• A surprise pregnancy with twins at 43 ended my career as an airline pilot. • Staying home with my kids was right for my family, but now I'm struggling to make ends meet. • I'm tapping into retirement early until I start a new career.

At 43, I was at the height of my professional career, living my dream life as a Southwest Airlines pilot. I traveled back and forth across the country multiple times every month and used my free passes on frequent vacations with my 8-year-old son.

The airline business is built on seniority, and after 12 years, I was senior enough to fly only about eight days a month.

I didn't know my lifestyle was headed for a massive speed bump after learning I was pregnant with twins.

Having twins in my 40s changed everything — especially my career

I had planned t

See Full Page