To not be particularly ambitious careerwise

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Just that really. Am 47 with 2 kids under 11. Life is busy. I'm in a fairly well paid job, 4 day week. Some of my colleagues have gone on to management but like me some haven't bothered. I suppose it's a confidence issue with me but would find it hard to manage people. I think you nearly just need a hard neck or something to manage people rather than qualifications. No insult intended to managers! Just feel maybe I'm wasting years cos I've no particular ambition to move 'up'. I dunno. Feeling a bit lost at moment with where my life is at. Bit down I suppose. Any advice appreciated ☹️

I guess it depends what you feel happy with. I’ve got young kids, part time job and am happy where I am. Feel like I have a good work life balance, we can afford day to day stuff and the odd treat day out. I don’t want to move up and have to be in charge of people- looks like a lot more paperwork and boring meetings to me!!
But I have a friend and a sibling who are very ambitious, they work long long hours and very hard for their sizeable wage. But it’s not for me.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
If you are content with your working life, don’t question it!

Do you enjoy your job? My late mother was a primary teacher all her days - loved, loved, loved it. Never sought promotion of any kind because she said it would reduce her classroom contact time.

If you’re happy as you are, then you’re in a more fortunate position than many and I wouldn’t waste time fretting about lack of ambition. The fact that you say you feel a bit lost suggests otherwise though.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it: a lot of people put a higher premium on quality time with family and friends and more time for other things.

I do believe it’s vital for a woman with children to have some financial independence from their husband to protect themselves and to retain a sense of self outside being a mother and wife. But the latter doesn’t have to come from your career.

It sounds like you may feel in a bit of a rut generally though. Do you have any other hobbies or interests? Are you insufficiently challenged by what you do?

Some people are fine with where they are because going 'up the ranks' in a job isn't their priority, because like you said life is busy and that's absolutely fine! As long as you're happy where you are it doesn't matter.

I'm in a pretty well paid finance related role. I'm happy doing 4 days a week 8 til 4 and just sitting at my current middle level and coasting because that allows me more time for my young family. I'm surrounded by people who are desperate to get to the top role asap (which pays a huge salary in my line of work - 200k plus). I'm just... not bothered! DH and I can live pretty well on our current salaries and would rather not take on extra responsibilities at work