Mum: Hi remember me? Dad: Oh yeah, aren’t you wait, aren’t you the mother of my children? Mum: Yes, how are you doing? Haven’t seen you in a while! Dad: Now I’ve put them to bed, I’m great! Mum: Today was exhausting! Dad: Tell me about it. What time were you up? Mum: About 4:30. I need that early morning time to get myself together and actually do some work before it all goes to hell. Dad: Every night, I tell myself I’m going to do that, and every morning when the alarm goes off, I tell myself I need just a few more minutes of sleep. Mum: You’re a night owl, I’m an early bird, it’s just how we are. Dad: But I want to be an early bird and watch TV at night instead of doing the work I need to do. By the way, thanks for helping me out today. I owe you. Tomorrow, they’re mine. Mum: It’s fine. Apart from when Justin dropped his yogurt, I think it went pretty well. Dad: Oh, I don’t think anyone even noticed the screaming child while I was presenting – and if they did, they probably didn’t want to say anything in case they have their own children screaming on call in the future. Mum: I don’t think I’m convinced about this hybrid working situation. Don’t get me wrong, I love not having to commute every day. With my job, that’s easily two hours of the day I get back. But organizing myself and kids and work? Dad: Yeah, it’s a challenge. Some days I feel on top of it all, but there are days when I feel like I’m a terrible employee, a terrible father and a terrible husband. Mum: (with joking intonation) Oh honey, don’t think like that. Trust me, you’re a terrible husband EVERY day, not just some days. Dad: Just for that, I’m not going to tell you where Becky hid the chocolate Nutella. Mum: I’ll just go and buy more. Dad: or the car keys Mum: Fine. You’re a wonderful husband on most days. Dad: I’ll be wonderful tomorrow while you’re in your meeting. What are you doing again? Mum: I’m just leading the meeting, but the CEO is going to be there.