When we think of travel, we typically think of far-away gorgeous places and longed-for relaxation. A cocktail? A beach? A historic cobblestone street? Really, the world is your oyster.
But when your travel necessitates being away from your kids — regardless of whether it’s for work or pleasure — it becomes significantly more complicated. How do you make sure your babies know you’re thinking about them? How do you know important tasks like homework don’t fall by the wayside while you’re gone?
The good news is that we’ve got all kinds of tools at our disposal. From good ol’ snail mail to kid-friendly apps, staying in touch when you’re away is more about knowing how to use what you’ve got than it is about struggling to find solutions. Here are the easiest ways to be the great parent you are while you travel.
This post is sponsored by Messenger Kids.
Check In on Homework
If your time — and time zones — allow for it, still make the effort to participate in your child’s homework routine. Sasha Brown-Worsham, a mom of three in London, has a husband who travels a lot for work. "He uses video chat to stay on top of the kids’ homework," she says.
Send Regular Love Notes
“I leave messages for my kids either with my husband or with the sitter,” says Rebecca, a mom of three in Augusta, Georgia. Then kids can reply digitally in their own time. If you're worried about online security and parental controls, kid-safe messaging apps like Messenger Kids keep you in control and allow you to send “I love you” messages, photos and check-ins no matter where you are.
Commit to a Phone Date
Ashley, a mom of one in New York, says she and her partner have a standing 7:30 am video chat date with their 15-month-old, no matter where they are or what time it is. “Having this standing date and commitment has really helped us stay connected and focus on family and consistency,” she says. “It isn't always easy, but it's so worth it!”
For Extended Trips, Try Snail Mail
Remember how exciting it was to get mail as a kid? That’s still true. When you’re away on business for more than a week or two at a time, a postcard home is a way to make your kids feel extra special. And if you beat your postcard home, oh well — you’ll just get to share the memory together.
Record Audio or Video of Their Favorite Bedtime Story
If bedtime stories are already part of your routine and the time difference or your schedule will make it hard for you to maintain that, try recording video or audio of your kids' favorite stories for them to listen to while you’re away.
Have a Countdown
For young kids, even the shortest trips can feel like an eternity. Help them understand exactly when you'll be coming back by setting up a daily countdown. It can be as simple as a few sticky notes stacked on top of each other (just write the number of days you're gone in descending order) or as elaborate as your craftiness allows.
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