Being Away From Home

WHEN I AM PREPARING for a trip, I am an absolute believer in either a written to-do list (I love using Post-It notes) or a master list on my mobile phone. It doesn’t matter what method you use, just don’t try to keep everything in your head—you will be apt to forget something, and then you’ll be stressed about trying to remember what you forgot. As a butler, I find that the most commonsense method is generally the most effective.

PLANT CARE

For the avid gardener, plant care is a serious concern. For short-term absences there are some great gadgets available, such as watering bulbs or globes for potted plants. For a garden, unless it’s drought-tolerant, you will need to have watering systems in place. If you have someone who is able to tend to your high-maintenance plants or garden in your absence, be sure to leave explicit instructions.

PET CARE

Prepare a plan for your stay-at-home pets well before your date of departure. A reliable pet-sitter or a willing friend or family member is the ideal solution. Before you leave, prepare a note for your pet-sitter that includes the contact information of your veterinarian and any special health issues or dietary needs your pet has. Boarding your pet is another option, but you will want to check references and inspect the facility to feel confident that Fido or Fluffy will be comfortable.

CHILD CARE

When I worked in private service, there were several occasions when my employers had to travel without their children. There was a great deal of separation anxiety, especially when the children were young, but they were fortunate to have doting grandparents who welcomed the chance to look after them. Here are some steps to make the separation as stress-free as possible for everyone involved:

• Put together a file with contact details for the children’s doctor (along with any pertinent medical information) and their school, and include other important phone numbers and addresses, possibly including a helpful neighbour who might step in in a pinch.

• Prepare a calendar with your travel dates so the children can keep tabs on your whereabouts. A map might be fun as well, if you have more than one destination.

• Prepare a calendar for the children with their own scheduled activities.

• Provide an outline of each child’s daily routine and habits, which also includes expectations and boundaries.

• Check in with the children regularly. It’s so much easier these days with all our electronic devices.

HOUSE-SITTERS

If you are going away for a particularly long period, consider a house-sitter: someone who can receive your mail, water your plants, mow the lawn and take care of other everyday household tasks. This could be a family member, friend or professional, live-in or live-out. Prepare detailed checklists and upkeep instructions, a list of emergency contacts and a list of your preferred service providers. If you are hiring someone, make sure to check references, do a criminal background check and have a written contract that protects both parties.

REDIRECTING MAIL

While doing research for this book, I came across the term “Poste Restante,” or, as it is more commonly known in North America, “General Delivery.” This is a service whereby you can have your mail redirected to the local post office branch at your travel destination almost anywhere in the world. This may be a good option to explore if you are planning to be away from home for a long period of time. Specific guidelines differ by country so it’s always best to check the official postal service websites. A good option for shorter trips is to have your mail held for you for a specific duration of time, and then delivered all together on your return. Again, check with your local postal service for options and rates for this service.

SETTING EXPECTATIONS AT WORK

I am a strong believer in unplugging yourself from the office when you are on vacation. A good work-life balance is important for everyone, but I know it is easier said than done! Whether you are away from the office on holiday, or travelling for work and needing some distance from day-to-day office distractions and demands, I have found two methods that work well for me:

1. Appoint someone in your office whom you trust to take charge of things in your absence. Give them the ability to make decisions on your behalf, and ask them to call you only when a crisis occurs.

2. If you need to be connected more than the above allows, minimize your work time by calling in once a day (usually the morning) and offering this as the opportunity to discuss any issues at hand. This allows you to call in at your own convenience. Once you’ve checked in, you are free for the rest of the day without having to think about the office!

When you are crafting your email out-of-office reply, write a meaningful message with politely worded, clear instructions for the recipient. Whenever I am travelling, I write a response that includes telephone numbers and email addresses of my staff, and whom to contact during my absence for different types of inquiries. The same goes for your voicemail message. This unambiguous approach will set accurate expectations about your availability and realistic response time.