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The Careerologist: Compartmentalising work and family

It is impossible to be the perfect partner, parent, employee, boss and friend all at once

The Careerologist: Compartmentalising work and family
Photo: Bill Brown

I feel guilty when I arrive late at work or leave early for childcare reasons. My kids and partner also complain that I don’t spend enough time with them. I can’t ever get it right. Any tips?

You cannot ever get it right because no one does. It is impossible to be the perfect father/mother, husband/wife, employee, boss and friend all at once — at every stage we are going to be messing up at least one of them. And that is ok. It may help if you start thinking about where your guilt is coming from.

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