Would you quit a full-time career and find part-time work in another field to spend more time with your child(ren), if knowing you could do it financially?
ETA: I am currently a teacher and find that it is even more now with a child. I assume the only part-time option would be tutoring.
yes, yes, and yes!
And you never know where it will take you. i left a job I really loved, ended up doing child care and homeschooling my kids, and have really enjoyed the past 5 years, even though none of those things were ever in my plans.
I would do it in a heartbeat. You are financially stable so there is no other worry. Careers are not number one.
Too vague a question: What is the true hit? Are you interested at all in the other field? How much do you like your full-time employment? Is the job guaranteed to improve your working hours? (for example, could you adjust what you do now to go part-time? Do you know that it isn't one of those "not truly part time" gigs?) How long are you talking? If you want to go back to your full-time career how bad is the impact?
For me, if I could do something else interesting and cut back to part time I would probably go for it, but only after asking all the questions above.
When my daughter was born I looked into trying to go into consulting part-time, and realized it would actually be more of a strain (lack of consistency of work-flow, difficulty of building client-base). Eventually I stepped down a level at work, which has impacted my pay scale, but seriously improved my work-life balance.
Yes-- people get so wrapped up in the Stay At Home mom/ Working Mom thing they forget all the middle of the road options-- like working FROM home or working part time.
From the time Isaac was 6 months old until he was just over 3 I worked part time. And I'm a single mom. We lived poor, er, simply, but we had time together.
Now I'm working full time overnights and we're STILL poor because it all goes to childcare but it will be SO worth it once he starts (free) school and I can sleep while he's at school, he'll sleep at the sitters while I'm at work and we'll be home and together in the evenings.
You have to decide what works best for YOUR family-- remember you can't have it all, at least not at the same time and decide what's most important to you and what you're willing to sacrifice to get it....
And if it doesn't work or quits working don't be afraid to try something else!
Yes. In a heartbeat!
Yes. They grow up so quickly. Before you know it. Plus, you will be able to attend more of their school events. I am a teacher and you would not believe the children's faces when their parents show up for lunch or for any school events. I'll hear, "There's MY MOM!" or, "There's my DAD!!" \
So yes.
Yes. I'm exploring (in my imagination) that option now. Maybe not a whole different field (I'm a teacher) but I'm definitely thinking about going down to a part time position or tutoring or something. My son just turned 6, so I've missed the window to actually stay home with him, but I'd like to be around in the mornings and afternoons and be able to attend school events etc.
YES! Trying to figure out how to do that now. Especially now that I am unemployed (not by choice) and loving the extra time with my daughter, extra time to get things done at home, and less stress from time pressures.
yes. absolutely.
I quit a high paying job to stay home with my kids. I went back to work after the first child. I was paying a nanny.. and just kept thinking .. why am I paying someone to watch my baby??? I want to watch my baby.
after 2 years at home.. I was offered a part time contract job.. which was the perfect fit for my family. It has been almost 3 years and i work 2 days (6 hours a day) per week.
next year I will have a kindergardener and a first grader.. I may look into working more hours.. but I still come back to my feeling that lputting kids in latch key before and after school and daycare for all workdays that school is not in session..is just crummy.
Quit your job.. when you are at the end of your life... I guarantee you will not regret spenidn time with your children.
I did, and I never have regretted it (it's been almost 3 years). I AM a better mother and so enjoy my time with my kids!! :)
I sure would. Good for you! It's nice to have options, isn't it? I quit to stay home a few years ago. Now, I'm working very part-time for myself and will eventually build up to full time or maybe 30 hours a week after my kids go to school full-time. You may have be able to do the same if you'd like, depending on the opportunities you come across.
FYI, if you have a masters degree, you may also teach adjunct at a college if that interests you. GL!
I absolutely would, if I had the option. It all depends on what you want, which is something you have to soul-search (in addition to posting on here :-).
I would do it if it was something my husband and I could afford. I have been thinking about that a lot lately since my son was born two weeks ago.
I have a teaching background but work in non profit but tutoring is one option, after school programs through your local YMCA is an option or through the school itself. Day cares is an option-again after school stuff. I did that for awhile in college it was just three hours a day.
Your other option is to get a part time job outside of teaching like at a retail store.
Since my son has been born I have been thinking of going back and teaching again or finding a job that pays more and doesn't require me to work late as much. I love my job now, I have a great boss and flexible hours but I need to think about my son and family and what is best for us. If you fel staying home and working part time is best for you, your kids and family and you are able to do it financially, I would.
Other ideas, look at colleges, online schools (grade school or college) -you can do that and still work from home and staying within your field.
Did it! And haven't regretted it one bit.
Yes (doing it!) but try for 3 months first to live without your salary (since you don't really know what you will earn part time) and see how it goes......
i'd think really hard about it...i probably would in the end. i really love my job though. it would help if it was part time (keeping a foot in the door) of the company i already love and have relationships at. that way when he is older i could go back ft. best of both worlds right?
