Making choices

For the past 6 years I've had the same job, I've turned into the person I used to look at and think why don't you move onwards and upwards I was I admit a little bit smug. I thought I'd always be moving forwards, grabbing the next opportunity but then life changed. Firstly I had the monkeys 2 lots of maternity leave in 2 years, dropped down to 4 days (part time working at its best - 20% less pay 0% change in workload!) and then I became single - I still work really hard the majority of the time I love my job and I am still career driven. This week though I had to make a decision - there is an opening in the role above, the job is brilliant, the money would be fab, BUT it's full time that 1 extra day in the office (and its managing a team). I made my mind up I was going for it - CV written, chats had, positive feedback got, my kids wouldn't really mind mummy working that 1 extra day - it wouldn't bother them. But deep down I knew it would bother them and it'd bother me - I would end up not happy at home not happy at work - the bank manager would probably be the only happy one. So I pulled out of the race - and I feel relieved. My job works for me and it works for the monkeys - so for a while longer I'll be the person I never thought I would be - but then again does anyone really understand the impact of kids pre-kids? 

I haven't got the perfect work life balance but as a family we seem to be doing ok - and that's all that matters to me.