How do kids feel and what do they do differently when parents travel without them? Find out the stats, plus some tips from road warriors on easing the pain of separation, courtesy of Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
Why bother lugging the kids abroad on vacation? Statistics released by Sheraton Hotels & Resorts (from a poll conducted on AOL of 300 business travelers and 200 of their children) indicate several good reasons to include children in your travels. Not because of how foreign travel experience may enrich them, but because of what they may be doing while you're away! Almost half (45%) of the children polled stay up past their bedtime with parents abroad; 33% sleep in their parent's bed; 20% have friends over; 11% watch forbidden TV shows; and 10% jump on their beds.
How are children affected by parents' business travel?
41% of them are "sad" when their mom or dad leaves, half of all children surveyed miss the traveling parent "at night when they aren't home" and 22% miss the traveling parent "as soon as they leave."
How do these feelings affect their behavior?
17% sleep with a stuffed animal; 16% sleep with the lights on in their bedroom; 15% with the television on; and 11% with the radio on.
On a scarier note, how do teens react when their parents are out of town?
Well, 87% of teens enjoy their parents being away on a business trip (surprise, surprise). More than one in 10 (11%) are likely to have their girlfriend or boyfriend over, 7% break their curfew, and 4% have a wild party. (Let's face facts, this last figure may be a little skewed by teens interested in making sure their parents don't learn the truth from statisticians).
So if you still choose to travel without the kids in tow, don't forget to ask yourself, "I wonder what they could be doing right now?" And don't forget to follow these "Share the Trip Tips" made by frequent business travelers, provided courtesy of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts.
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