squashing ambition

[Janeyaney]

hi all
I've been back at work for 5 months after maternity leave. Long story, but whilst I was off a team member took it upon himself to be manager as the proper position was vacant for over a year. He has been promoted. Our new manager has arrived now (started 3 weeks ago) and is great. However, in the wider team, we had an email yesterday to say various other people were being promoted.
My initial reaction was for my seed of ambition to start growing. However, I wfh 4 days a week and am only in the office 1 day a week (this is as I live in the Midlands and the office is in London) so I feel that I am being overlooked for some things even though I want this set up.
Truth is, I'm just about managing with looking after my daughter and working full time and in reality, I can't take on anything else right now. I suppose I'm just looking for some confirmation that it's normal to ignore some work ambition because the reality is that I can't do everything. It's just hard that I can't do everything to the same level that I did before having my little girl. :(

I like this post as it is sensible! You have asked to WFH and yes therefore you are not in peoples faces and will get ignored however good the management is. I work FT and raising a child and doing that is more than enough of a job. Also you are only just back at work, I took a back seat at work for a good 3 years before I started kicking my ambition in again and gave them 100% of myself. Give it time, enjoy the baby days and sit it out, if they are a good company they will know when you are ready - good luck

Yes don't worry about not being as ambitious for a while, it's like most other things in life - it comes and goes, so it's perfectly natural to focus on home life for a while and just get the current job done in work.

There's a saying in a shop window that I pass every day "We can't all be heroes - someone has to sit on the curb and cheer as the parade goes by".

I had a convo in work two days ago about a team member who for their own reasons is exactly where they want to be and has no interest in any progression. They are getting the job done, but just don't want to move on. I think sometimes a person like this can be negatively perceived in work when the general expectation is that everyone should be champing at the bit for recognition and progress, even though they may be the backbone of the team. Sometimes managing the high expectations of the others is more problematic in the current job climate.

Just make sure your manager knows a) what you are currently doing at home (regular updates, emails etc to keep you in their mind) and b) also have a discussion regularly (once/twice a year) about their expectations of you and your expectations of them.

Also, let your manager know that you don't expect to be in your current position forever - and when you feel the stirrings of wanting a change, make sure you give them a heads up as soon as possible - I know myself if someone gives lots of notice about wanting a change/advancement, it's much easier to manage.

Enjoy your baby!

Hi, I've been back at work 6 years now and I am only now really considering trying to progress and even then I can only commit so much. My youngest is now 9 and eldest 11 and in the first year of Secondary School. My husband has a full on job and even at the ages my children are, I think that is difficult for both parents to have full on full time jobs. I suppose it depends on how much support you have with family and whether you can get someone in to do some of the household chores. I find fitting everything in around my current hours is hard enough so much more would leave me totally exhausted, and tbh given how much extra I would earn I'm not sure the extra effort at work is worth the sacrifice.
I think you have to focus on what works for you as a family and what makes you happy, and if that is staying at your current level for the time being, then just do that!
MLx

I've been back at work just over a year and in a similar position - I think it's really difficult to balance these things. I would like another child in the not too distant future and this seems to complicate things further! Really useful comments...thanks