplane.
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