If you changed jobs after having kids, what do you do now?

[pinksnowball]

DH and I both work nearly full time in fairly demanding, corporate type jobs. I'm fed up of the work/life juggle and want to spend more time with my DC and just generally have more 'headspace' and feel less stressed out.

I've felt like this pretty much since DD1 was born but I've stuck it out for a while to build up savings, fund our recent house move and keep mat pay entitlement for DD2 (kids are now 4 and 1 and no plans for any more!)

I'm now starting to research what job I could do. I need to keep working but we've done the calculations and we can afford for it to be something less corporate and part time. I need ideas!

I have a background in project management and HR and have qualifications in both. I am happy to keep working in an office but I do not want to line manage anybody anymore. I'd prefer to work 3-4 days a week maximum. Working from home would be ideal but not essential.

I tried going part time in my current role and just ended up in the trap of working full time hours for part time pay so I don't want to go down that route again.

Grateful for any ideas and experiences!

Anyone?

I would look at universities near you. Lots will take people with corporate experience. Jobs.ac.uk or look on idividual websites. In my experience I have benefited from a shorter working week, flexible hours, good annual leave, xmas closure etc.

Might it depend on the company you work for? So I stayed an accountant but went from Big 4 to in-house which led to a massive improvement in my work life balance.

Project management and HR would work in in. Local authority. Pay will likely be less, but before I left (not job related) I was getting 30 days A/L, flexible working, and there were often job share opportunities

And the 8 bank hols on top

Thank you for the ideas! I'll definitely have a look at local authorities and universities.

I've wondered about being a PA if I could find a jobshare/part time opportunity as I used to do that kind of work years ago and enjoyed it. People have warned me against it though as it depends so much on the personality of the person you work for.

I’m in the same position OP, though with a different professional background.

I’m currently exploring retraining as a speech and language therapist, which is something I’m very interested in, and is family friendly (depending on what route you go down).