Sometimes I hear people talk about how both their parents worked and they were raised by others (daycare, family, etc.). That makes me so sad, because like so many other couples, we have no choice but for me to return to work after 12 weeks, and bring the baby to daycare. They'd be there 10 hours a day, but I want to make as much time as possible in the evening and on the weekends to just spend time with them. I'm looking for a daycare near where I work so I can go there on my lunch break and visit and nurse. Still, though, I worry that when they grow up, they'll say that we loved them, but that they were really raised by daycare and afterschool/summer camps, and wish that we had been able to give them more of our time.

For those with children, especially slightly older school-aged children with school activities and summers off, how do you strike a balance between full-time work and your children? Do you feel like you're the one raising your child? Do you struggle with the amount of time you're able to provide?