How did you balance a mid-senior corporate career and young children?

[7Worfs]

I’m late 30s and about to return to work from mat leave (last child).

My current job is very convenient - 8am to 4pm WFH, no business trips, 37 days annual leave, very good salary, good pension.

The downsides - it’s really uninspiring, no opportunities to learn and grow, and earn, further.
So if I stay put for the next 5 (10?) years, my salary will stagnate and I will be out of the growing/striving mindset. I will have to coast until retirement, underpaid and bored out of my mind…

If my children were grown up I’d already be looking for the next step up, but they are tiny and they need me now (and I them).

What did you do / would do in my situation?

@NineToFiveish thank you! L&D is a really interesting area. I’m in an adjacent area myself.

@Kitcaterpillar I agree, my main concern is/was, what if the “itchy feet” disappear for good as I get older.

You're writing women yourself off too soon. If you have a period where you step back now, you absolutely can pick it back up in 5/8 years' time. The most important things is to keep working, getting back after a period away altogether is much harder.

Also, in the corporate world, part time work is becoming much more the thing for both men and women. I've work with senior staff, male and female who do PT hours for all sorts of reasons, not just caring responsibilities.

When my DC were born (when I was 30 and 32) I went to 2 days pw. I was very good and worked really hard, kept all my contacts going, travelled when necessary, but I only worked 2 days. Then when they started school I got a promotion and managed to negotiate my normal 2 long days plus school hours for the other 3.

TBH it was harder to keep everything going once they got into junior school and I burned out. I took voluntary redundancy and after a few months off started at the bottom in another career entirely. I've just this week (at 52) interviewed for a director level post in the 2nd career.

You're way to young to think that backing off for a few years now means it's all over.

I went back to work a few months ago. I absolutely could not be without a nanny. It has made things far easier - no rushing for drop off/pick ups. Baby's laundry done, etc.

@7worfs I just look at expensive things I'd like to buy/ trips to Hawaii if mine fade 😂

@Waydown Thank you, that is really reassuring, to hear from someone who’s been on a very interesting path. And good luck with the job you are interviewing for (or another senior one you’d like)! 😊

@Kitcaterpillar Now that’s what I call a life hack 🤭

I'm only going to bullet point as I haven't got much time (6am here, time to get up)

• Two careers each on 3 or 4 days in the office works best for happy relationship, happy kids. Seek to share, not have one 'big job' and one sahp .
• For young kids, if you have to both of you work long hours, then nanny gives better home life as kids aren't needing drop offs/pickups/sick days/tired days. Seek a nanny who tidies and does laundry (IME older women who have had children are good bets as nannies as they know what it's like to come home after work to folded laundry and a clean house, instead of a mess. Younger ones don't get it).
• It gets easier as you get more senior and you get more financial independence.
• Prioritise lovely holidays with the children instead of day to day grind. Your kids won't remember who cleaned the loo or folded the washing. Outsource grind; buy quality time.
• I felt like I was only really coasting/surviving until my youngest was six. Thats 12 years!! Bosses said I was performing great so don't be too hard on yourself. No one expects you to be perfect!!
• In my experience there are ALOT of very average, underwhelming men in careers way above their ability. They do a shit job and get away with it because they continue to show up, day after day.
• I'm now in a very senior role and career as absolutely thriving. Mid 40s. 30s were about survival.
• Children are a joy. Make time for experiencing them. It WILL slip away fast.

Thank you for the detailed reply, @Avarua2 I’m taking it all onboard 😊