Hi - we'll just have to agree to disagree on this.

I used to earn a lot more than my partner at my old job, but I made it clear when Caitlin was born that I would not return to work full time in the city. I used to travel 2.5 hours a day to and from work. I did work two days a week for a short period, but leaving home at 6am and getting back at 7pm for those days was too much. I guess I should have more respect for women who can keep this up. No amount of money could keep me away in these first few years of her life, this is my fulltime *job* for at least five/six years and if we are unable to have any more children, it will be the first and last time I will be able to do it.

I now work 18 hours a week at night in a completely different field and about five minutes from home. I don't like it too much, but its convenient and while I go back to Uni part time, I know i have to make it work. Between us, Nick and I earn about the 'average' wage that they quote in the papers for one worker !!

Back to centerlink - I checked out the website - that JET thing is aimed at single income families and helping getting women back into the workforce. I will call them tomorrow and double check this.

Cheers,
barb.