![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1243498179-e1685771719738.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
25 September 2022, Bavaria, Munich: Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor and former governor of California, is on stage at the Bits & Pretzels company founder and investor meeting. At Bits & Pretzels, successful founders talk about their experiences, present ideas and can get in touch with investors. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1243498179-e1685771719738.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
25 September 2022, Bavaria, Munich: Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor and former governor of California, is on stage at the Bits & Pretzels company founder and investor meeting. At Bits & Pretzels, successful founders talk about their experiences, present ideas and can get in touch with investors. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Arnold Schwarzenegger overcame many challenges in life, but his term as the Governor of California put him in a very tough spot. The 76-year-old struggled to balance his family and work and had a major dilemma. Arnie appeared on Jay Shetty’s podcast and discussed how his kids were crying because of his hectic profession.
The 7x Mr. Olympia was in a fix when his children demanded more of his time when he was away carrying out his Governor’s duties.
The clash of promises
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When Katherine Schwarzenegger was born, The Terminator icon promised his ex-wife Maria Shriver that his family would be his priority. He fulfilled his promises by always being there for the kids. Arnie used to take them to the film sets and take part in drawing sessions with his girls. However, priorities changed when he decided to rally for a prestigious political role.
Schwarzenegger promised the people they would be his No. 1 priority if he became the Governor. So, when he won, he focused on his work to uplift the state, but the kids weren’t happy. They started complaining about Arnie’s absence from their recitals and football matches, and the loving dad was heart-wrenched with the confessions. “So that is devastating when the kids are crying and complaining,” Arnie confessed to Shetty.
“I promised the people that they’re No. 1 , but I also promised my family. I promised my wife when we had the first child that they were going to be No. 1. So that’s a dilemma,” Arnie revealed. However, no impediment cannot stop Schwarzenegger from living his best life. So, he devised an idea to balance his personal and professional lives.
The costly idea of not having regrets
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Despite not getting enough affection from his father, Gustav Schwarzenegger, Arnie was committed to being a loving and caring dad. While he never compromised on disciplining his kids, the Terminator icon also gave in to his kids’ requests. So, when they demanded more of his time, he decided to shuttle more frequently from Sacramento to his home in L.A.
“I committed that instead of flying up to Sacramento on Monday and coming home on Thursday, I would fly up every morning and back every night unless there was a major crisis,” he revealed.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s kids are now all grown up, and the family celebrates all the special occasions under one roof. The Terminator star and his ex-wife’s efforts can be credited for it.
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