I don't know any of the circumstances dealing with Luckies4me or any other PTer, so I will leave that topic alone. I also do not have kids and am basing my opinion on things I have witnessed in my brother's marriage. My brother is a consultant and is gone far too much for a man who has two very young children (I love my brother don't get me wrong...I think his career choices are very selfish). My sister-in-law, in all aspects and reality, was a single mother and never, ever had time for herself. Yes, your child should be your #1 priority but I also do not think you should define yourself as a person based upon your children. You are not just a mother, but a woman who might enjoy reading, working out, yoga, etc etc. She was ran ragged; she never had free time for herself--you know, those five minutes each day we ALL NEED to stop, think, and regroup. I think everyone deserves a time out on their own, even just for once or twice a month to see the forest through the trees. Eventually, your children will grow up and if you base your entire existence around them, then what? I do not think a parent should be out every weekend partying, getting drunk, whatever. BUT hiring a babysitter every once in a while IS A GOOD THING.

Things became so bad, but sister-in-law's mother and husband moved in with them. Those are completely different issues that I don't agree with either, but it's not my life. Of course, my brother has been gone for a month in Europe working... I just don't see us ever having come from the same family. Our priorities are completely different.