I would love to be a SAHM, but can't. Or rather, I could if I were willing to have DH walk out, lose our home and have a very upset son. I balance it up and I'm back at work. We can't really afford for me to work, what with childcare costs, but I do (ha, leaving soon though... to do another better paid job). I've walked to the doctors with a flood on by the pond, mile there and back only though, with DS in a sling with whiplash and no pushchair... I'd still rather do that than work! But I will not sacrifice my husband for that. That would adversely affect DS more than me going back to work, IMO.

DS's childcare centre don't control cry, the kids are all happy (even DS the first time I left him, he who was a super-clingy baby), the carers are great and are all monitored by webcam the parents can log onto every minute of the day if they so wish, I wouldn't swap it for the world. There's a playground/park right outside the door and the kids play there when it's a quiet day (quite often there are just 6 children and 4 carers on Mondays and Fridays). But they wouldn't take a one-month-old.

By financial freedom do you mean keeping the house where your children are settled, eating, paying bills? Or do you mean new clothes every week and holidays? If it's the former, I would say that going back to work early would be the best option. I dunno, only you know what level of finances are your option. I'd want to stay with my baby as long as possible, and I did, but if "as long as possible" for you is one month don't feel guilty. Yes, I'd want more time at home with DS, but it isn't happening, so no guilt, it's not worth it. Only you know what's best for your family.