You are going on a long trip to Texas and you are looking forward to seeing the sights of the Lone Star State, eating some great food, and meeting a local or two. You want to share the experience with your family, but you are not sure how to work out the logistics of taking them with you. There are a few things you should consider before you buy everyone tickets.
1. Will you be able to put work first?
Although it may seem harsh, work should come first on a business trip. Your company is paying a lot of money to send you to Texas and they expect you to fulfill all of your duties when you are there.
If you are part of a transition team, the new office is depending on you to make sure that everything goes smoothly and that the new office runs as well as the other branches of your business. If you are training people, the future of their job performance depends upon you.
If you are traveling with young children you will need to have a co-parent who has time to take care of them or you will have to arrange for child care.
2. What will you do about school?
Recent times have forced children to attended school primarily on the internet. However, schools are reopening and it is important to consider where your children will go to school while you are in Texas.
If you contact the institution that your children attend, they should be able to tell you if it is feasible for your kids to continue attending school on the internet temporarily. If not you may have to homeschool them for a while or enroll them in school in the city you are visiting.
If you have older children who are involved in extracurricular activities, taking them away from those activities can do more harm than good. Things like club memberships and playing sports are not only important socially, they may affect your child’s ability to get admitted into a college or to apply for scholarships.
3. Where will you stay?
If you travel by yourself, your company may stick you in a tiny motel room somewhere. When you travel with your family, you will want to look for corporate housing that is big enough to accommodate everyone in your party.
there are several companies in the state of Texas that provide large apartments with all the amenities a family would need to be comfortable. Be sure to look for a place with good security that is in a safe neighborhood and that offers a concierge service.
4. Are there things for your kids to do when you are not there?
Does the community where you will stay have a pool for your kids to enjoy? Is there a mall with a movie theater for them to go to? You should make sure your kids will be able to enjoy the ordinary pleasures of life they had at home.
5. Will you have the time and money to enjoy local attractions?
If you are going to temporarily uproot your family so they can experience living in a different place, you will want to make sure you can actually experience it. Will you be able to get to a concert in Austin? Can you take a day to see the Space Center in Houston? If you don’t have time to see the sights, they may be better off at home.
If you find good accommodations and make time to enjoy group activities, traveling with your family can be an enriching experience that you will all remember for a lifetime.
