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Original poster

Perfect job for starting a family, but I’m restless

30 replies

elsamayy · 26/08/2025 08:58

I’m 37 and in a director-level role at a big corporation. The pay is great, the setup is hybrid and very flexible, and over the years I’ve built up a solid reputation, which means that I don't have to constantly prove myself and my manager loves me. My partner and I want to start trying for a baby next year.

The issue is, I’m bored at work. I’ve been here a while and feel like I’ve hit a ceiling: there’s no real growth or challenge left. At the same time, I know how rare it is to have a job that’s this stable, well-paid, and family-friendly.

Objectively, it’s the perfect setup for pregnancy and early parenthood; they'd probably let me go part-time and allow for plenty of flexibility for pickups and emergencies. However, I feel restless already, and part of me worries I’ll feel even more stuck in a few years. But then again, I guess starting a family will absorb my focus for a while, so I won't care so much that my job isn't the most exciting.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Did you stick it out for the stability during pregnancy and early years, or did you make a move first? How would you plan your next steps in my position?

OP posts:

Original poster

elsamayy · 26/08/2025 12:08

Mushroo · 26/08/2025 11:06

Honestly you’d be mad to move.

Im in a boring job like you describe and it’s been a blessing with a small child.

Am I ready to move on? Absolutely

Could I have been in a new job in those first few months after mat leave? No.

if you start a new job, you won’t have that built up trust to work to your advantage and you might not qualify for enhanced mat leave.

Id stay in your current job, start ttc and move once you’re settled again post baby.

To test the waters set an alarm to go off every few hours during the night, spend around an hour an week on hold trying to get NHS doctors appointments sorted during work hours, and around once a month take a day off with zero notice, or find someone that has to be available with no notice willing to look after a package containing a human virus.

Now imagine doing all of the above in a new job where you’re trying to create a good impression.

Your description/comparison really conveys the idea 😬

OP posts:

NotMeekNotObedient · 26/08/2025 13:50

Echoing what PPs have said. I would stay but ttc straight away. That still gives you plenty of time to move in together.

A well paid, flexible job which wants to keep you is not the one to be ditching prior to mat leave. I found going back to work hard. I also said I was one and done and meant it, and 4 years later I'm pregnant again.

Motherhood will change you and your outlook massively.

EleventyThree · 26/08/2025 14:02

Once you have a baby, you'll probably be grateful for a job that is boring and doesn't challenge you much - home life will be challenging enough. 😁 Personally I'd stay in the job and think about moving on to something different once the child is older.

Also, it's common for many women to care much less about their job after having a baby. It's just so all-consuming.

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Mcoco · 28/08/2025 19:02

Happyelephants · 26/08/2025 09:09

I think you'd be crazy to move - you'd be starting a new job and planning on going on maternity leave quickly, if things went faster than expected, you could end up with no maternity pay, or managed out on some pre-text.

Your new company could feel that it was a deliberate move, which would be true, and there would be resentment, which would hamper your career, or lead to you being managed out.

You've proved yourself in your current role, even if they wanted to let you go while pregnant, it would beva lot more difficult for them.

You have the perfect job to start trying for a baby right away - you need to ask yourself why you're postponing, which will make getting pregnant more difficult, and thinking of moving job, which would mean you could end up delaying TCC till you're established there.

Do you really want to have children, as it does read as if there's a bit of self-sabotage going on. It's perfectly OK not to want children by the way, but you need to discuss with your husband.

Totally agree

SweatyAugust · 28/08/2025 19:06

If you want children get on with it. You have no idea if it will happen straight away and I assume you want more than one? The job you describe is perfect for the brain fog of parenting small children.
You will have plenty of time to move careers later but this is your only chance to be a parent.
No one lies on their death bed wishing they had spent more time at work.

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