It’s Friday night; I am drinking wine after another week of mental exhaustion from working in the City. For context - the parents divorced, grew up poor and had to be a golden child. This translated into working hard at school, uni, and career, and then resulted in being in a senior position as, frankly, my self-worth is defined by my hard work. Growing up poor made me even more determined to give the best life for my only child. But now I am just mentally exhausted after fighting with men at work, making myself sick with stress while my DH has a more relaxed life afforded by my hard work; he gets to spend so much time with our child. My DH is a good husband and father; I wouldn’t change that. Plus, I am happy there is always one of us there for our DD. He’s just not as ambitious or had a far better childhood and doesn’t think he needs to work all the time. Plus, I see many of my school mum friends only working part-time and having a far better quality of life than I do. I have no time for anything- it’s either work and constant fighting with men at work or home. I am starting to get resentful. Yes, I know that being SAHM isn’t easy one bit - I did that for a bit, too - but now I am second-guessing my life choices to work hard in a male-dominated industry. My DD is only 7, but I wonder what I should tell her - studying hard and working hard like me - yes, I am independent, but I am not free or marry well? As yes I have the funds but day to day my school mum friends are certainly better off!