Can Business Trips & Family Mix? Yes! Here Are 4 Tips to Make It Doable! by Kandice Cole

I love that I get to travel for work. Sometimes I go by myself to get some quiet time. Other times, my husband and toddler daughter come along. Yes, you read that right. Bringing the family on a road trip can actually be a fun experience if you keep a few things in mind:

• It’s important to manage expectations. Give your family a heads up about your work schedule on the road. It's OK that you will be busy and focused on work. Everyone will be all right!

• Create special rituals for you and your kids. Find small pockets of time to do something special together. In New Orleans, I took my daughter to a local cafe to eat beignets. It only took about 30 minutes but it made all the difference for me and her. Keep it simple and enjoy the time you do have.

• Give yourself a little breathing room. Arrive a day earlier or stay a day later so that you can enjoy some extra time with your family.

• Ask hotel concierge to suggest activities for your family. Your family can still have a great time in a city even if you have to work.

Juggling travel, work and family can be difficult, but there are definitely ways to make the balancing act a bit easier.