There are two things that jump out at me being a parent of two children.

Until kids get to about 10 years old they need 24x7 supervision. Which means your time and energy is spent there. Your schedule completely revolves around them.

It’s hard to be 100% committed to anything else because you could get a call to attend to them regardless of your situation.

So yes, kids need their parents most of the time in early childhood.

However it also depends upon how much of community, relatives & governmental support you have. So take my words with a grain of salt.

Depends on each parent. Some are pretty distant or absent.

To me, my daughter is my world. But children are work too, however doesn't tell you this is lying.