Talk To Me: I've been told I can have it all, but I'm missing my baby's milestones while at work

Our children do not need us to be perfect, in fact, it is important for us to be simply ‘good enough’

Since Covid-19, we realise that work-life balance is a red herring and a more realistic aim is work-life harmony.

I had my first baby during the pandemic and returned to work after nine months of maternity leave. My daughter is now a year old and is in childcare five days a week. She seems happy when I pick her up at the end of the day, but I feel I’m missing out on her key milestones. I enjoy my job but feel wracked by guilt. I know women have been told they can have it all, but I’m worried my daughter is missing out.

You are in good company. US First Lady Jill Biden has also expressed feeling guilt as a working mother.