Hello, not sure if this is quite the right thread for this, but am hoping for the benefit of some experiences! I work full time (but not silly hours) in a fantastic (if rather stressful) job. I have two dds, aged 4 and 1 (and I'd like another in a year or so). I am v lucky in that my mum looks after the girls. I live in a really expensive area, because that's where my work is and the nature of it means I need to live close by. DH is freelance so it doesn't matter where we live from his pov. I can see that my job is great, and when I'm not exhausted it is perfect for me; if I could do it part time that would be great. However, part time is simply not an option - my sort of job just doesn't work like that (it is reasonably flexible). If I give it up, I will never get the same job again - when I went back to work (and I'd have to one day), I'd have to do something different and as I seem to have got the perfect job for the non-stressed, less tired version of me I can see that I might well regret giving it up. I often think about resigning, though, partly to spend the time with the girls while they are little (though again, both of them love being with my mum and have gained loads from being with her - that's partly why part time would be so appealing), and partly because I am just so tired! However, if I do give up, we would have to move to a much cheaper area and our lifestyle would change quite a lot. I go over and over this - by the time I decide both girls will be retired at this rate. If I'm going to do it I want to do it before DD1 starts school in September. DH is v supportinve - my choice, he says. I just wondered if any of you had struggled with a similar decision, and what you did, and whether you were happy with your choice a little way along the track...Thank you!