Your post resonated with me and I feel the need to write! I've seen it happen with many colleagues and neighbors, particularly in the mornings when the baby is crying and the mother is getting into the elevator to go to work out of necessity rather than a hobby or time pass. I have seen mother's who are otherwise hardcore scarey professionals with moist eyes because their child is at home unwell and they are in the office for a meeting which gets delayed. I have also seen male colleagues getting irritable because their kid's school admission interview or school function is taking place and they cannot get time off.

There is lots of guilt involved and my usual suggestion (not advice) to them is to get their priorities right and know when to draw the line. Quality time is not only important for the child but also for the parent.