| Our jobs have become more demanding as a result | | | | Take a friend - especially if you have young children, |
| of highly competitive work environments and greater | | | | you'll want to make sure a responsible and reliable |
| expectations. And with smart phones and digital | | | | adult is along for the trip. Make sure it's someone you |
| technology, we're never more than a WiFi connection | | | | trust and who has a good rapport with your kids. |
| or text message away from our work, even during | | | | Look for family accommodation - business hotels may |
| those important moments when we want to spend | | | | not always be the best accommodation option for |
| quality time with our families. | | | | your family trip. Instead of staying at the conference |
| A rising trend that many working parents are | | | | hotel, look for a nearby serviced apartment or other |
| experimenting with is combining business and family | | | | family accommodation. It'll give your family more |
| trips. There are many obvious advantages to this idea | | | | privacy and take you physically outside of your work. |
| - you'll be able spend more time with your children and | | | | Book adjoining rooms - alternatively, some hotels let |
| at least some of the costs (ie your travel to and from | | | | you book adjoining rooms so you can have your own |
| your destination) will be subsidised by your work. | | | | room and reserve one for the family when they arrive |
| The key to having a fun and productive business and | | | | for the weekend. Certain hotel operators, such as the |
| family trip is to try and plan well ahead. Alternatively, if | | | | Swissotel in Sydney, arrange special ";Kids Rooms"; for |
| your business trip scheduled unexpectedly, you can | | | | children with games, activities and toys to occupy kids |
| look into last minute hotel deals to extend your trip into | | | | while you're just next door. |
| a long weekend. Here are some other tips to bear in | | | | Plan out your activities - plan your days well in |
| mind: | | | | advance and set realistic expectations. Arrange |
| Define work time and family time - you don't want | | | | specific activities for your family so you have the |
| your kids distracting you while you're trying to work | | | | option of meeting them there if you're running late. |
| and you don't want work distracting you when you're | | | | Striking that perfect balance between work and life |
| spending time with your kids! Set clear boundaries and | | | | can be challenging - but with a bit of detailed planning |
| rules between the two and make sure you and your | | | | and a strong commitment to both, there's no reason |
| family stick with them. | | | | you can't bring a little bit of family into your work life! |