Working mums: do you regret going back to work FT?

[Marghe87]

Posted a similar question a few days ago addressed to SAHM and it has raised a very good discussion around the topic (although some women felt offended by it, which is a shame).
I'd like to hear more stories from FT working mums (possibly with no family behind the corner to help) to understand who they manage to do it all and whether they have ever regretted their choice.

I am not a journalist (as some asked me before, lol) or anything like that. I just want to have an open discussion about this as none of my friends have kids or are TTC yet and I feel the need to share these topics (which worry me for my own future) with someone, that's all :)

I returned to work when ds was just 2. I haven’t regretted it for a second because

1. I was bored and lonely on maternity leave. Toddler groups and coffee mornings are really not my thing
2. Ds’s dad hadn’t been honest with me about his finances so relying on him would have been a disaster.
3. I like my job, I’m much happier now, have managed a reasonable work/life balance and ds is flourishing.

I live in a two-FT job no extra support two child household. We just about manage for the day to day crap, but we have to call in support for exceptional (like when I had surgery last year). While we are both full time, we are also both in flexible roles, so i do drop off and start late, he starts early and does pick up.

I work far more than he does, generally--bringing work home, etc. My job is one of those calling-career-type jobs. He has a job that is "just" a job to him. He really wanted kids, I was somewhat ambivalent. I fucking hated being on mat leave, and would have taken less if I wasn't being paid to be off. He picks up the slack with the kids when I travel etc, and TBH does more with them generally. I work my arse off. This works for us.

I have a 7 and a 4 yo and work full time. Not regretted it and have no family help. We managed because DH takes equal responsibility and both our employers are flexible and we don’t work shifts. For example I am working from home today and tomorrow because of the weather warning. DH can also work from home. We can both take time off during office hours to attend things. We take turns for holiday childcare and sick children.

Went full time when DS was 6 years. DH found it the hardest 🙈