Honestly - my parents have always had an 8kg top loader. At one stage they had a 10kg one.

It's me and my two boys - so the same as you. I bought a Bosch 5.5 kg FL and I LOOVE LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOVE it. I'd NEVER go back to a TL. The loads are awesome - I can't believe how much it takes. It also has a 2000 rpm spin cycle so the clothes are almost dry when they come out of the machine, which reduces dryer time. And it only takes 56L per wash, whereas the TL takes almost three times that much. And water is SO expensive these days.

And yes, the Bosch are REALLY that good. I've had mine for 3 years and it's been awesome. Fabulous. Fantastic.

(oh and don't be afraid of change - change is GREAT!)