Anyone regret ditching their career??

[snowgirl]

Want some reassurance/advice really. Am currently working 4 days a week (dd is 14 months) but I'm just not happy, plagues with guilt and feel like I'm missing out (not to mention knackered, stressed, etc..). Can't afford to not work at all, but could just about afford to do two days. In order to do that, however, I'd have to lose all my responsibility at work and become a lowly minion again.
Having worked hard to get to where I am it seems a shame to ditch it all and it feels like I'm basically saying that's it for my career.
Anyone whose done a similar thing got any words of wisdom?
I think I'm almost certain that's what I want to do, but just need some encouragement!

I would definately go with the reducing hours rather than ditching it altogether... I went back part-time after DD1 to a senior management job, was not particularly fulfilling but liked the independence, money and using my brain...my job has just gone (whilst on mat leave with DS) as part of big re-structure and although I have had a really good package I'm a SAHM (and though enjoy it most of the time) would like to have the option to work or not.
Not sure about you..but I have to pay for childcare...which at the nursery I have always used is £40 a day...now got to find a part-time job that pays over £15 per hour...as my nan would say...they're like hens teeth!

If you enjoy your job keep it and work less hours if you can...

My former career was pretty incompatible with having children and not cost effective on a part time basis. Also felt I had come to a natural hiatus anyway. Took a career break but having moved abroad and had another child in the meantime by the time we came to its end I was so out of touch that it was just not ever going to be feasible even had I then wanted to resume. Don't regret it at all, however am now at a bit of a loss as to what to do should I decide I want to work again since most local part time jobs (to accommodate school hours and mummy commitments) are relatively poorly paid or too specialist.