I know where you are coming from.

If I were in your situation I'd not be going back to work yet, but I know your decision is not as simple as it seems.

I am due to go back in Feb and am dreading it - I just don't want to go back even though I was quite happy in my job and things have changed for the better since I've been off. I just want to be a SAHM. It's taken me 14 years to get a bub so one would think the decision would be an easy one but it's just not. As much as finances shouldn't come into it they do.

We are paying a house off and this is what is making it impossible for me to stay home. We could not manage to pay a mortgage and live off DF's wage alone and although the govt would give us a little money I don't think $250 or so a fortnight is going to make up for the loss of my salary. Of course we'd be losing a lot of money to child care if I go back to work so it's really hard to work out what's best. Like you I have also considered finding a part time job, but again it's hard to work out if we'd manage OK on that.

If we were renting I'd be staying home in a heartbeat. I even wish we weren't paying off a house so I could do it, but the thought of selling up our home and possibly never getting back into the market is not a pleasant one. Without my wage we would never get a mortgage again unless DF suddenly earns a lot more than he does now.

I haven't even looked into child care yet. I keep putting it off and I think in a way it might be in the hope of not getting a place therefore delaying my return to work. There is a glut of childcare places in our area though (one closed down recently as they couldn't fill it) so that isn't all that likely.

Good luck with making your decision, I know how hard it is.