Nicola Pierce is a busy 30-year-old mother who starts her day at 0700 BST when she gets her six-year-old son out of bed, dresses him, gets his breakfast, polishes his shoes and does the laundry.

Then she leaves to go to work.

By 0815 BST, she is making her way through rush-hour London to a full-time job in public relations, while her partner takes their son to school.

As a report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) shows, she is one of many parents who have problems combining work and family life.

Working parents' complaint

Childcare costs too high Not enough flexi-time Lack of support from employers and government

Out of 503 parents questioned for the survey, 80% said having children increased their stress levels and changed their way of approaching work.

Mothers, in particular, find the demands of work and family conflict as they choose between furthering their careers and joining in with events like Sports Day.

"There's a Christmas play and a Christmas party at school," Ms Pierce said.

"Then there's a Christmas play and a Christmas party at after-school care. And you're expected to bake a cake for all of them.

"Schools want mums to help out and there isn't the same pressure on dads."

A total of 20% of women cut their working hours after having children due, the report found, to employers' failure to offer flexible hours or the option to work from home.

Mike Emmott, employee relations advisor at the CIPD, said: "Energy, talent and creativity is being lost to the UK workforce because nowhere near enough employers are offering employees the chance to work flexibly, or giving out the message that combining motherhood and a fulfilling working life is a realistic expectation."