I went back to work full time in August (DD 15 months at time), and my husband went part time - but from next week we have switched to me part time 3 days and him full time. Financially that isn't so great, but I found that I just couldn't cope with the separation from DD for 5 days a week and long hours. Looking back I thought "Well if DH can work five days a week and be ok, then we can just switch roles and all will be ok" as financially much better that way, but in reality I am me, and he is him and we all deal with things differently, so as others have said you have to do what feels right for you - other people who appear to be handle the balance are not you and may also have issues which aren't visible or a different support network, but in the end is pointless trying to rationalize they are not you, you are not them and you have to do what suits you and your family best.