Over the last month or so, I've met some of the people connected with my dh's work - many of whom seem to be quite 'well off'. I spoke to a couple at a function a few weeks ago who employ a nanny, and the husband was telling me that he and his wife had been away recently on an overseas trip for 3 weeks, and they left the children at home with the nanny. We also ran into some more of his work associates at a wedding yesterday, who also regularly leave their babies/children with nannies and they all seem to have a wonderful social life. You know what I noticed...? They also don't even talk about their children at all. One couple (about our age) have 11 month old twins and I tried asking about them, but all they said was "they're fine". No further comment. Don't know if I'm being a bit one-sided but I just got the impression that they 'look down their nose' at anyone who doesn't have the same lifestyle as them. I certainly think it would be nice to have the freedom to have your cake and eat it too, but does anyone else think there is anything wrong with leaving young children with nannies on a regular basis? I'm not talking about the necessary work-related childcare, so please don't take me the wrong way! Maybe dh and I just aren't part of that world, but I would feel guilty if I was away from my child so much.