you are right & much of what I have said boils down to the materialistic society we live it. I try to surround myself with like-minded people but still never feel like I can have an open discussion of my opinions on this topic. Seems like everyone has an excuse to diminish the value of family balance.

Agree with you about the work environment however I have a slightly different take. This is personal experience so I can't say this is the norm but I found out something truly astonishing. Heres a little more food for thought - I worked for a large company & worked myself to the bone. I wanted to meet those high expectations. I travelled non-stop, anywhere and anytime. Traveling on Sunday was a given, no big deal, I was committed. Until of course I eventually burned out. I went to another smaller company that is husband and wife owned. This time I wasn't going to let them dictate my life and steal my me-time. I never give more then I feel is fair. I earn a decent wage & feel that I should provide the value back of what they are paying me. I do my job & I push back when needed. This is HUGE. I have been there 5 years and have never felt that I am under scrutiny for "doing less". I think often we BELIVE we must give our whole lives way. But maybe we don't have to. You just have to learn to say no and value yourself and your time enough to not let anyone else take that away.

Everything you have said really resonates with me. This makes me feel like someone else gets where I am coming from. "If feminism is about male/female equity, then I would say that this is an extremely feminist choice. Being able to decide what our family will look like, how it will be funded and raised is extremely empowering." - wow I love this.

I will wish I had worried less.