Anyone taken a big step-down career wise...and then been able to step back up?

[RandomHouseRules]

Hello. I am considering applying for a new job for when my mat leave ends (DC2) as have thoroughly hated current job over last couple of years. I'm reasonably senior in PR in a big company. It is long hours but pretty good money. I'm fortunate in that I can afford to earn less money due to DH's job - although couldn't be a SAHM even if I wanted to be. Have seen a job advertised that has similar skills to my own but is a junior role. However, it would also teach me some new things as it is not a job in PR - complementary skills if you see what I mean. I think there's a risk that after 12 months in the job (if I got it) I'd probably get a bit bored. However, it is literally on my doorstep, I could commute to work, pick up the DCs at nice times of day and it would be a non-stress job in comparison with my current one. This is EXACTLY what I think I need for the next few years while my DCs are very young. However, in the long term I think I'd want to step back up into something a bit more exciting, stimulating and better paid.

Has anyone done this, or is it basically impossible. If I step out of the rat race, will I struggle to ever step back in?

thanks!

Have nothing constructive to add except that I have done the same. DS2 is now at pre-school and I'm starting to get twitchy and want something with a bit more status.

I'm hoping lots of people are going to come on here with some positive advice!

I did it. Am in a "profession" but don't know if that's relevant or not.

Worked odd part-time bits self-employed when DCs were very young, took a 3 day a week jobshare when they were 9 and 6 but found it too hard so went back to self-employed after a few months. Took a part-time term-time contract when they were 13 and 10 which worked well until they left school. Returned to a "proper job" as the youngest went to uni and love it!

One thing I would warn you is that, practically, I found it harder working as they got a bit older than when they were very little as I felt they needed ME rather than just someone to keep them safe, fed and watered. I could never find a good time to return to work till they grew up

That's reassuring.

Although I agree, I worry more about leaving my 6 year old than my 3 year old. He needs me for reading, spellings, extra encouragement and it's not as easy to contract that out.

Thanks both. When I said I could commute to work, I meant I could WALK to work - I.e. it's so close to home and that would hopefully give me more time with the children in mornings and evenings than now (I have a 45 min commute each way). Interesting that you say it gets harder as they get older.

Any other people with thoughts?