Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your work requires that you travel. Don't be too hard on yourself or on them when you find it difficult. Here are some tips you may find helpful:
1. Communicate with your family regularly about your travel schedule. If possible, post your itinerary in a prominent place, such as the refrigerator.
2. If your spouse also travels, exchange itineraries. Create a method for a daily "check-in."
3. Whenever possible, establish a regular "check-in" time with the family so they can expect your call. Encourage every family member to have a file folder and/or checklist for "things to discuss" when you call.
4. If you have small children, send a postcard from the airport when you depart so it will arrive the day after you leave.
5. If you use a computer, and have one at home, send a daily e-mail message to the family, or a more personal message to each member of the family.
6. Let your child know you think education is important by participating. For example:
? If you like to give presentations, offer to speak to your child's class on a topic related to your work or interests that might interest him
? Send a postcard to your child's class at school. The teacher may appreciate the opportunity for a geography lesson.
7. Create a checklist to prepare for travel. Keep photocopies near where you store your suitcase, so you can use one each time you pack.
8. Ask your children to give you a photo you can carry with you ? it will remind you of why you are working so hard! Be sure to leave one for them.
9. Streamline housekeeping, yard maintenance, housekeeping, and shopping. Consider using outside services for some routine tasks, so you'll have more family time when you are home.
10. Have a discussion with your children about your travel.
? Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.productiveenvironment.com
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More
Recently, in an online group, we talked about "balance" and... Read More
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
Digging out from under stacks of paper might seem like... Read More
Has your polished mahogany (or modular plastic) desk been buried... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More
1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
Cindy looks at the calendar and sighs. Ah, the end... Read More
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
After a long winter, this is the time of year... Read More
Getting organized is hard. If it weren't, we wouldn't put... Read More
To make room for new things to come into you... Read More
You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More
EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
Keeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
Does Your Present Internet Filing System Work?Do You Really Know... Read More
Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More
3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 -... Read More
The Productive Environment Scorecard?Read the statements below and rate your... Read More
Getting organized is hard. If it weren't, we wouldn't put... Read More
There is nothing worse then spending ten minutes looking for... Read More
Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down... Read More
Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More
1. A calendar is an essential organizing tool ? start... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More
I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More
Winter is starting to retreat, and hints of Spring are... Read More
From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
(This is the second in a series of three articles... Read More
At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More
Hasn't time flown? Already we're into the last quarter of... Read More
'A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
Much of my time as a Professional Organizer is spent... Read More
EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More
Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |