I'd go with the longer island and the seating. With little kids, that seating will get used way more than you think. Breakfast, snacks, homework, “helping” you cook. In a 14x13 kitchen with an open plan and 5–6 feet of clearance, you’re not choking off the flow, even with stools. A 78" length isn’t massive in GC terms; we’ve done plenty in tighter Manhattan kitchens and still kept the walkways comfortable. Just make sure you’re not cramming full-depth stools in there. Aim for something with a small footprint and tuck-in legs so you’re not creating a shin-bruising zone. And remember, with kids, that overhang edge takes a beating so spec a durable stone and slightly eased edges instead of a razor-sharp miter. From a resale perspective, casual seating at the island is a plus. Most buyers these days expect it, even if they still have a dining table. More on reddit.com

If you have 80% of the countertop secured to cabinets, the overhang probably does not need supported just don't ever stand on it to change light bulbs. But they do make very sturdy cantilever supports for that purpose, which at least provide some peace of mind More on reddit.com

Assume cabinets are 25" deep, island is min 42" deep, and aisles are min 40" wide. You will see that an island just doesnt work, the kitchen is too narrow. Can you take down the wall between the kitchen and the front door? More on reddit.com

I mean if you can afford Natural stone and you love an island bench, it's well worth the investment. Especially if you can find something that's unique and suits the style of the rest of the room and the general aesthetic. But it needs to be an intentional part of design not just done because it's trendy. So go and visit some different suppliers and see if you can find something that's truly compelling and you'll love it even more and it will become a focal point and a talking point when you have guests to your home. More on reddit.com