I've had a lot to think about lately.
After quitting my full-time, outside the home job that I had for ten years (which I really liked, by the way) in July, I originally planned to stay at home for at least a year. I got severance for six months (I quit because the job moved an hour away) so I had some financial flexibility.
Before I left, I got a call from a co-worker. His wife, the CEO of a local nonprofit firm, was looking for some strategic finance help for about five hours a week. It wasn't the perfect job for me, because it involved a lot of accounting (which I have no background in - I'm more of a strategic finance professional) and the pay was much less than I had been making. But it was a good opportunity to keep my resume current and earn some extra money.
Up until the end of 2008, this was working out really well. But it became very obvious that there needs were growing beyond the amount of time I was able to give. It was never five hours per week, averaging about twelve instead, and my to do list was growing and growing.
So, I decided to leave. After all, I'd only taken this job because it was a small amount of hours and wouldn't interfere much with my stay at home plans. But now, as I look at our budget, I look longingly at my final severance check. It's so much money to give up, isn't it? And, now, with the economy in a tailspin, will I be able to go back, when I'm ready?
My friend Kate sent me this link to the Career Diva's latest post - "Are Stay at Home Moms Regretting Their Choices?". It includes opinions from different moms, and I must say that all of this gives me a lot to think about.
So, are you regretting your choices? I'm not, at least not yet.
Jan 30, 2009
To Work or Not to Work
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2 comments:
Jodi, it certainly is a difficult decision. But here's the way I look at it. Children grow so quickly. It seems like just yesterday, I was struggling with nursing my first child. I blinked and he's almost 11 with 2 other siblings. I don't want to feel like I missed out on their lives, so I can't say I regret staying at home. If you can swing it financially, I think it's a great decision.
You're bright and talented, and I'm sure that there will be many opportunities when you feel like you're ready to return -- even with the economy the way it is. With your networking skills, I'm sure you could create opportunities.
On the other hand, if you ever feel resentful towards your children -- like their holding you back -- then you need to work for your own fulfillment. Motherhood should be a joy, not a sentence.
Okay, this could have been my own blog. Sorry to ramble. Good luck!
I think we all ask ourselves these questions, but you know what they say about hindsight being 20/20.
One of my friends with two preschool-age kids and a baby on the way has a great outlook in that she feels like this is a time she could have easily been downsized out of her job about now anyway, so maybe it's not such a bad time to be at home if you can manage on one income. And by the time you are ready to go back the economy will hopefully be in a better spot.
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