5 Tips for Business Trips With Your Family

Hey there fellow corporate dads! Let’s chat about something that might hit close to home for some of us with jobs that involve travelling.

I know that running a business or keeping up with career demands while also being present for your kids can feel impossible.

But what if I told you there’s a way to make it work without losing your sanity or missing out on precious family moments?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how we can turn those business trips into opportunities to bond with our families, and I think I've found a solution that works for all of us!

Imagine this, instead of waving goodbye at the airport, you’re packing snacks and toys, preparing for an adventure that mixes work and play.

Sure, it’s not exactly a vacation, business trips come with their own set of challenges but trust me, it’s doable.

Of course, pulling this off takes some planning and maybe a little bit of patience but isn’t that what parenting is all about anyway?

1: Remember first that, for you, this isn’t a vacation it’s a business trip

If you’re bringing your family along on a business trip, it’s important to keep one thing crystal clear: This isn’t a vacation for you!

Sure, your partner and kids might be living their best lives exploring a new city, but let’s not forget why you’re really there. You’ve got work to do, my friend.

Now, I know how tempting it can be to get caught up in the excitement of having your loved ones around, but don’t let that distract you. Productivity and family time don’t exactly go hand in hand unless you’re somehow blessed with superhuman multitasking abilities.

At the end of the day, your company sent you on this trip because they trust you to deliver results not because they thought it’d be nice for you to take a little holiday.

So set those expectations early, both for yourself and your family. Let them enjoy the trip on their own while you tackle yours.

2: Taking your family along for trips does benefit them

Think about it, every new city, and every country you visit, is like opening a door to a whole new world of learning and adventure for your kids.

They’re tasting new foods, hearing different languages, and walking through museums. These aren’t just vacations they’re experiences that stick.

Take my own family, for example. My partner loves sharing our travels with their Instagram community and snapping moments. And my daughter? She's right there, living it up cheering at a ballgame, staring wide-eyed at dinosaur skeletons in some museum.

Now, of course, they also know this isn’t all play. I’ve got work to do. But the key? We set those expectations early. We talk about it. A little bit of communication goes a long way when you’re mixing business with family adventure.

3: Accept that you won’t be able to focus as hard on work as you normally would

The main challenge of travelling with your family might be the sacrifices you need to make in your work. No matter how great you are at your job and at being productive, when you’re with your family, you simply won’t be able to focus as hard on your work.

For one thing, if your children are travelling around a new city alone, ordering Ubers and navigating public transit, you’ll be worried about them.

The thought of their safety will occupy a spot in your mind. Other small emergencies will also pop up and that’s OK. You just need to be prepared.

4: Traveling with your family is pricey

One common misnomer about taking your family with you on business trips is that it’s an opportunity to finagle a vacation on the cheap. It’s not.

Your company likely won’t ever cover your family’s costs, so any activities, meals, or experiences you want to provide for your family will have to come out of your pocket.

This is also typically true of their airfare and hotel accommodations. And if you want to purchase souvenirs while you’re out and about, you’ll need to pay for that, too.

The best way to account for this is simply to budget just as you would for any other trip or big expense.

5: It’ll sometimes mean you have to overdeliver

Let’s wrap this up with a little reality check, shall we? Not everyone back at the office might “get” why you’ve brought your family along on a business trip.

Their reaction isn’t totally out of nowhere. Think about it if the roles were reversed, would you immediately assume someone was grinding harder than ever while also managing family time in a new city? Probably not.

It’s human nature to assume the easier version of the story. So instead of getting defensive, it helps to recognize where they’re coming from and then keep showing up, and doing the work.

I’ll admit this thought has crossed my mind more than once. When I’m travelling with my partner and kids, part of me wonders what my colleagues are thinking.

Are they questioning whether I’m fully focused? Honestly, instead of letting it stress me out, I use it as motivation to go above and beyond.

How do I do that? Simple: I overdeliver. If anything, I work harder when my family is with me because I want to prove not just to others but to myself that I can handle both worlds.

I prep for meetings like my life depends on it, and make sure whatever I produce is top-notch.

It’s not about proving people wrong; it’s about proving to myself that I can balance it all.

TL;DR

Bringing your family on business trips can be a win-win for work and family time, but it’s not without challenges. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Remember: it’s a business trip for you, not a vacation.
• Your family benefits from new experiences and quality time with you.
• Expect to focus less on work, and be ready for distractions.
• Travelling with family isn’t cheap budget accordingly.
• Overdeliver at work to counter any assumptions that you’re slacking off.

Austin's Thoughts

Bringing your family along on business trips isn’t for everyone, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, it can be such a rewarding experience for both you and your loved ones.

Watching my kids marvel at something as simple as a street performer or seeing my partner's eyes light up while exploring a new city reminds me why we do all of this in the first place. Family comes first, always.

You’ve got to be intentional. You’ve got to set boundaries, not just with your family, but with yourself, and with your coworkers too.

What matters is finding a rhythm that works for you.

For me, that means leaning into flexibility. If my kid needs me during a break between meetings, I show up. But when it’s time to get down to business, I’m laser-focused.

If you’re considering this route, my best advice is to go in with clear intentions. Communicate openly with your family and your team, and don’t forget about the budget for those extra expenses.

Most importantly, remember that you’re doing this because you value your family and want to create memories together.

Oh, and if you’re looking for more tips on balancing family life, parenting, and even social media, come hang out with me over at austinplease.com.

It’s my little corner of the internet where I share stories, advice, and maybe a dad joke or two. We’re all in this together, so let’s keep the conversation going.

Cheers.

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