https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:26:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006594 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 11:07:23 +0000 Kelley_lovelikecrazy 2006594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It has and it hasn't.</p> <p>It hasn't - I was promoted and really gained a lot incredible opportunities post Olivia. Things I never thought were possible - and the fact that I had a child apparently never affected my employers decision.</p> <p>But it has. It has affected my priorities. She is my number one - there is nothing that would get in the way of her. I would quit the day it got in the way and wouldn't look back. So when she's sick, I'm home with her. I'm sure when she's old enough to tell me she doesn't want to go to daycare, I'll take a day off there too. I know that there are certain positions and levels where I couldn't be that flexible. I can't agree to manage a department, if I want to be home with her half the day. I know that I will make decision on my career - limiting my career - because she is number one. </p> <p>While I don't believe children are limiting. I do think there are certain roles (at least in my large company) - where I can't have the time with her that I have chosen. And I know I'll always choose her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006551 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 10:33:19 +0000 babynumber1 2006551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely not. My company is family friendly and I was even hired while pregnant. Family comes first is the expectation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006516 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 10:09:59 +0000 californiadreams 2006516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i guess it is all perspective but I feel like my career has impacted starting my family (the reverse). I chose to do a doctorate degree and work full time, but it took longer than I hoped and therefore had kids later than I wanted and am working full time to build my career after recently graduating (and make money after living the student life for so long!), but I wish I could be a SAHM for a few years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006421 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 09:00:19 +0000 yoursilverlining 2006421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and no. Yes because the company I worked for when I was pregnant and when LO was an infant was high stress and not family-friendly (my direct manager told me that working mothers are the reason that the US is in the mess it’s in today, and other lovely sentiments, on a regular basis once I announced I was pregnant). I was definitely mommy-tracked as soon as LO was born; it was day and night the way I was treated prior to and after pregnancy. </p> <p>However, having left that company, I have definitely not been mommy-tracked at the company I’m at now, which is a very family-friendly company in general. The team I’m on, almost everyone has kids, and it’s an all-female team and they are very supportive of a work/life balance. </p> <p>I’m also lucky to have a partner who doesn’t put his career over mine: when LO is sick, it’s not the default that I have to take the day off, or that I have to leave work. That helps a lot. I also haven’t mommy-tracked myself because I continue to move forward, seeking out new assignments/opportunities for movement up the ladder. So, in the end, I don’t feel that having kids has really affected my career. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006395 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:42:50 +0000 nana87 2006395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the short term, yes for sure-- It has definitely slowed down my dissertation. I was only able to get about a third/half of my research done because of needing to be home for prenatal appointments (I need to travel a bunch for it) and then I took a whole 6 months basically off and am now only part time. IN the long term I don't know if it'll matter-- I don't think it matters to my career when I finish and go on the academic job market, the trick is just finding funding to support my research until then </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006361 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:21:06 +0000 looch 2006361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose to leave my job because of childcare limitations, but when I was ready to get back to work, I didn't find it to be a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006359 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:19:09 +0000 LBee 2006359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: This exactly. I joke at my office that I leave at 5:00:00. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006350 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:08:56 +0000 Mama Bird 2006350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, definitely. I worked my behind off before DS was born because I knew I was going to need a big favor from my boss afterwards. I asked her to let me work from home for a couple of months when my three-month leave was up. A few others have done that (mostly because of medical issues, a couple of people because they moved out of state), but it's frowned on in my office unless you have a Really Good Reason. I was working as hard as before, got some insanely difficult stuff done, and never dropped any balls... but I think it looked to a lot of people like I was slacking off. </p> <p>I did end up taking on more responsibility partly because of the pregnancy (I was in office more managing things, because I couldn't do as many field assignments), and partly just because I was ready. This was great, but I still had to work so hard to erase the perception that I'm a slacker, and I almost left the job because I felt my effort wasn't valued. It's true though, that I just can't put in the hours I used to, unless DS is nice and goes to bed on time so I can work evenings from home.</p> <p>I guess I could have made a different choice and just showed up in the office when DS was three months, and kept it up with the overtme and stuff. But that's just not what I live for, so I'd rather deal with the hit to my career. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006292 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 07:03:55 +0000 illumina 2006292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. I quit working to be a SAHM and I've realised when I go back to work I don't want to do what I was doing before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006266 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 05:35:05 +0000 Rocker2014 2006266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It has definitely affected it, but I'm not sure how yet. I go back to work after my maternity leave on Monday starting a brand new job, same field but much more of an administrative/leadership position. I loved my last job, but it required being on call literally all the time and came with some inherent physical dangers. When this new opportunity came up, the fact that I was pregnant inspired me to fight harder to get this new job that would allow me to have a much better work/life balance. That being said,this new job is a giant step forward career wise, so I'm hoping that it ends up being positive for both my family and my career. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006263 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 04:32:26 +0000 Cherrybee 2006263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It has actually affected mine positively! I have never been very driven career wise, preferring to stick to low stress roles. Once E was here I had an incentive to take on more - I was promoted 4 months after returning from maternity leave and when I start thinking "this is too hard, why am I even bothering" I just look at E and remember what it is all for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006257 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 04:13:06 +0000 lamariniere 2006257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not necessarily. I had a job, but not a career, before having LO1. I ended up quitting to SAH and was able to turn that into freelance WAH for something that is much more interesting and enriching for me. That said, we also moved abroad just after Lo1 turned 1, and in our current location it would be difficult for me to find an office job because of the language barrier. So WAH has actually been the best possible solution for our current situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006225 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:30:02 +0000 BandDmommy 2006225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I had to quit working because of LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006220 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:18:01 +0000 BSB 2006220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haven't started a family yet, so my career has progressed but not by choice. I mean ever year, I'm not pregnant I'm growing and learning new things at my job. Not completely different from not TTC because I do have a lot of fertility related appointments that takes away from focus I could put towards work. So I would say just regular chronic stress &amp; pressure from TTC for a long time. But probably not how my career would be affected if I had a LO right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006193 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:25:31 +0000 sunny 2006193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely yes in a negative way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006185 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:00:29 +0000 Corduroy 2006185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a promotion after maternity leave and I survived layoffs but I feel like I'm not doing as good of a job. I am really feeling that way now that I'm pregnant with #2. </p> <p>I'm somewhat lucky that my male coworker had a baby at that same time as me (and his wife is expecting again) and his output has slowed as much or more than mine and he sticks to the same hours I do. I think that kind of tempers expectations.</p> <p>I do feel that I work more efficiently now and my BS/time waste detector is super good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006172 Fri, 02 Jan 2015 00:13:35 +0000 Espion 2006172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, because I still work as hard at 36 weeks pregnant as I did not pregnant. And I will work as hard with two kids as I did with none. I'm going to have to miss some things, and that will be really tough, but I do have some flexibility in my schedule. And it really, really, <i>really</i> helps to have a DH who goes above and beyond. I couldn't do it without him. Hands down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006128 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 23:06:09 +0000 ElbieKay 2006128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not on paper, but ramping back after maternity leave was HARD. I felt like I was treading water for several months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006109 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 22:53:02 +0000 Mae 2006109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. I lost my primary job a few days before I had LO and didn't even start casually looking for another until she was like 4 or 5 months old because I was too overwhelmed. I'm sure if I'd not had her I would've hit things hard immediately and would be back to work by now. </p> <p>And with my side business, I've really put that on a slow burner this year because photographing weddings is SO time consuming I'm just not sure what my year is going to look like with a kid next year (esp with an unknown full-time job). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006104 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 22:49:31 +0000 Adira 2006104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, not at all. The year I had Xander, I got promoted. And while on this maternity leave, I just got a 10% raise. If anything, having kids has helped me! Most of my bosses have children, so it has given me something to bond with them about. And my immediate boss has submitted me for more opportunities because he purposely has wanted to include someone with children in certain things to ensure that perspective is included. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006091 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 22:30:54 +0000 blackbird 2006091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Actually, no, I don't think it has. Not negatively, anyways </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006087 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 22:27:38 +0000 Callalily 2006087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yin I'm in the same boat. I love staying home and it gave me a reason to leave my job that I hated. But I spent years working so hard to get my PhD and people think I'm strange for doing nothing with it now. I guess it might be good to work part time but don't even know where to start really. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006016 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 21:44:37 +0000 Smurfette 2006016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep! I can't find a new job cause most in my field require overtime at the first of the month. I can't due to DH traveling. I have to pick up LO. Luckily my job works with me but I feel stuck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2006004 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 21:37:18 +0000 yin 2006004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Starting a family allowed me to give myself a reason to quit my job at the time and become a SAHM. I was unhappy, and it wasn't an ideal job for me out of college. I wish I had more time to figure out a career path for myself. Instead I feel like I gave up, and I don't know how to get back in the work force when the time comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2005992 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 21:31:14 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2005992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure that it's hurt in particular, but I do have a partner who does a ton with the girls.</p> <p>On the other hand, if there was universal childcare and maternity leave that I might have performed better and been more productive than currently.</p> <p>I am definitely acutely aware of not becoming mommy tracked though... And with my second daughter I only took 3 days off. This time I'm taking two weeks after the baby comes home. Meanwhile my husband gets six weeks paid! He gets so much slack and everyone always rewards him for being such an awesome dad, while I definitely have to downplay my family at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2005939 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 21:10:53 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 2005939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work in an office with all guys, and I think NOT having children has definitely solidified my place there. </p> <p>I do feel like there is a double standard when I look company wide.<br /> I get the impression that the men that do participate a lot in the childcare responsibilities (like having to leave to pick up the kids from daycare) are congratulated or kind of favored with the sentiment like "Wow, these dads are so great taking on some the responsibilities of childcare." But I don't get that same feeling for women. It's more like "I'll guess we'll have to postpone the rest of the meeting because Mary has to pick up her kids."<br /> It's subtle, but it's definitely there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2005871 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:48:52 +0000 matador84 2005871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a promotion the year after I had my DS. I found out I was pregnant again after I started my new position. I'm SURE I wouldn't have gotten the job had I been visibly pregnant. </p> <p>It's gotten better as kids have gotten older, but I still can't get to work before 745 and have to leave by 530 daily, I'm fortunate I work in a pretty family-friendly field, but at the same time having a young family limits what I can do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2005869 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:48:23 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2005869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely. I used to be so focused on my career. Now I do a good job, but I don't put nearly the same effort into it that I used to. Family comes first </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2005866 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:47:15 +0000 Andrea 2005866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup. I gave up my career to be a SAHM for a variety of reasons. However, me being a SAHM greatly helps DH's career so there's that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-starting-a-family-affected-your-career#post-2005865 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:46:53 +0000 Greentea 2005865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh for sure. I just don't have the time to work the way I did before. I have to say, it has also made me more motivated, so it has been a positive impact as well. </p>