Tips for Traveling Parents

Love this photo of my girls taken this summer in Carlsbad, CA.

I've been out of town, away from my kids and husband for nearly two weeks working.  I'm shooting all the in room videos for the Excalibur Hotel in Vegas.  My girls have been hanging with all of their wonderful Grandmas, Great Grandma Gigi, Aunties and their Daddy.  Now I really understand what everyone says about it taking a village to raise kids.  Fortunately, my village gives me peace of mind that my girls are safe, protected and loved.

Whether you're leaving town for work or a fun romantic getaway, I thought I'd put together a list of tips for traveling parents because we all know that leaving your kids can cause a lot of heartache.

Create a Book - Now if you really want to go big, then put together a shutterfly book with photos and a story about where you're going.  I entitled my book, Mommy Always Comes Back.  Start from the beginning with a photo of you waving good bye.  If you live in Los Angeles or New York near a scribble press then you can create a book together which is always fun.  The easiest and cheapest way to create a book if you're not up for a big project is folding some construction paper in half, stapling the middle and creating a hand made book.  Just take out the markers and photos and get to work.

Gift Bags for Every Day You're Away - When traveling I always prepare small gift bags for my girls.  I write a little note for each day I'm gone and stuff the bag.  When I say "stuff", I really just put one little thing in the bag per day.  I love the dollar bins at Target.  I'll put either a chapstick, a new fun pencil, nail art, a book or any other little fun trinket.  The options are limitless!

Stick Notes in Fun Places - Hide note cards in their lunch box, underwear drawer or by the toothbrush for a fun little surprise.

Don't Call Too Much - I know this sounds difficult, but I've found that it's really tough for my kids when they're having fun and I call.  It makes sense, when you miss someone you don't want to be reminded 20 times a day that the person you love is not around.  Now that I've put it that way, hopefully you'll restrain yourself from picking up the phone every free minute you get.  Rather than calling, I'll look at home videos on my Iphone or check out fun photos of my family.  Believe me, traveling is often times harder for us parents than it is for our kids.

Book Recommendations - Now remember, I have a 5 and a 2 year old.  So my recommendations skew a little young.  If you have older kids that are having a hard time, talk to their teachers for some ideas.  Okay now that's out of the way, I love, love the book The Invisible String, by Patrice Karst.  My mother in law called the other day to tell me the girls were talking about mommy's invisible string to their heart.  Other favorites are The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdey.  My friend also just created Trueberry Books, a site where you can personalize children's books which is fun idea.  Oh, and I can't forget about an oldie but goodie.  I love all the Berenstain Bears books.  They always have a great message and remind me of my own childhood.

Send out Videos - Ever since I caved and gave up my blackberry for an Iphone, I've been so happy.  I record videos of my girls and take photos of them all the time with my phone. Plus, when I'm traveling I'll record my own videos for them.  It warms my heart because I know they'll see me that day.

Do you have any tips for traveling parents?  If so, don't forget to email me.