https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 18:16:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-499877 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 04:13:07 +0000 pinkcupcake 499877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the previous posters have all given great advice, and I particularly echo @sarac. </p> <p>I was a gov't lawyer before I quit to be a SAHM. It was probably the most difficult yet easiest decision I've ever had to make. Difficult because I had worked so hard for my degree and had a well-paying job, but easy because there was no doubt that I wasn't about to miss a single second of my baby's life. I think it's important to listen to your heart, as cheesy as it is, and do what will truly make you happy, not what you *think* you should do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498434 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:23:52 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 498434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The new Yahoo CEO has proven work and mother can work in tandem. If having a fulfilling and challenging career makes you happy then go for it. Ascending the corporate ladder is not in conflict of being a great parent. Sacrifices will be made, sure, but having a happy mom will make for happy children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498335 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:51:40 +0000 littlek 498335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you like your job? Or are you bored and can't way for the day to end? It's amazing how much time we spend at work, so it's important that you enjoy what you are doing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498295 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:41:25 +0000 sarac 498295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say follow your passion. I can't imagine any career that would tempt me to miss my baby's first years. That's my passion, as hard as it can be. It sounds like you're following yours - and don't feel guilty about it. Children need parents who are loving, caring, passionate people. Passionate about work, about being at home raising kids, about their hobbies, whatever. You can be some or all or most of these things, and it doesn't matter which, just so long as you're passionate about something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498274 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:35:54 +0000 sooz 498274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: We currently have a nanny whom we love, so it is somewhat flexible. I know what you mean about the market picking up. The cutbacks in government have definitely hit us too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498263 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:33:24 +0000 T-Mom 498263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sooz: What's your child care situation like? My DH works long hours and far away, so I always have to be the one to be flexible to be there for day care drop off and pick up, doctor visits, etc. But if you have a nanny maybe it would be easier on you. </p> <p>Worklife balance is hard to give up, but goverment is also not a great place to be right now anyway, and the commercial market is really picking up now that the economic recovery is underway.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498213 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:20:44 +0000 sooz 498213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: I wish my DH could help out more, but his job is pretty strict in terms of hours and he doesn't have much flexibility.</p> <p>@T-Mom: I know...the public sector work-life balance is hard to give up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498174 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:14:13 +0000 T-Mom 498174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, it is difficult to give you advice since I also struggle with these things. I work for a government contractor (federal government) and have enjoyed the slower (but only sometimes) pace and the greater flexibility compared to working in the commercial sector. I know for sure that my salary or career growth has not been as steep as if I continued working in commercial as I did previously. Lately due to the state of the federal goverment, cutbacks in the defense budget, etc. many and I mean MANY of my colleagues have been jumping ship to go work in the oil and gas industry. Some of these have been moms. What I hear is that the compensation is obviously better on the other side, but there are also cons, such as longer hours, more difficult commute, etc. </p> <p>I have 2 kids right now, so I am at the point where I am trying to dial it back in order to participate more in my kids education and extra-curricular activities. A good friend and co-worker of mine (mom of 3) recently went to work in the commercial sector and she is much happier and more engaged in her work. The difference between the 2 of us is that she has that ambition right now, and I'm just not feeling it, due to burn-out. If I were at your stage and had that "fire in the belly" so to speak, I probably would consider making a move, since you could always go back to the government and it's "cushiness" at a later time. But it's a hard choice. It's nice to be flexible for the kids when the get sick, etc. Good luck with your decision! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498158 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:10:30 +0000 blackbird 498158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's worth the risk. You never know what the job will actually be like until you're there, and I think you would always wonder "what if". Is your husband willing to step up if you have to work more hours? It's something you can ask about, too--what sort of hours everyone works. You don't even know yet! I say cross that bridge when it comes :) Plus it probably wouldn't be forever. </p> <p>I know lots of managers who only work 40 hour work weeks. It's all about managing your time effectively. And if they DO have to work extra on weekends and such, i know it's after their kids go to sleep. Because I'll get emails at weird hours, but not often at all :)</p> <p>I say you don't know unless you try and it may make you happier in the long run! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498154 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:08:17 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 498154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Follow your passion and do what excites you. I love being a mom, but I love being a physician as well. They don't exactly compare, but I can't imagine not having one or the other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/career-vs-baby#post-498131 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:02:49 +0000 sooz 498131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sure this has been posted many times, but I'm so conflicted and wanted to get people's advice/opinions.</p> <p>I've been working at my current, cushy, government gig for almost 5 years and have just recently vested in the pension plan (this is a huge milestone that I've been waiting for). I know I'm in line for a promotion to my boss's job, but that won't happen for another at least 5 years (basically, he has to quit or retire). My current position is OK, but it's definitely not challenging and I know the longer I stay here, the less marketable I am in the private industry. Before this offer, I had resigned myself to just remaining here until retirement.</p> <p>In the past few years, I've turned down multiple offers from other companies because we were trying to conceive and I wasn't willing to leave this cushy gig until I knew what our "family" situation was going to be. Now that I've vested, I'm more open to leaving my current gig and it just so happens that I received a request for an interview with a very prominent up-and-coming company. Even if I stay at this company for a couple of years, just having it on my resume would be great. </p> <p>I'd make more money, be able to build my team and the position from the ground up and even possibly, get some potential equity in the company. The downside is that I'd probably work a lot more hours which means that my family time would be much more limited. Our LO is currently 8 months. </p> <p>I always thought that being a Mom would be priority number one, but now that the this opportunity has come into the picture, I'm really excited and I haven't been this excited in a long time....I'm almost feeling guilty that I would even think about sacrificing some of my mommy time to career time.</p> <p>Should I even consider moving? I'd lose my cushy government gig and may never find another one like it...is it worth the risk? </p>