Ten Ways To Manage Business Trip Guilt

by Lynn Berger

If you travel for your job, you know what it's like to kiss your children good-bye knowing that you won't be there tonight to read them "Just one more story, please!" This month's article provides you with some easy to use tips that will help you get through this temporary separation guilt-free (well..., almost).

1. If time allows, prepare child(ren) for the trip ahead of time. Let them know the importance of the travel and that you will truly miss them.
   
   
2. If appropriate, show pictures and/or maps of where you will going. Use it as a geography lesson. Try to get your child(ren) involved as much as possible. Take a souvenir of your children with you and tell them you will need it to remind yourself of them. If age appropriate leave an itinerary with them.
   
   
3. Set up special treats for them when you will be gone. Let them know they will be having dinner and /or visiting grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Send postcards from the airport or airplane. For speedy delivery you may want to send them federal express or priority mail.
   
   
4. Let them choose beforehand what you will buy them when you are away. Perhaps, you may want to start building a collection for them of toys or gifts from specific regions.
   
   
5. Call often. You may also want to consider sending Email or fax. It has tremendous value to feel connected even when you are not physically close. It also allows messages and questions to be answered back and forth with relative ease.
   
   
6. Let child(ren) understand fully why you are taking the trip. They can pick up on your unresolved conflicts.
   
   
7. Plan your return with your child(ren). Try to arrive home on a weekend or with adequate time to enjoy one another before returning to work.
   
   
8. Take proper care of yourself when you are away so you can come home feeling energized, refreshed and prepared to be fully present with your child(ren) when you return.
   
   
9. Try to get them and yourself to embrace the trip; so much energy goes into resistance.
   
   
10. Remember absence makes the heart grow fonder. These tips can have a beneficial effect upon your relationship with your child because you will appreciate the time you spend together as a family and become grateful for that time together.