Whether you stay at home or go out to work, us mums inflict enough feelings of guilt on ourselves without being told that we are damaging our children by working.
But that’s exactly what a new report conducted by experts from University College Cork for the Department of Children says.
The results of the report, extracts of which have been published in the Irish Independent, suggests that a lack of quality time with their parents is having negative impacts on a child’s health, saying that working mums and dads do not have the time to get to know their kids.
But it shouldn't come down to a case of kids vs career - isn't there a way we can successfully have both?
Well, according to CEO of Osborne, Shona McManus, it IS possible for mums to have it all without it negatively affecting our kids or our careers.
"I myself am a single working mother and believe that we can have it all," explained Shona, who is a mum-of-two.
"It comes down to focusing on what is important, being efficient, having good childcare and having a stress outlet (for instance, I run). Then it is possible to be the best mum, best businesswoman and best work colleague you can be.
"I recommend offering flexibility to all of your team, not just working mums (or dads). Take a more rounded approach and offer flexibility where you can."
However, Sharon's comments come as a survey issued by Osborne found that childcare problems and children being sick have caused over half of women surveyed issues at work.
According to the survey of 926 working women from across Ireland, 42 percent say that although they try to juggle work and home, they often feel that either the quality of their work or the quality of their parenting has suffered.
Of those who were polled, 75 percent state that flexible hours and less expensive childcare would contribute to an easier work / life balance as, after completing a 40 hour week in the workplace, nearly half of working mums then take on sole responsibility for the workload at home.
Thankfully, more than half of working Irish women believe that men and women are treated equally, with 65 percent stating the pay gap between genders does not exist in their sector.
However, it's seems that, as women, we don't have each other's back as discrimination between working mums and other female colleagues is very real.
According to the survey, just under half of those without children believe their workload increased due to the strict timing schedules of working mums in their workplace. And, sadly, over a third find it unfair that working mothers take time off or have more flexibility.
