Bret Michaels, who has two daughters with partner Kristi Gibson, concedes he struggles in balancing his career with family life. The Poison rocker elucidated to Parade magazine why he is publicizing his personal life in his upcoming VH1 reality series Life as I Know It.

"Fans have asked for years to get a glimpse into my life, of what I do outside the craziness of Rock of Love or just being on the road," he said. "And I think they're really going to enjoy it because the show is all about my daily existence of finding balance in my life. I absolutely love my family. I'm a very hands-on father. I'm close with my kids and we have fun together," he said.

"Kristi and I love and respect each other. But in the same sentence, I also love what I do. I love being on the road and I'm passionate and I don't' think there's anything wrong with that. The trouble is finding the balance of making both work."

"The moment we say goodbye, if they're not coming out on the road with me, is tough," Mr Michaels added.

"It shouldn't be easy, because if it were easy, then we probably wouldn't love each other so much. So what makes it real is that it is tough."

"I sit down and I explain that I'm going away and that I'll be back. We look at the schedule and plan it out. And then they ask me how many gifts I'm going to bring them. That's always important! Daughters are good - they key it up right on cue and I'm a sucker and I give them whatever gifts necessary."