Edel Coffey: 'Teen-ternity leave', and striking the balance between work and parenting

"Figuring out how to be there for our children, whilst living in a world that generally requires any and all parents to work to keep a roof over their heads, is a hard balance to strike."

Picture: Bríd O'Donovan

Now that my youngest child is about to turn seven, I’m hearing a lot of the statement, ‘It’s great to get your independence back’. 

I’m also starting to frequently hear a seemingly opposing comment: ‘They actually need you even more when they get older.’