I totally understand about feeling differently towards your career. At the moment I am up in arms about what I want to do. Part of me wants to return to work I once knew and loved, the other part wants to find work elsewhere and try something new.
We did the sums for me to return to work this year, $1100 a week for childcare costs for the girls. So me returning to work for now is a total joke really. I couldnt get a job anywhere to cover those sorts of costs and then make a profit.
I cant answer your questions really, but I do want to follow this, because I know at some stage I will return to work, and I need to start planning for the long term.