https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 04:06:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2393581 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 12:30:14 +0000 Finfan 2393581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved when LO1 was a baby so I could take a more family-friendly job (jobs in my field are spread out). It was a big risk but has worked out wonderfully. Now that we have a second LO, not much should change except taking more sick time for the kids and their appointments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2393376 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 09:55:03 +0000 DillonLion 2393376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Exactly the same (hours, workload, etc.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2393272 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 08:28:55 +0000 Freckles 2393272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After my second I decided to work from home 4x a week and in the office 1x. I leave at 4pm but I always end up working in the evenings after the kid go to bed.</p> <p>I am fortunate to have a very understanding boss. As long as work gets done, she doesn't care what my hours are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2393253 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 07:53:01 +0000 Mae 2393253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My priorities and availability just totally changed. Before I had LO I was working as a litigator and my normal hours were 8-6 and often I worked for a bit after dinner as well at home or on weekends. I was on call literally 24/7. I got midnight calls. I got holiday calls. I was working on Christmas eve from my laptop in my parents home office. A lot of my clients had my cell phone number so I got calls on weekends a LOT. And I was pretty fine with all of that. </p> <p>My position was eliminated the week before I had LO and I thought I'd find another job and go right back to work. Then LO got here and we decided I'd take a little longer off. I started seriously looking for work when she was 8 months old. But I was just totally unwilling to work that number of hours anymore. I'm also totally unwilling to (regularly) work nights and weekends or be constantly on call. It took me 11 months of serious looking to find a job because all the jobs I saw or were offered required too many hours. And I was exceedingly honest with interviewers that work/life balance is my top priority at this point in my career and if they are going to have a problem with my leaving to make daycare pick up daily then I'm not the person for them. Before LO I would never have been so bold to state my prioritizing my personal life over work. </p> <p>I'm very lucky that I did find a job that is extremely understanding about my priorities and willingness to work certain hours. I'll be working an early-adjusted schedule of 7:30-4:30 (maybe even 4, hoping I can take just a half hour lunch and get out earlier, but we'll see how it goes). They are setting me up to work remotely as well so that days when I'm sick I can WFH if I choose and not have to take vacation days for that. I've also been promised that work beyond those normal hours will be very rare and when/if it occurs I can WFH after bedtime or weekends to get it done. I think this is as family-friendly as possible in my field. (But it is not without sacrifices. My new position is a "lower" position than what I left, and I definitely turned down opportunities that were more helpful to my long-term career). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2393243 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 07:42:39 +0000 Tanjowen 2393243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Went from a FT position to a PT position (2 days a week) in a separate county and different office. It was a really hard transition at first because I loved my old job, but it really has been the best of both worlds for our family. And eliminated the need for daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2393228 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 06:45:36 +0000 jape14 2393228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work an earlier schedule now. Before LO, I usually worked 9:30-6/6:30. Now I work 7:30/8-4ish. It works out great bc my direct supervisor works early hours, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2393218 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 06:05:13 +0000 catomd00 2393218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still love my job but my career path isn't a priority as much anymore. I don't have the desire right now to push forward into upper management roles that require more time in the office or more stress on me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2393210 Fri, 18 Dec 2015 04:43:49 +0000 Purpledaisy 2393210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I cut my hours in half. I wanted to be home more. Working part time is the best of both worlds for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392801 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:33:44 +0000 Modern Daisy 2392801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The job itself didn't change but all of my pto days are now used to pick up DS when he is sick. It's been hard for our families to understand why I can never take vacations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392723 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:45:14 +0000 megjay18 2392723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>the only thing that changed for me was that now i have to leave "on-time" and if i need to finish something up, i'll do it after the kids go to bed instead of just staying late and doing it. it makes for long days sometimes, but in the end, it's worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392605 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:55:45 +0000 littlejoy 2392605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work for myself (I run a design studio). Before LO, I worked "full time". I took lots of breaks for naps, and brunches, etc. It was pretty sweet. After LO, I've struggled majorly to find a work/life balance. Obviously, I don't do brunches anymore.</p> <p>We had a nanny at first, but I only had 15 hours per week dedicated to work, which was not enough. It was a super big struggle, and my work reflected it. </p> <p>Now, LO is in daycare. I have 28 hours of work each week. It's still not enough, but I'll take it over 15 hours, for sure! I often work evenings and early weekend mornings. I'm usually meeting deadlines, but not without super stressful days of working non-stop.</p> <p>I don't know ... I'm the worst when people want to talk about stress/anxiety related to being a working parent. I haven't found a way to feel settled, and I'm always stressed. The bummer is that my income is absolutely needed. Sigh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392593 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:51:57 +0000 lamariniere 2392593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ended up quitting after being full time. I transitioned to WAH when my son was 6 weeks old and have developed my own business. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392311 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:08:36 +0000 autumnleaves 2392311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't make it to after work get togethers anymore like happy hours - I want to get home and see my LO. My PTO goes to either taking care of LO when he is sick and needs to stay home from daycare or to recover from being sick myself - definitely I have been more sick since having LO. And the promotions aren't as important as the flexibility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392309 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:07:53 +0000 cascademom 2392309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I returned to the same job after both kids. Prior to returning the second time, I was doing some work at home a few days a week. We moved about 6 weeks after my maternity leave ended. I work from home more so that there's someone in the area to tend to the kids if they need a parent for daycare stuff. My husband and I trade off on work at home days too depending upon office meetings, etc. It's not perfect, but I can keep up with kids, work, and laundry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392304 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:06:15 +0000 ValentineMommy 2392304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dropped a few hours, so I work 4 days, instead of 5. Same job and position....just a few less hours. </p> <p>I also work at home 2x a week, but I did that before having kids too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392298 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:02:35 +0000 Ash 2392298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work the same job but I dropped my hours down to only working one shift a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392294 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:59:58 +0000 yoursilverlining 2392294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I returned to the same position, same hours after having LO but was brutally mommy-tracked by an immediate supervisor who thought (and told everyone, including me) that women should stay home with their children. I then changed positions within that same company to a better position (and manager), then left that company and moved to a much better company – I do somewhat similar work, but have more responsibility. I was/am salaried, full time at both companies. </p> <p>Only real change for me is that I don't work as late as I used to on a regular basis because I have to pick up LO from daycare before 6. So I do a fair amount of quick WTF in the evenings after LO has gone to bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392255 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:45:17 +0000 Smurfette 2392255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I changed roles before I got pregnant knowing that once I had a baby I wouldn't be able to stay till 7 4-5 nights a month. DH travels for work so I do drop off and pick up most days. I also got my hours to 8:00-4:30 due to traffic/travel and day care hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392220 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 12:13:25 +0000 gingerbebe 2392220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I returned to the same job on a half-time basis. Most days I work 3 days a week from 8am-330pm with a 30 minute lunch. Commute is 30 minutes each way, so I'm out of the house from 730am to 4pm. We do a rotating standby schedule so I have one night every few weeks I have to stay late and we have 3-4 times a year when its super busy and I am expected to put in as much time as necessary to get my assignments done, but they are usually predictable times of year that we can try to plan for additional coverage.</p> <p>Its been nice while DS had grandmacare, since I didn't have to add daycare drop off and pick up to my commute. But starting in January, he will start daycare, and while I'll only have to handle pick up and drop off one of my working days, I'm still dreading it because its adds 15 minutes each way. </p> <p>I'm going on maternity leave in mid-April so we'll have to see how having 2 kids is going to work out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392189 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:52:21 +0000 lilteacherbee 2392189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I quit teaching for several reasons after LO2 was born , one being that with DH and I both teaching, there were so many nights we were required to do extra stuff and that doesn't even include all the time at home doing lesson plans, grading, etc. Now, I'm a PT WAHM (for the most part) as a photographer. A much better fit for our family and as I was burnt out teaching, I'm happier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392181 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:46:11 +0000 catlady 2392181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I returned to my old job. The only change is that I can't stay late anymore because I need to pick up LO from daycare. If it's absolutely critical for me to get something done, I'll work on it at night from home.</p> <p>Oh, and I use my PTO mostly for days when LO is sick. No more personal days and we don't go on as many vacations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392177 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:41:49 +0000 snowjewelz 2392177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nothing really.. I just don't really OT anymore! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392173 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:37:58 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2392173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not really change. I would like to look at going back to a 7:30-4:30 schedule or even a 7:30-4 schedule with only a half hour lunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392171 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:36:18 +0000 petunia354 2392171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It only changed my hours. Pre DS I worked 50+ hrs/week but after having him I only work 35 and it is seriously life changing. I still have most of the same duties so while at work I am busting ass, but it's worth it to be able to spend more time with my son and have more time to make meals and get stuff done around the house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392168 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:32:26 +0000 avivoca 2392168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I returned to my old job. At first, I was allowed to miss evening events here and there, but as H has gotten older and supervisors have changed, I have to attend almost all of them. They are really helpful with working with me when T is traveling (basically, I refuse to work evening events because I'd have to hire a babysitter and they are okay with that). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392165 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:30:52 +0000 blackbird 2392165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I returned to my old job, so it's basically the same. I work part time here until T is a year old, but i'm also getting clinical hours, so i work a few evening/weekend shifts a week in an emergency room. So, a whole lot more crazy :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392154 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:24:03 +0000 BandDmommy 2392154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went from being WOHM, to SAHM, to WAHM. My employer was too demanding so I had to quit to deal with my child's daycare issues. I hated being a SAHM, so now I'm a WAHM. It's the best of both worlds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392148 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:18:36 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2392148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a teacher so the job doesn't really change, but I refuse o work on nights and weekends (grading papers) so I'm much more productive during the day. I also took a position where I support other teachers for pet of the day which again means, fewer papers!</p> <p>But I'm considering moving up to admin next year where I will have to work much later...it's a really tough decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-work-change-after-having-kids#post-2392144 Thu, 17 Dec 2015 11:16:11 +0000 mediagirl 2392144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you worked full time before you had kids and continued to work after kids, how did your work/work environment change after the kids arrived?</p> <p>Before I had my daughter, I traveled for work. After I had her, they let me stay in the office for a year since I was pumping. After that year, I was moved into a different position and in the past year I moved into an internal sales position so I don't have to travel except for once a year anymore (for our big convention). Huge relief for me. I don't have the flexible schedule like a lot of people but I'm glad to not have to travel and miss my family as much anymore.</p> <p>How did your work change after having kids? Or did it not change at all? </p>