is job satisfaction or fitting in with family more important

[Feelingsensitive]

Would you or have you taken a job at a lower level to accomodate children/family needs?
Or do you think job satisfaction/status should come first?

I am having a dilemma. I used to have a professional specialised job. I left a few years ago to look after the DCs. No family support and DH works abroad alot. I have decided to return to work and luckily been given two opportunities. One working locally, flexible, little child care needed and part time (15 hours) in an admin type post (not going to say exactly what as I don't wish to offend!). The other is my old job which I trained many years to be in, will require 2 hours travel per day (hour each way) and alot of childcare and 28 hours a week .

When you take out travel and childcare both pay about the same. Long term I think they will be fairly even.

WWYD?

Do you really think long term they'll work out even? It's a really tough one, but you are only talking about a 28 hour week and a 1 hour commute each way for your old job. That's not horrible hours. So I'd be tempted to look at the long term prospects. Which would you get most satisfaction from? Which will pay more long term? Which has the best career prospects long term? If you really think they'll even out then there's no contest, having the job nearby where you get more family time would be the winner. But if it frustrated you and you felt like your skills were wasted then it might not be.

Personally I chose to be around for the kids until they reached junior school, so only worked very part time and not in the holidays. Now they're in juniors I'm going back almost full time, but still would never take a job that meant missing school assemblies and christmas concerts. No job is worth that to me, but I respect anyone who chooses to or has to work those hours.

Thank you. Some good points. The professional job in my view has limited prospects which may sound odd but its such a specialised area. The admin job feels as though it has potential to elad else where when I am ready if only because I would want it to and it gives me some skills I don't currently have. Think I am going to opt for the admin role and review in 6 months. I am pretty confident I would be able to get back into the other place again. Thank you again.