Working parents sometimes worry that they're letting down their kids by spending too much time at the office. Once your children are old enough to understand, address this concern head-on by having open, honest conversations. Talk frankly with them about the pressures you feel and what you truly want. Don't blame your company for the times when you can't be flexible or you're stressed at home; the last thing you want is to teach your children to despise the idea of work. Instead, model by example. Help your children understand that the time you spend away from them is one way you contribute to the family. Talk about your passion for your work and the skills you've developed to excel professionally. And if you're going through an especially busy time, explain to your children that you want to put them first and that when you can't, it's hard on you, too. Feeling sad together creates connection, which will help them learn that your occasional absence is not a reflection of your love for them.
Adapted from "4 Conversations Every Overwhelmed Working Parent Should Have," by Joseph Grenny and Brittney Maxfield
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