Sorry for the long post. I’m just baffled by this at the moment. So I was in an extremely abusive marriage and eventually gained the courage to leave. That was 7 years ago. Since then I started all over from absolutely nothing, having not finished my degree as I dropped out due to depression. I worked my way up within 5 years in my current role, gained qualifications in the role, I also worked part time in the weekends from home to make ends meet so I could afford small holidays etc with dd who is 8. Although exhausted from doing everything alone I was content with where I was and felt that my 25k salary was enough for us. I was the least ‘successful’ within my social circle. Now I am happily married and have a 1 year old son. My maternity leave has come to an end. Having spent all those years working full time with dd in childcare from the age of 1, I really do no want to go back to work just yet so I can enjoy the early years with my second child. I didn’t take the full maternity pay for that reason. My husband supports my decision and I would still be able to be self employed part time working from home. My question is why are all my friends & family suddenly so judgemental in my decision to take a break now that I have a partner who is happy to support us? During the years I was struggling as a single parent they would complain to me about wishing their partner would allow them to follow their dreams and give up full time work to pursue that and how I’m lucky I have a second job/skill to ever fall back on but now that I get the chance to focus on that why are they acting like I’ve committed a crime and interested in how I am surviving and If I’m broke or how I managed to buy certain items I couldn’t afford before? Being all competitive and have also stopped confiding in me with their problems since getting married and suddenly acting like their lives are perfect. Obviously dh had savings and our living costs are not that high. He earns an average salary 28k and we have a strict shopping budget and a spreadsheet on income and outcome. Anything I earn I spend as I wish which was impossible before. I have got to the point where I can’t be bothered to meet up with them for fear of 100 questions about why I didn’t return back to work ft if I have new shoes how could I possible afford it! I deserve this break (not that bringing up kids is a break at all!) but I feel like they were more than happy to see me struggle as a single parent working non stop, barely seeing dd but to see me not stressed out and more relaxed is bothering them for some strange reason. AIBU to just cut them off as I can’t be asked to be around those who are clearly not happy for me?