Elissa ,

You poor love.

I think the girls have given you great ideas and some perfect advice.

When it comes down to it, you can only do what feels right for you and Archie.

The very fact that you are so concerned over your choice indicates that you will make the best choice for both of you in the end.

If it is any help, I always thought I would be a full time SAHM. Always.

But by the time Olivia was 10 months old I was crawling the walls with boredom and so chose to put her in childcare 2 days a week. (And I was pg with Charlie, so I used this to "justify" my decision to myself, LOL!)

Then when Charlie was 12 months, he joined her (I was heavily pg with Lexie by this time, again, the perfect excuse!)

Then when Lexie was about 6 months old I realised I had no self invented "excuse" to put her in childcare. It made me face up to the fact that, for me, FT SAHM is not ideal for my mental health. (Please note this is my experience only!)

So I went and got myself a part time job (2 days a week, which I LOVE) and all 3 of mine are at child care 2 days a week.

For us, in our family situation, this makes for chaos, but most importantly, it makes for a happy mummy and happy children.

I am consistently happy and totally comfortable with their child care arrangements, I love my job, I love dropping them off and I love picking them up. DH loves that I am happier. The kids LOVE "school" as they call it.......

So just my take on it, but let go of any Mummy guilt!

Best of luck!