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Married business people often need to juggle their family and business obligations, especially if traveling is an integral part of their business duties. Most parents are endlessly searching for new ideas and free things to do with the kids.
It’s not easy for business people to make up to their families for the time they spend in the office or on business travels.
If you belong to this group of people, you probably feel that you should be more with your family. So, you can take your family with you on some of your business trips to make up for the lost time.
Kids would be happy to travel with you and your partner from time to time.
Since nobody wants such trips to turn into chaos, we’re sharing some handy tips to stay organized while traveling.
- Book the accommodation beforehand
Many traveling people have a special tactic in scoring affordable trips. They wait until the last minute to spot an offer with a significant discount. If such an offer doesn’t come up, they eventually book what’s left.
While this might be a reasonable strategy for businesspeople traveling on their own, it’s a bad choice for trips with children.
Since companies usually distribute traveling orders to their workers some time ahead, book your accommodation as soon as you get the traveling assignment.
If possible, include your kids in the hotel-booking process. You may search for the best places to stay in your destination city or country.
Also, calculate the additional expenses. While your company will cover your traveling and accommodation, you’ll probably have to pay an additional sum for your family’s accommodation.
So, make the calculation in advance, put that money aside, and book your hotel room or apartment on time.
- Avoid last-minute packing
A lack of organization is the main reason why so many families feel stressed during their vacations and trips.
One of the most common mistakes that people do is to leave packing for the last two days before the trip. The higher the number of people that are going to travel together, the stronger the tension will be.
That’s why it would be good to start preparing for the trip at least one week beforehand. This will leave each family member enough time to choose what they’re going to take with them on that trip. Also, you’ll have several days to buy some additional things.
So, make a list for the family trip in question and start packing on time, without any stress or tension.
- Walk instead of using the metro
If you want to properly get to know the place you’re visiting, walking is a much better option than using the metro and public transport.
Apart from being healthier, sightseeing will give you a different perspective of the town in question. You’ll see more local stores, restaurants, cafes, and cultural institutions.
Of course, when you want to visit an important landmark in another part of the city, you should use the means of public transport.
Another handy tip: whenever possible, choose a location close to the city center. Dragging your kids to the metro or city buses will be tiring for both you and them. Accommodations in central areas cost a bit more, but you’d spend that money on bus or metro tickets, plus, you’d enjoy less.
So, choose a central location and enjoy your family stays during the business trip to the full. s
- Organize your children’s activities
Before they reach their teenage years, kids generally like to spend time with their parents. However, if you don’t make a schedule of activities for the entire family, kids could quickly get bored. And bored children on a business trip aren’t a recipe for a relaxing vacation.
Sometimes you might need to stay somewhere for several weeks, or even months for business. Some businesspeople decide to take their families on such longer trips, as well.
In that case, it would be wise to find someone to teach your kids for a few hours a day. For instance, you can hire a person to teach your kid in London if you need to stay in the capital of Great Britain for a while. No matter if it’s London or any other global business center, it’s not uncommon for managers to stay in such business hubs for several months to arrange business deals. During that time, your kids can learn something new while you’re handling business things, and your partner can spend some quality time on their own or do their work.
- Find some couple time
Last, but not least, trips that mix business obligations and family joys should not completely revolve around children. Sure, they’re always the center of our thoughts and actions, but trips and vacations are a rare chance to take some time off.
No matter if you’re spending several weeks with your family away for business or it’s a short weekend trip, find some couple time.
You and your partner can go for a coffee or visit a museum while your kids are in the hotel playroom, or in their lessons. Such moments are beneficial for the entire family; while kids are having fun, parents can spend some quality time together and make some new memories.
Also, when kids fall asleep in the hotel or the apartment, you can order room service, have dinner together, and plan what you’re going to do the following day. Make a schedule that will range from the time you get up to bedtime, including meals and places you’re going to visit.
A combination of a business and family trip is a practical way of spending some time together while handling your business obligation. Depending on the age of your kids, perhaps both you and your partner can work during such a trip. Of course, there should be a balance between work and leisure family time, otherwise a business-family trip is pointless.
Intcase of longer stays in some cities, you can let your kids learn the local language or attend some activities in the hotel, as well.
And if you manage to spend some quality time with your partner, it will be an inspiring trip for the entire family.
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AuthorBio: Anne Harris is an HR specialist working for londongoverness.com. She recruits nannies, governesses and other childcare professionals, ensuring top-notch services for parents worldwide. In her free time she likes reading about education, and children’s welfare, as well as visiting sports events.
