Have you considered whether the emotional cost of childcare is worth the hassle and stress? Financial implications aside, I found it impossible to leave my child at her nursery and then focus properly on my job....i felt that i was being stretched too thin. If i concentrated on my daughter when i picked her up, then all other household chores and tasks got neglected, and vice versa.(partner in armed services) It was a no win situation for me. I gave up work to be a stay at home mum and we're all happier for it.

Bully for you! I have a huge mortgage because we bought in a popular catchment area. I can't afford to give up work, but have decided that the long term benefits outweigh the stress and all the juggling of commitments. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. You have to decide for yourself whether the emotional cost is too high or not.

You have to do what's right for your family. Everyone's different and only you know whether something's working or not. This whole question seems onlt to affect women...men hardly ever find themselves in this awkward position/dilemma and nobody judges them if they decide to work full time.