Both work and home life are able to provide a rich sense of purpose and self-worth, but how and to what extent is very individual. Research from the US has found that mothers who want to work but are staying at home, or would like to work more or less than they are, or want to stay at home but have to work are at greater risk from depression. In other words, you are likely to have better mental health if you are able to follow the path that is right for you.
While what path to take is a very personal decision, mothers often feel they have to justify their reasons for returning, or not returning, to work. If you are already feeling uncertain about your choices, this can increase your sense of doubt, particularly if someone is critical of what you are planning to do. I have heard women in my Early Days courses say they feel they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, so they might as well do what is right for them.