6 months ago I decided to reduce my working hours to better take care of my daughter and I am currently struggling to make ends meet. I was the sole bread winner of the family and I am still covering most of the living exenses by drawing from my retirement savings. I have been living with anxiety and poor sleep since I took this decision, although I still feel it was the only choice possible and do not regret it. I am working to come out of this situation and when I do I have promised to myself to one day have authonomy of all aspects of my life, starting with the financial side. I have taken stewardship over my daughter’s upbringing, which I had hoped others could do (luckily I have woken up about this). Still a long way to go and I need to do things gradually to take into account other people in my life, but I don’t feel stuck any more because as little as they are, there are steps being taken, and the answers to “what if” have been thought in advance. I pray that love will still prevail, but so healthy boundaries too.