Being an employee and a parent at the same time can prove to be an awkward mix.

It is no secret that the average 9-5, 5 day work week schedule is frequently incompatible with the demands of raising kids. Considering the fact that most parents need a job to be able to afford their children in the first place, balancing the two can become a potent source of stress. Family should come first, but a workplace is not always going to allow that.

There are ways for this burden to be made easier, the most important of these being good childcare and a flexible workplace with supportive colleagues who understand the need to prioritize parenting. These aren’t always easy to come by, and this can be frustrating for a parent when a situation arises where they need to be thinking more about their family than about what is happening at work.