Here's some ways to help you cope.

In our troubled financial times, no matter how much you might want to be a stay-at-home mom (or dad!), it's just not in the cards for many of us. You want to provide your family with the quality of life they deserve -- and sometimes the only way to do that is for both parents to work or to be a single (and fierce) working mom. Ease that guilt with a few of these tips to help you stay in your kids' good graces in the years before they can thank you for your hard work.

Cook Up Some Love
Even at your very busiest, try to schedule a night to make home-cooked meals for your brood. If it's too late to make that night's dinner, make something that can be easily reheated the next day, like soup. It'll be really nice for your kids to see you cooking something for them, and you can also use the time to talk to them and let them help with what they can. The memories of "mom's chicken soup" can be made even if mom is a powerhouse executive.

Make a Play Date
A working mom's weekends are precious, and it's hard to fit everything into them that you'd like to. However, what your kids appreciate the most is alone time with you. The bigger the family, the more important it is to spend time with each child individually. Even if all it involves is taking him to his dentist appointment alone, he'll remember that one-on-one time.

Pencil Them In
Plan time with your kids into your schedule the way you would pencil in a meeting. Pick one night a week where you must get home to them -- maybe a night where they have after-school activities that will put them on the same schedule as you. Also, consider choosing a day early in the week when you're not so entirely wiped out. If you keep your promises to them they will understand -- even at a young age -- that you do care about them.

You tell us: How do you make time for your family?