Yep, I think a lot of families expect certain things from each individual. If you are the "be there" parent then that's how they see you. When you do something else, then they might feel slighted, even though you are "still there" for them. It's one of those growing things.

I hope I don't run into that. I've always had things that were a priority for me (usually exercise related). Hopefully my kids see that as a positive thing, not a negative. I am the one that is always there for all of their events. They don't even think twice if DH isn't there, because he usually isn't. Why is that? Shouldn't they be missing him more at most events, than missing me at a single one I can't make.

Ah, life, if it was easy we'd want it to be harder.