This is NPR's life kit. I'm Diana O'Pong.

Being a working parent can be, well, let's be honest, really hard.

I've got three kids and I'm working over 20 hours a week in one job,

and I'm spending almost as many hours doing side projects to help grow my career.

Oh, and did I mention that I have three school-age kids?

You know, sometimes it just feels like there isn't enough time in the day to get it all done and done well.

I've spoken to parents in all different fields and family structures and phases of parenting,

doing different kinds of jobs.

That's Daisy Dowling. She's an executive coach and leading expert on working parenthood,

and she's also the author of Work Parent, the complete guide to succeeding on the job,

staying true to yourself, and raising happy kids.

So many of them report to me being on what I call the toxic treadmill,

which is that feeling of having an endless to-do list and running as hard as you can to get through it all,

but being on a treadmill where there's not that big red stop button,

and no matter how far or how fast, how hard you run,

always feeling like you're not progressing or moving forward.

It's not a secret. We all want to find balance in life.

And as a working parent myself, I know the uphill struggle that is trying to build a career

while being an intentional and present parent.

Whether you're a working parent like me, you're planning to start a family,

or already expecting, or thinking about returning to work now that your kids are school age,

this episode of LifeKit is for you.

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