I went back. I liked my married name. I thought it flowed well. It means "Given" in Spanish and I thought it was neat but didn't seem right to keep it after I divorced him. Afterwards it made me remember that I was myself again. It was unexpected the amount of pride it gave me. It made me think in a new way about the "ownersbip" aspect of marriage and it's kinda gross. I never was that impressed with it anyway though. I never realized that I had any real pride in my name. It gave me a visceral feeling of being that person I was before every time I wrote it down or used it. It really was quite a surprise how much satisfaction I got. It was 2011 and I still think about it when I have to fill out anything that asks for "previous names used". It seems weird because most people put their maiden name there and my name is my maiden name. It makes me feel special, even though it shouldn't.. I guess taking that back for myself is something to be proud of though.

I hope this doesn't sound corny I woke up at 3am and can't sleep. I wasn't in an abusive or overly patriorical relationship but I lost a lot of myself with him. Everyone does in any relationship, even healthy ones (or especially healthy ones but it wasn't). It was just like a reminder of finding the new me and being in control of my own life. Its subtle but powerful.
That was 2011 and there is still the account here and there with the other name on it. I had to sign that way not to long ago and now I can't remember why but it was weird. Changing all the bank accounts, college stuff, work stuff, other stuff you wouldn't think of, that took a while. Some of it I didn't even bother. It doesn't matter anyway.

As far as the kids go I don't think it effects them negatively. There are many different types of family these days so I don't think there is as much of a stigma as there may have been to the past. If I were to have another child I think it would be even more important (hypothetical I very much am not planning on that). In my mind I would give said child their dads name so I wouldn't have the same name as some of my kids but not the rest. I would keep my own because I am my own person. I really do see it as almost some form of violence to take someone's name from them now. I know that sounds dramatic and I have never worded it like that before, even in my head but I do cringe when I see young women giving up their names. I'm really not a feminazi...
Aaand it's 430am and I just dropped my phone because my alarm went off. Better wrap it up. I really didn't know I had a strong opinion about this, felt good to spell it out and think about it for a few hours though I guess.. hmm..

Anyway I think you should do what feels best for you. It won't change your life significantly but might give you some personal satisfaction if you are willing to deal with all the paperwork, a few automated phone systems and the occasional confused but usually not judgmental teacher to straighten it all out ?

I'd say switch back. When my parents got divorced, my Mom went back to her maiden name thus mine being different from hers. In the end, the only person's opinion that will actually matter is your own. So, what do you want to do?

Either way I would like you just the same

Is easy really worth it? Isn't what's important worth more effort?