I stayed home for 12 months and have just returned back to a 5-day fortnight.

We could have survived financially without me working but I wanted a little bit of financial leeway given that we're thinking of having #2 and it will have to be very, very soon given my age.

But really, the overwhelming reason was for my mental health. I loved being home with DD but I had a very tough year. Physically, the first six months were a nightmare because I couldn't walk, stand or bend without being in pain so I was virtually housebound. On top of that, I was a)trying to reach a financial settlment with my XH b)trying to organise renos to this house c)trying to win custody of my DSD who lives in the States and d)trying to hold my relationship with DP together which had suffered enormously because he didn't understand how much physical pain I was in. So each one of those items went around and around in circles and each day felt the same as the last.

On top of that, DP is a shiftworker who often works 9 days out of 10, so I rarely got a break.

If we have no. 2 and the physical problems recur, then I will try to get DP to go part-time and me potentially go back to work earlier (I'm in an office job so it's easier physically to be at work than it is lifing and carrying a baby).

If I'm physically fine (and able to get out of the house and actually engage in life) then I may stay home for 12 months again.

In my situation, going back to work part-time has been extremely beneficial for my state of mind though staying home for 12 months has, I think, been very worth it in terms of my bond with DD and my confidence in my parenting.

Sorry, that turned out to be a novel!