i had to go back to work when ds was a similar age, and i found it very hard too. unfortunately it was harder struggling to py the bills so i had very little choice.
i have found that the upside is that i really treasure the times i get with him now - even the busride to daycare has taken on extra magicalness.
he is nearly 2 now and has always known i am his mama, which i did worry about for a while! and is learning so many things that i could never teach him - like persian.
i guess these days we have to just deal with what we've got and take heart in the fact that we are not alone in being in a less than perfect situation.
bring on the tattslotto win!