Stephanie Mihalas, Ph.D., a licensed phycologist, explains that a parent must tell their child about upcoming business travel at just the right time. Choosing the right time frame, depending on age and temperament, will lessen the stress when the departure day comes.

For younger children who don’t particularly understand what dates mean – mark everything on a colorful children’s calendar. Also, share with them when you’re leaving and coming back. It might help to tell them what you’ll be doing on the trip. That creates a sense of knowing in the child and might put them at ease that their parent is leaving for a while.

It’s important to leave detailed instructions for your child’s daily routine when leaving for business travel. They don’t need another thing altering and causing stress. Make sure the home routine is the same as it always has been when you’re away for work.

Maybe you can leave a favorite sweater behind or even write cute little notes for your child to find when you’re off on business. That will keep your presence perfectly intact and keep the child comforted and happy when you’re not at home for a while.

Don’t make things harder on yourself and your child. Don’t feel guilty for having to leave and act anxious or sneak away when the day comes. Keep it casual. Tell your child you love them, kiss them, and walk out the door!

When you’re away, it doesn’t mean you can’t call home once, even twice, or three times a day if the schedule allows it. Call your child and tell them how the trip is going. It’s good for them to hear your voice and know you care about their day and how they’re doing!

When you’re traveling for business, you want to come home after the long trip and relax, and spend some quality time resting. However, your child has not seen you in a while. It’s important to spend time with them, do something fun, and sit to listen to how their days without you went!

Keep your business travel trips on the relaxed side for everyone involved, especially the children. Keep some things in mind that will lessen everyone’s stress and make the child feel just as loved, even if you have to be away for a few days!

The first time you see a manatee in real life, it’s always a wonder. These gentle giants don’t look like any other animal on the planet. Popularly known as sea cows, these beautiful creatures are always there to offer a close embrace to visitors of the natural warm springs of Crystal River in Florida.

Experience One of Florida’s Wonders

First discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, these curious creatures were originally thought to be mermaids. Yes, mermaids! It took a long time for them to be recognized as marine mammals, whose closest ancestor is another gentle giant — the elephant. Despite great habitat loss, today, manatees are protected by law in Florida and the entire United States, and their numbers are slowly beginning to increase.

If you want to swim with manatees, you have to make sure the timing is right. Every winter, they leave the food-packed Atlantic Ocean and its cold waters to warm up in the natural warm springs of Crystal River. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to Florida for a chance to experience a close encounter of the manatee kind, and you can, too.

Follow the Bubbles

The best time to spot manatees is early in the morning, pre-dawn almost. Look for the tell-tale bubbles rising to the surface — a sure sign manatees are nearby. Where do the bubbles come from, you might ask? Well, in addition to sleeping and eating, these curious creatures also spend their days farting. A lot. Ergo, the bubbles.

Remember to move slowly in the springs – so you don’t muddy the waters and scare the manatees away. And then, if you’re lucky, you can see them up close. Don’t be surprised if they approach you and even grab your hand with their fins. Some would even roll around and offer you their belly to stroke. It’s almost as if you’re petting a dog or a welcoming cat. Only it happens underwater.

Respect Their Needs

Manatees are naturally curious beings, but it doesn’t mean you should push their limits. Interactions generally happen on their terms, and that’s the correct order of things. While some are eager to interact with humans, others prefer to be left alone or simply decide to sleep underwater, only rising to the surface to breathe every 15 to 20 minutes.

If you go to Crystal River in Florida, make sure to get a guide who will show you all the necessary safety precautions as well as what to do while in the water with the manatees. Protecting yourself and their habitat is crucially important to preserve these beautiful wild animals and secure their future.