I know the guilt... went through that with my first child. Then... after i returned to uni and finished my degree ontop of working i realised that i had been so busy that my DD's childhood was nearly over! So when she was 9 I had my second child and swore i would not miss his childhood so decided to a fulltime SAHM. And then i had a third... and now it's been 7 years being a SAHM and even though it's been hard financially and for my sense of fulfillment (I cant wait to return to work) I don't regret it. Maybe if i had my extended family around i could have balanced work and homelife but with no one to help it just all seemed to come down to me. my youngest is nearly 4. After we move the plan is to settle him into kinder creche and then for me to find part time work. i'm not so hesitiant because i'll have extended family around to help. So how did i know? After watching my first child's life fly by... and not wanting to miss as much of my son's childhoods... plus yes... it costs too much to go to work!!!

ETA: my mother returned to nursing after a 20 year break... can be done... but i can't say she's that happy... but the money is good as a casual nurse.