Career change: Left marketing to work from home as a dad

3w ago1 min read

Three years ago I was climbing the corporate ladder, working 60 hour weeks, hated it but thought that's what success looked like. Wife had the kids home but wanted her career back. We did the unconventional thing and she went back full time while I started freelance work from home. Less money, but I'm here for school pickups, I know my kids, I'm not constantly stressed. Miss the title sometimes, miss having coworkers who get me. But I wouldn't trade being the default parent now. It's weird how much masculinity is tied to that job thing and how much I had to unlearn that.

4 comments1944 views

Comments(4)

JJoshuaExperienced3w ago

Three years in now - do you actually feel like you're present more with your kids? That's the dream for me but I'm scared to take the leap. How did your family adjust to the money side of things?

SScott M.Regular3w ago

This is brave and honestly inspiring. Did the income hit hurt at first or did you have a plan going in? I'm in that corporate grind right now and some days I wonder if it's worth it.

PPaulRegular3w ago

Did you have a financial cushion saved up before you made the switch? I want to do something similar but the financial stress of not having that big paycheck seems impossible to deal with.

CCarlos M.Regular3w ago

Mad respect for this. The corporate ladder thing eats people up. Working from home as a dad means you actually get to see your kids grow up. That's worth way more than climbing something you didn't even want.