Career growth - is it worth it with young kids?

Aug 31 min read

Got offered a promotion that would basically require me to be "on" all the time, some travel, visible at every meeting, that whole thing. Right now I'm content in my role, decent money, but not crushing it. My kids are 4 and 6. The logical part of my brain says take the promotion for future security but the dad part of me knows I'd miss so much. Did any of you guys push pause on career stuff during the young kid years and was it the right call? Or do you regret not going for it when you had the chance?

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Comments(3)

JJasonRegularAug 4

I'd ask them if the "on all the time" part is negotiable. Some promotions have flexibility if you push back respectfully. Worth exploring before you say no, but also worth saying no if it doesn't fit your life right now.

JJoshuaExperiencedAug 4

I turned down a similar offer two years ago and honestly I don't regret it. Being "on" all the time means you're off for your kids, and at this age they need you present more than they need your next title. The money looked good but my sanity was worth more.

JJoeRegularAug 4

What does the salary bump actually look like? Sometimes people hear promotion and assume it's life changing money but the math doesn't work out when you factor in childcare, burnout, and missing stuff. Just a thought.