It is a really hard decision to make. I went back to work when Ds1 was 10mo, I lasted 3 weeks (3 days/week). I just couldn't leave him, I found it so hard, knowing I was going to miss out his milestones and just generally missed him. He was with DH's aunty and cousin (who loved him to bits and he enjoyed being with them).

we were able to manage me not working, just. I started doing family day care just before he turned 3, this was after DH was retrenched and we moved in with his family, when we got our own place again, we needed the second income. I stayed doing this until I was pg with Ds2 and began spotting (after 3 years of ttc and fertility treatment there was no way I was going to risk that pg). I started back again when he was almost 3 as well. I've just had baby number 3 and have taken 9 weeks off, starting back this week, financially I just had to come back early, we have used almost every dollar in our bank accounts - just happens to be that time of the year when all the big bills come in together, (tax, car insurances x 2, electricity, water, etc)

Could you look at working from home, either with your current job, or starting something new? Or working part-time (I can't remember if you have a full time/part time job already)