Just turned down a promotion.....

[chloechloe]

.... and now I'm kicking myself!

I went back to work at the start of the year and have a 3yo and a 14mo. I'm doing 4 days with 2 from home as I have a 2.5 hour round commute. Completely out of the blue, I've been offered my first managerial role on a plate. I turned it down as it would have meant losing one of my home office days and, I anticipate, working more hours than I am now.

I'm now kicking myself though as opportunities like this don't come along very often and I don't know if I'll be so fortunate again. But my children are already in nursery all day and it would have meant them being picked up by a babysitter 2 days a week and me only have seeing the baby for an hour before putting her in bed on those days.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this really - maybe just for reassurance that I've done the right thing!

[becki3]

I think that this shows that your gut instinct was the right one?
You might have felt just as guilty, maybe even more so, if you weren't with your little ones even less often.
Don't worry, it sounds like you're capable of climbing the ladder, so another opportunity will come along and you'll be 100% ready!

[Thierryhenryneedisaymore]

Dont feel bad. You went with your gut instinct. There will be another opportunity when timing is better.

[FanSpamTastic]

There will be other opportunities in the future.

I am finally back on my career path 16 years after taking a step back for my dc. I occasionally think about where I could be if I had not taken the "mummy track". But I would not trade my time with my babies for any of the pay rises or promotions I could have had.

I have been a SAHP, worked part time in a non related to my old career job, worked from home, then gone back to my career on a part time school hours basis, then full time. I've just been promoted to a director level role.

I have no regrets. Do what feels right.

[Dingdong1975]

Don't feel bad, how many of us sacrifice our career for our family! Enjoy time with them while you can.

[Flicketyflack]

Trust tour first decision!

Work will always be there, your children are getting older each day enjoy it while you can 😊

It's such a shame men don't have this dilemma 😔

[chloechloe]

Thanks for the replies! I think now I've had a few days to come to terms with my decision I'm feeling a lot more confident that it's the right thing to do. At the beginning part of me was regretting the fact that I've passed over such a great career move. But it really would have meant more work and I already feel
like I'm at my limit. If would have been too big a sacrifice for my little girls.

The decision hasn't gone down well with the work addicted (female) boss who offered me the role - she said I could have used the pay rise to get a nanny !

[LadyLapsang]

If you have a partner, could they have used this opportunity to spend more time with the children / flex their role?

[Thierryhenryneedisaymore]

The work addicted female boss can say what she likes. You don't owe her an apology or justificayion for doing the right thing for your family. She doesn't get to make the decision for you. It would be worse to take it then burn yourself out. You said you are at your limit so sounds like the right decision.

[BurnstonesBabies]

Oh god, I'm the opposite....I got a promotion to full time in a very coveted role in my industry. After being pt for 10 years, i start back ft this week.
I'm just 20 minutes from home, have 3 DC, youngest is about to be 4. DH has own business and has a home office but also travels worldwide several times a year.
I'm very stressed tonight that I've wrecked the great home-life balance I've had for a decade. I'm worrying about my girls....but I'm trying to focus on what a great chance I've been given and that everything happens for a reason.
Wish me luck!