Comments on: Would you take a pay cut for more time with your kids? http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/ Thoughts and commentary on the daily juggle betweek work and family Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:42:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Susan http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16965 Susan Mon, 26 May 2008 17:44:41 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16965 I have an exciting public relations job working with celebrities and doing all sorts of star-studded events and activities. I'm "in the game," movin' and shakin' it but always trying to balance my need to work with my desire to be a good mom. In my heart of hearts, I am a writer, so am about to officially launch my blog about mid-life moms to try and make a go of it (I've worked as a newspaper reporter and my PR job means I'm writing press releases all the time - but I want to say what I want to say!) I am working harder than ever to try to get to the life where I am creatively fulfilled and able to be home with my kids more. I have lots of friends trying to figure out just what it is they are going to do with their lives now that the kids are up and running. It's never easy. I have an exciting public relations job working with celebrities and doing all sorts of star-studded events and activities. I’m “in the game,” movin’ and shakin’ it but always trying to balance my need to work with my desire to be a good mom. In my heart of hearts, I am a writer, so am about to officially launch my blog about mid-life moms to try and make a go of it (I’ve worked as a newspaper reporter and my PR job means I’m writing press releases all the time - but I want to say what I want to say!) I am working harder than ever to try to get to the life where I am creatively fulfilled and able to be home with my kids more. I have lots of friends trying to figure out just what it is they are going to do with their lives now that the kids are up and running. It’s never easy.

]]> By: becky http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16652 becky Fri, 16 May 2008 18:17:14 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16652 @gina - I was going to try one telecommute day, too, but since my office hasn't done it in the past, they don't want to start now. So they're willing to lose a good employee rather than changing the way they do things just a little bit. @gina - I was going to try one telecommute day, too, but since my office hasn’t done it in the past, they don’t want to start now. So they’re willing to lose a good employee rather than changing the way they do things just a little bit.

]]> By: becky http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16651 becky Fri, 16 May 2008 18:16:11 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16651 I'm going through that right now. My job has suddenly become inflexible. So I'm looking at taking a different job that's part-time, or even moving into another job with a lower pay grade if it's more flexible. It sucks. I shouldn't have to make this decision. But even if I do stay home, I will be working from home, too. It allows me to be with our son, but we still need income from a second career. So writing, which I love, is going to be my primary job very soon, I think. And after a little while, it won't be a pay cut. I have the potential to make much more. That's the best of both worlds--for me. I’m going through that right now. My job has suddenly become inflexible. So I’m looking at taking a different job that’s part-time, or even moving into another job with a lower pay grade if it’s more flexible.

It sucks. I shouldn’t have to make this decision.

But even if I do stay home, I will be working from home, too. It allows me to be with our son, but we still need income from a second career.

So writing, which I love, is going to be my primary job very soon, I think. And after a little while, it won’t be a pay cut. I have the potential to make much more. That’s the best of both worlds–for me.

]]> By: Gina Speer http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16375 Gina Speer Tue, 13 May 2008 22:16:54 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16375 I can see how lots of parents would do almost anything to spend more time with their children. As a full time working mom, I only see my 1 year old son for 1/2 hour in the morning before daycare/work and 2 1/2 hours in the evening before bedtime. I spend the least amount of time with him of all his caregivers!! Plus, with the HUGE cost of daycare, it's almost not worth missing out on all his baby years, for just that little extra income! Before he was born I tried to arrange a "work from home one day a week", wouldn't that be great! Too bad it didn't work out (sigh). I can see how lots of parents would do almost anything to spend more time with their children. As a full time working mom, I only see my 1 year old son for 1/2 hour in the morning before daycare/work and 2 1/2 hours in the evening before bedtime. I spend the least amount of time with him of all his caregivers!! Plus, with the HUGE cost of daycare, it’s almost not worth missing out on all his baby years, for just that little extra income! Before he was born I tried to arrange a “work from home one day a week”, wouldn’t that be great! Too bad it didn’t work out (sigh).

]]> By: Robyn http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16362 Robyn Tue, 13 May 2008 18:16:07 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16362 I'm not sure I would want to take a paycut for more time. For me, it's about having the flexibility to have both fit. If I can work from home part of the time, flex my hours one day to chaperone the school field trip, then I feel like it can be a win-win. If my spouse's salary was the total of our combined salary now, working part-time for less money could be a possibility if he was willing to take over a larger portion of our household expenses (which we split 50/50 now). But I know that I would never leave my professional. It's too hard to jump back in and I like making my own money and having the financial independence that goes along with it. I’m not sure I would want to take a paycut for more time. For me, it’s about having the flexibility to have both fit. If I can work from home part of the time, flex my hours one day to chaperone the school field trip, then I feel like it can be a win-win.

If my spouse’s salary was the total of our combined salary now, working part-time for less money could be a possibility if he was willing to take over a larger portion of our household expenses (which we split 50/50 now). But I know that I would never leave my professional. It’s too hard to jump back in and I like making my own money and having the financial independence that goes along with it.

]]> By: Susan P. Epstein http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16343 Susan P. Epstein Tue, 13 May 2008 12:02:58 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16343 As a parent coach, I am working with more and more moms and (dads) who are willing to take a paycut (get out of coroporate America, and world) and not take a paycut!! There are so many opportunties to start your own business now because of the internet, that there really is no reason not to explore this... A lot of mom's who were admin assts. are becoming VA's (Virtual assts). They are making up and above $45/hour and work when they want, for who they want and as much as they want. Kids need us parents and the world is changing really fast...being available to our kids has never been so important as it is today. As a parent coach, I am working with more and more moms and (dads) who are willing to take a paycut (get out of coroporate America, and world) and not take a paycut!!

There are so many opportunties to start your own business now because of the internet, that there really is no reason not to explore this…

A lot of mom’s who were admin assts. are becoming VA’s (Virtual assts). They are making up and above $45/hour and work when they want, for who they want and as much as they want.

Kids need us parents and the world is changing really fast…being available to our kids has never been so important as it is today.

]]> By: Linda B http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16290 Linda B Mon, 12 May 2008 22:12:06 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16290 I did take a pay cut as I was downsized from Corporate America after 18 years. But I will tell you when you save on the wardrobe (suits), nanny care, daycare and now the price of gas you may find you are not taking a paycut or maybe just a very little one. I did take a paycut even after all of that but I quickly made that up with the ambitions to start www.TriCountyMoms.com Go after your dreams and be with your children! I did take a pay cut as I was downsized from Corporate America after 18 years. But I will tell you when you save on the wardrobe (suits), nanny care, daycare and now the price of gas you may find you are not taking a paycut or maybe just a very little one.
I did take a paycut even after all of that but I quickly made that up with the ambitions to start http://www.TriCountyMoms.com

Go after your dreams and be with your children!

]]> By: Diane http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16283 Diane Mon, 12 May 2008 20:56:51 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16283 I have and it's totally worth it...for my own sanity if nothing else. Just wanted to comment on your observation, Nataly, that you've met mom after mom who are in this situation. I, too, have been struck by how many other moms I've met, both locally and online, in the same boat. I have my moments of feeling bad for not being more ambitious or not earning more, but knowing I'm not alone really is a comfort. I guess I feel like I'm part of a burgeoning sector of the workforce and, well, I have to believe that this trend will ultimately benefit moms and families. Um, I hope... I have and it’s totally worth it…for my own sanity if nothing else. Just wanted to comment on your observation, Nataly, that you’ve met mom after mom who are in this situation. I, too, have been struck by how many other moms I’ve met, both locally and online, in the same boat. I have my moments of feeling bad for not being more ambitious or not earning more, but knowing I’m not alone really is a comfort. I guess I feel like I’m part of a burgeoning sector of the workforce and, well, I have to believe that this trend will ultimately benefit moms and families. Um, I hope…

]]> By: Jan http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16276 Jan Mon, 12 May 2008 20:10:39 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16276 I would and still hope to. I've been primary breadwinner for a long time, but my husband finally scored a "grownup" job in January. We've bought a less expensive house and if/when our old one sells, we're hoping to be able to swing a positive cash flow on just his salary. I think your key phrase is "I love to work". Not so much me. I love to organize, but I'm happy to organize kid stuff and our home life to fulfill that need. I'll probably always putter at some computer work (I'm a programmer), but I would love love love love LOVE to be able to put it aside for a bit to focus on my kids. That said, I think it's human nature to idealize that which we don't and especially cannot have. I have a hard time socializing too much with all-SAHM-groups because it's difficult for me to listen to them go on and on about how much easier their lives would be if they were working outside the home. I worked half time for awhile after my daughter was born, but I found the overhead-to-work-time ratio to be too high to feel like I was getting anything done. (Half time basically doubles your effective meeting-load.) I work 80% now, which works OK. I would and still hope to. I’ve been primary breadwinner for a long time, but my husband finally scored a “grownup” job in January. We’ve bought a less expensive house and if/when our old one sells, we’re hoping to be able to swing a positive cash flow on just his salary.

I think your key phrase is “I love to work”. Not so much me. I love to organize, but I’m happy to organize kid stuff and our home life to fulfill that need. I’ll probably always putter at some computer work (I’m a programmer), but I would love love love love LOVE to be able to put it aside for a bit to focus on my kids.

That said, I think it’s human nature to idealize that which we don’t and especially cannot have. I have a hard time socializing too much with all-SAHM-groups because it’s difficult for me to listen to them go on and on about how much easier their lives would be if they were working outside the home.

I worked half time for awhile after my daughter was born, but I found the overhead-to-work-time ratio to be too high to feel like I was getting anything done. (Half time basically doubles your effective meeting-load.) I work 80% now, which works OK.

]]> By: Jessica @ A Bushel and a Peck http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16267 Jessica @ A Bushel and a Peck Mon, 12 May 2008 18:17:29 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/blog/2008/05/12/would-you-take-a-pay-cut-for-more-times-with-your-kids/#comment-16267 I would and I did, about 5 months ago. After being a SAHM for the forst 16-months of my daughter's life, mostly due to the fact that my husband was in the Army and we were moving all the time so I really couldn't get a job, I went back to work full-time as a Defense Analyst for a government consulting firm. Two years of full-time work, plus another baby added to the family, and I felt that I was just not able to work full-time and be the mom I wanted to be. So I took a 40% pay cut and now work from home on a flex schedule at 60% time (about 24 hours/week). However, due to the high cost of childcare where I live, we actually take home MORE money because my kids are home full-time with me. Is it hard to work with two kids in the house? YES. But we've adapted and have a good schedule worked out, and so far I have not had to rely on any child care while I am working. I am beyond lucky to work for a company that even considers this to be an option, and I have to say it has been the best thing that has happened to our family. We are all happier and less stressed, and the pay cut was more than worth it! I would and I did, about 5 months ago. After being a SAHM for the forst 16-months of my daughter’s life, mostly due to the fact that my husband was in the Army and we were moving all the time so I really couldn’t get a job, I went back to work full-time as a Defense Analyst for a government consulting firm. Two years of full-time work, plus another baby added to the family, and I felt that I was just not able to work full-time and be the mom I wanted to be. So I took a 40% pay cut and now work from home on a flex schedule at 60% time (about 24 hours/week). However, due to the high cost of childcare where I live, we actually take home MORE money because my kids are home full-time with me. Is it hard to work with two kids in the house? YES. But we’ve adapted and have a good schedule worked out, and so far I have not had to rely on any child care while I am working. I am beyond lucky to work for a company that even considers this to be an option, and I have to say it has been the best thing that has happened to our family. We are all happier and less stressed, and the pay cut was more than worth it!

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