KiwiFamilies.co.nz editor Rochelle Gribble said parents often struggled with balancing work and life.
"We all want to do the very best by our children, and I think with children, it doesn't matter what you do, you feel like you're not doing your best, probably."
Ideally, parents should be able to let go of the guilt but that was not always easy, Ms Gribble said.
Auckland child and family psychologist David Stebbing said many of his clients were financially secure but "time-poor".
Mr Stebbing said "accumulation of interaction" with children was what made the biggest difference in parents' lives.
He said there was contradictory research around whether having children in daycare was detrimental.
"There's variables that probably dictate that," he said.
A very young baby might be more affected than a toddler going for the first time, Mr Stebbing said.
The quality of care the child received and temperament were other factors. "Some kids are more robust than others."
Juggling act tough for mother
Working Wellington mum Frank McColl makes spending quality time with her son Lachie a priority but admits she still feels guilty when they're apart.
The part-time teacher and school resource writer spends two weekdays and the weekends with Lachie, who is almost 2, and a few hours in the evening on the days she works. Her partner works fulltime.
The couple decided they would make quality time with their son a priority but it isn't always easy juggling work, Lachie and home commitments, Ms McColl says. "I think sometimes I feel a little torn. I often pay the price if I work too many days - he gets really clingy."
Ms McColl worked from home from when Lachie was 3 months old and returned to teaching when he was 1. "I always wanted to be the person that he spent the most time with and I'm glad that my job is flexible."
