Do it! Do it!

I wish that my employer was that flexible! If I only got to spend 1 hour extra with Rachel every day...a whole day would be a miracle! And a whole day to myself without the guilt of calling in "sick" when I know that I'm perfectly healthy, that would be wonderful!

You deserve it! So do it!

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Oh! I hope it works out, that would be so wonderful for you!!

I've always found that Real Choice brings Real Anxiety. I hope you don't have that same issue and can make your choice swiftly!

Think about how useful that extra day will be when you invoke that Family Plan of yours sometime soon!

Can you write and clean and do the other things while you have Frances? I absolutely absolutely love having Sasha in daycare only 2 days, but I don't get very much done -- aside from playing with my daughter.

That said: I just pulled Blake from preschool on Fridays, and the difference for all of us in only having 4 days on which we are required to do things is so amazing! We are all happier, less stressed.

Good luck! Good luck!

I do think that once you open that door, you will see life in a whole new light! I pray you make a choice that fills your heart with such joy you will never, ever second guess it.

Also, if you read a post on my blog recently, I wrote about a dream I had about my Mother [who passed away on September 26th at the age of 64] she gave me a quarter and asked me to call a dear friend of hers and to tell her to "not worry about the small stuff"...."Don't sweat the small stuff".

Time is a gift that no money can ever buy........

I love the new look my dear.

Peace and love, TM

Thank you, Tara Marie,

And thanks everyone else, too--I think I'll probably end up asking, and we'll see what happens from there and how it goes. And how long it takes to set up, considering that this is government.

Jennifer, probably not, but I figure it will be easier to take a bit of time away from the family on the weekends (when Erik is there) or to hire a babysitter on occasion when I don't already feel starved for Frances time. Does that make sense?

It might be a pipe dream. Only one way to find out.

That is fantastic...congratulations! I'll be keeping my toes crossed for you that they say "Yes."

I sure hope you do it! It's a dream-come-true-in-the-making for you, isn't it? Also, I see a few Monday playdates in our future.... :-D Because, you know, it's always all about me! hehehe

It's amazing - open the door and walk right through. I'm sure that work will always be happy to take the time back if you need to return to a full-time schedule.

I would never give advice because I don't know what will work for your life, but I will tell you that I work less than a full work 40 hour work week, and I love it.

I feel more in control of my life, and I don't hesitate nearly as much to do things for myself. (Sometimes I did in the past, as I felt like it was taking away time that Zane needed with me).

There are drawbacks of course, i.e. the perception of having "downshifted" at work, but it's been really positive for all of us.

Good luck with making it happen!