One working mum's account

Since she gave birth a month ago, Jo Welland has had just one aim: to do the best for her son.

After agonising about whether this means staying at home or returning to the office, she decided the best thing for Isaac would be working full-time.

Ms Welland, 28, is determined to give her son the opportunities she never had as a child. She said: "I didn't come from a very privileged background but I've got a good job and now I can afford to give myself treats. I like nice restaurants and designer clothes and I want to be able to give my son nice things and send him to private school. If I was able to work four days a week I would."