Just had enough and need to rant. I left a very good career to do a PhD, this PhD represents a planned directional change for me career wise and I was lucky enough to secure a good scholarship and teach alongside it, all in all I bring in about 20k most of which is tax free, so to me this is an ok income for the time being, it is less than what I was on, but to DH and I it is more about being happy in a career than chasing money (obviously once we are earning enough to live off that is). DH and I planned for this financially and adjusted accordingly. DH's family treat it like a hobby, something I can pick up and put down as I want and laugh at me for taking it so seriously. I have 2 'study' days a week and the rest of the time I fit it into evenings and weekends around caring for my two young children (both pre-school). I work bloody hard to get this done and so fed up with the attitude that it doesn't matter, isn't a 'job' and is just my hobby. They criticise me for leaving my old job and putting us in a financially harder position and often suggest I'm selfish in doing this. They completely ignore the fact that it gives me much more flexibility to be with my children (part of the reason for our timing of the move) I have to complete on time, we cannot afford or me to run over the scholarship, and to secure the career I am going for I have to do well. I stick to a strict timetable and push myself hard, and I absolutely love it, just wish it wasn't such a joke to everyone else. Have to say DH is very supportive as are my family (they do the childcare to support), but we spend ALOT of time with DH's family due to caring needs and business. Sorry rant over, but AIBU to be a little irritated by this?