Any involved parent who also has a job quickly learns that juggling kids and work can be even more challenging than these two areas of life on their own. Simply figuring out the childcare arrangements and how to afford them can be a nightmare on its own, without even taking into consideration the guilt when you feel like you are neglecting one of the other duties because of the way that circumstances change.
For many, the only choice they have to make things work is to blur the boundaries between work and parenting, with one recent survey by the Pew Research Center suggesting 54% of working parents find it difficult to balance the two. Part-time and hybrid working options are common, or failing that, many have to make a choice about which thing they are going to prioritize.
While kids may be the obvious part of life to focus more attention on, it's not uncommon for parents to feel upset about not giving their job as much as they could. After all, most people can't afford to raise their children without a decent income coming in, and it's also important to have a life outside of your kids. The traditional working model just isn't something that takes into consideration a person who wants to spend a decent amount of time with their children. Although many workplaces have seen some advancement in this area, it is still well behind where it should be.