Recent surveys by The Family Care Company attracted widespread coverage in the media when it revealed, perhaps unsurprisingly, that 94 per cent of working mothers felt that having children impacted upon their career.

The Working Mothers' Report also found that 52 per cent of working Mums found it easier to blame a faulty alarm clock or heavy traffic than admitting that childcare problems had made them late. The pressures placed upon working mothers who have to balance their careers and home life are heavier than ever despite pledges by the Government to make the juggling easier for parents.

The fact that over half of the mothers who were surveyed would rather blame a faulty alarm clock or bad traffic than admit to having childcare problems highlights the need to seem ‛in control' of the provisions for their child's care when they are at work or away from their children for any reason. This is a pressure all in itself that simply adds to the stress when you are trying to sort out last minute childcare. There should be little need for women to feel more comfortable blaming other problems than childcare for fear of impact n their careers or lack of sympathy from other childless colleagues. Perhaps if mothers were more open about the pressures they face balancing home and work life, the more provisions and understanding they might receive. Husbands, grandparents and highly flexible nannies can go a long way in ensuring that your children are always in the best hands possible.

Ultimately, even the best prepared mothers can sometimes face unexpected circumstances and problems that mean sorting out the best care for their child is the most important thing to deal with at that time. It is not something that they should ever be ashamed about and actually is a far better excuse for being late than many who simply sleep through their alarm in the morning!