‘Sorry I can’t, I’m a parent’ is not a weak excuse

At some point in your professional life, you will be asked to do something that makes you scowl, “Are they serious?” A 6 p.m. brainstorming session. An important client dinner on the night of your kid’s recital. A weekend retreat that promises team bonding but really means you will miss your kid’s birthday and end up sharing a bunk bed with Carl from compliance. You want to say, “I’m not available,” but what comes out instead is an overly apologetic word salad: “I am so sorry. My kid...