At least twice a day. Once in the morning and then he reads a book or two over the phone at night. If he can I just paly a recording of his voice reading a few stories and we look at the pictures together.

DS is 3. DH travels 1-2 times a year, for 1 week to 2 months. We talk almost daily and FaceTime with DS at dinner or breakfast. DS looks forward to it, but only sits and talks for 2 minutes.

Anonymous wrote:He calls them at a minimum once a day. Usually around bed time or when they get home from school. He has always done this. He travels domestically though.

I traveled to a foreign country with limited connectivity a few years ago and was unable to call more than once. I did manage multiple emails though. It was very very tough for my children.

Oh, our kids are 9 and 12 and he has always done this when he travels which is every couple of weeks. Yes, since you know he can swing it as you have been to the same conference, I would be unhappy with him not calling the kids. However, I remember when they were younger they weren't as good at talking on the phone. A quick "I love you" would suffice.

Also, I was miserable the week I couldn't talk to my children. It was painful. I was very busy, and in a dangerous situation, but still, it was very hard. I know my husband would be upset and feel lonely if he couldn't talk with them at least a couple times.

He calls them at a minimum once a day. Usually around bed time or when they get home from school. He has always done this. He travels domestically though.

I traveled to a foreign country with limited connectivity a few years ago and was unable to call more than once. I did manage multiple emails though. It was very very tough for my children.

We shoot for contact once a day, but usually manage once every three.

Honestly, my kid at that age didn't care one way or the other if he talked to the traveling parent.

And, no it is not the case that there's always a 15 minute period at some point. Work trips can be very busy and very stressful.

When kids were little, usually once a day, but sometimes every other day. Honestly though, I think the conversations are smoother when there's a bit of time in between. It can be hard to move into a phone relationship. I would get frustrated if the kids didn't talk, because I felt bad for DH, and it just felt compulsory for all.

Also, DH travels to Asia, so it's not always convenient timing, and I didn't want to make an issue of it. I also think calling in the morning works better for everyone, rather than at night. Now that the kids are older (7-10), I tell them they can call him anytime, and one of them just likes to leave him messages.

You might also consider having DH leave notes, record bedtime stories, or start other rituals. You'll find that kids move through different stages as they age re a parent's travel.

I think it can be hard being the "one left behind," but give your DH the benefit of the doubt. It's not all fun and games to travel, and one's schedule can be at the mercy of others. I told DH years ago, that for me, he needed to moan a bit about the travel, so that I could understand it was difficult for him too. You are going to have to find out what works for your family through trial and error. GL!

My DH travels 4-6 days a week and we Skype at least 1-3 times a day depending on his day. Our dd is 8 months and she loves to see dad! He even will Skype during her dinner and talk to her about what she is eating, etc.
She loves it and she has been doing this since she was 8 weeks old when he returned to work.

Typically once a day, though he might miss a couple.

I'll be traveling someplace where calls home will cost $4 a minute next week. I don't think I'll be calling home daily.

I think there should be some clarification points:

1. How old are the kids

2. How frequently does he/she travel.

Once a day.

Well she's not even 2 yet so she can't talk on the phone. But when she can, I think once a day is plenty.

Calls every night before or after dinner or before bed. If he can't talk because of dinner meetings and kids will be in bed he will text.

Minimum once a day, usually more.

DH has been away for a week, talked once with our oldest son (4 years old). A couple of nights he called to talk to me, but that was too late and the kids were sleeping. This seems unreasonable to me, but maybe I am projecting what I would do (and what I do) when away because of work... I have been to this conference, there are plenty of breaks that would fit a 10 or 15 mins talk. How usual is this? Would it bother you?