FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 27 YEARS, I TOOK A STEP BACK FROM MY CAREER

In October last year, I switched from full-time work to a half-day arrangement.

This decision was inevitable. I’d been growing increasingly unhappy with the imbalance between my work and personal life. I was irritable, impatient and constantly tired, and my kids were all but raising themselves. My mental well-being, physical health and family all needed urgent tending.

Prior to this, my husband and I would have a talk every few months about how either one of us should be home with