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I would take the new job. Having flex hours is very helpful for me. Yes, I wish I had one more day a week at home with my daughter, but having the ability to flex my hours is really helpful (I work a lot of night events, so I can use that time to supplement elsewhere).

@JoJoGirl: Sounds like a really great opportunity for you! I would go for it.

My employer is great about a flex schedule and I love it. On days when I have my LO's doctor appts I schedule them for as late in the day as possible, and then make up that time working from home that night after he's in bed. The new company sounds pretty reasonable - especially with you already being able to work from home one day a week. Maybe you can do something similar for appointments?

@JoJoGirl: I just try and schedule them first thing or last thing so I just can leave work early. Worse case I make up the time after she goes to bed but I rarely have to do that. There have been times were I have to take PTO to take her to the doctor.

@JoJoGirl: We try to schedule them as early in the morning as possible. I'm able to go in later. My supervisors are also flexible if I need to leave to pick her up sick from daycare.

basically the short term will suck. 4 less weeks of mat leave and 8 more hours of work isn't fun but it sounds like the long term benefits would outweigh that for me. It's hard, there are some days I only see my kid two hours a day, but you work with what you have. I make that time count and I make weekends count and while my work life balance favors work, I don't hate my life.

Having done both the compressed workweek and more of a flex/wfh schedule, I'll take the wfh option any day. While I loved having a day off completely free of obligations (and extra time to spend with DS), I found it didn't help my work-life balance much. Now that I'm able to WFH more, I get lifekeeping things done in increments throughout the week and that frees me up to be more preset in the evenings and on the weekends.

The mat leave situation DOES suck in comparison, but if there's potential for flexibility perhaps you could transition back by WFH full- or part-time initially? It sounds like a great opportunity overall. Good luck!

@JoJoGirl: I try to schedule doctor appointments 1st thing or last so I leave early or show up late. But I'm very lucky that I'm salary and my hours are not clocked. Basically if you do your work well, you are not questioned.

@JoJoGirl: just want to say that I understand the stress you are feeling. I just went through it a few months ago. Changing jobs is so much harder when you have children to worry about. It's not just about you anymore.

I didn't read all the responses but your future set-up sounds a lot like my current one. I work 8:00-5:00 MTWR and WFH on Friday. I have my baby with me on Friday and make-up the extra work time after he's in bed at night and keep up with stuff on the weekends. Does your partner have any flexibility? My DH works 10- 7 and stays home on Monday so we only have a nanny 9:30-5:30 TWR. This honestly has so far been a dream arrangement for us, both DH and I get a lot of quality time with him and he gets the nanny as a new, exciting face.

I would go for it! Sounds like a great opportunity. The flexibility is key. I sometimes wish I could work 32 instead of 40 (45 including lunch) because my schedule is not at all flexible, but I think it would work at 40 hrs with flexibility to work the hours you want each day.

I'd cross the maternity leave bridge once you are pregnant again (Sorry about your loss.)

I would take it! I'm a WAHM 2 out of 5 days. The other 3 I go into the office. You get to have Friday working from home.. the flexibility of the hours is what's key. I have flexibility with hours.. and honestly the days I work from home.. I definitely take some breaks here and there but when it's nap time I knock everything out. Then when DH gets home I spend about 45minutes wrapping stuff up. Then after DS goes to sleep I do any last minute stuff. It's DRAINING and I do feel the pressure sometimes but honestly worth it.

It sounds like financially and benefit wise the new job offers a lot more than what you have now and that's also extremely important. Maybe the increase in pay and/or the savings in health insurance can help pay for some extra non paid leave for baby #2 when the time comes. Or maybe you will do so awesome and the company will work with you on doing an extra two weeks of maternity leave on a part time basis.. or work from home basis. It's such a great opportunity with many benefits though. It's also really hard to have to give up time that you thought you'd have with baby #2 that you were able to have with baby #1.

What does your DH think?

@JoJoGirl: I think the deciding factor for me would be to ask "Am I happy doing what I am doing now for the next 4-7ish years without job advancement opportunity while your children and future children are still little."

If you are hungry for job advancement and think it is likely that you will look for other job opportunities in the next few years anyway, I would take the job. (Most of the items in your "pros" column are huge benefits over your current job).

Do you value that day off MORE than you value the benefits you would gain by moving?

Take it! I wahm 3-4 days a week and office the other days, the flex schedule is sooooo important when raising two littles! The commute time that is saved and used towards other things (work or personal) is so worth it! You won't even notice the extra 8 hours! If financially you're not taking a hit, I would definitely do it!

And as far as the maternity leave time, I took 12 weeks last time and 14 this time and there really isn't a difference, plus w there flex schedule it makes the transition WAY easier.

@JoJoGirl: Good luck!