If you've ever felt guilty about going on a trip and leaving the kids behind,
there's an obvious alternative: Take them with you. Bringing kids along on
business trips is a steadily growing trend. The Travel Industry Association of
America estimates that the number of business trips made with children has
increased 19 percent over five years to more than 80 million in 2005.
For whatever reasons--you'd really like to take your child to Orlando, your
babysitter flaked at the last minute, you're a nursing mother, or you fear you'd
never see your kids otherwise--know that the travel industry has created special
products and services with you in mind.
Hotels often offer kids' menus and potties, stuffed animals in cribs, nannies
and on-site babysitters, bubble-gum scented bubble bath, milk and cookies at
tuck-in, and discounts on kid-related shops and attractions. Some hotels make
baby monitors available, not to check on an infant, but on your older kids in an
adjoining room. Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt have camps at many resort and city hotels
that keep children occupied during business hours. Other major chains with
extensive camp programs for the under-16 set include Holiday Inn, Wyndham and
Sonesta.
Instead of a camp format, other chains, including Four Seasons, Westin and
Intercontinental, have developed their own service and amenity packages. The
Kids for All Seasons program at the Four Seasons Regent Beverly Wilshire, for
example, gives younger guests their own toiletry kits and a pint-size plush
bathrobe. The Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago has a special 24-hour room service
menu with pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken noodle soup, hot dogs,
ice cream and brownies.
Airlines, too, are making more special accommodations for children than ever.
British Airways' Skyflyer activity packs on long-haul flights come in hip
drawstring bags with age-appropriate contents. The little ones get activity
books and toys; older kids get a magic trick and an electronic game. Other
airlines, like Air France, have built kids' areas in their lounges. Virgin
Atlantic offers kids' programming on the seat-back TV system with three
levels--preschool, five to 11 and teen--of content. Special kids' meals include
pizza and fish sticks.
Of course, bringing a child on a trip isn't always the smartest idea. The new
surroundings, strange food and an often-absent or distracted parent may cause
more anxiety than enrichment. And a child crying all night may wreak havoc on
your ability to function the next day. Still, experts believe the trend will
continue to grow.
Chekitan Dev, an associate professor of marketing and brand management at
Cornell, believes the stats are being stoked by a growing number of road
warriors who are middle-aged parents at the peak of their careers who have the
disposable income to bring the kids along. "Parents nowadays have more money and
less time," he explains. "They also have fewer children, and it's easier to
bring one or two kids rather than three or four. Parents also like the idea of
getting those neurons firing. It's the travel version of Baby Einstein," he says
with a laugh.
Some now-grown children of colleagues tell me that tagging along with mom or
dad at a trade show was more fun than an actual vacation. "Learning more about
what my mother did and getting to go on a real trip with her was a real
adventure," says PR consultant Caryn Levite Marshall, who, incidentally, ended
up following her mother's career path. "It made me feel grown up--and it
certainly beat being left at home."
What should you do to prepare for business travel with a child in tow?
- Talk with your children in advance about what they can expect,
especially if it's their first time accompanying you on a business trip.
Also discuss the behavior you expect from them.
- You may want to acclimate your child to life on the road by bringing
them with you to a convention before taking them on a full-blown business
trip. More and more convention planners are creating group programs for kids
the way they do for spouses and significant others. They'll have other kids
to play with and plenty of professional supervision while you're in
sessions.
- If you're bringing a young child, take a few favorite toys and a blankie
or stuffed animal. That'll comfort them in unfamiliar territory.
- Whether you're traveling by plane or train, allow enough time for
check-in, security and visits to the restroom before boarding.
- Always pack prescription medications, good things to eat, plenty of
wipes and a change of clothing in a carry-on bag. Many airlines have baby
food and diapers on board, but it's wise to have back-up, especially if a
flight delay disrupts food service.
- Bring a copy of your child's medical records and the pediatrician's
phone number in case of emergency.
- Have school-aged travelers read up on your destination before you go.
Encourage them to keep a trip diary.
- Make child care arrangements in advance. If you need references, call
your hotel's concierge for advice on day-care centers, bonded babysitters
and nannies, and companies that specialize in programs for teens and tweens.
- Keep a stash of $1 bills in reserve for tipping. You'll need all the
extra help you can get.