Got offered a promotion that comes with a decent raise but also quarterly travel and some weeks where im gone 3-4 days. My boys are 5 and 8. Part of me knows this is career growth but the other part is thinking about all the soccer games and school stuff ill miss. My wife is supportive either way but I can tell shes worried. How do you guys handle the travel thing?
That's a tough call with boys that age, especially at 5 and 8 when they really start noticing you're gone. I'd push back on the travel terms if you can - maybe negotiate it down to once a quarter instead of every quarter?
More money is great but missing soccer games and school stuff adds up fast. Make sure the raise actually makes sense when you factor in what you're giving up with the fam.
Don't take it if you're not ready. Seriously. More money doesn't mean anything if you're missing your kids' whole childhood. I passed on a similar thing and don't regret it for a second.
I negotiated mine down. Started with asking if I could do some calls remote instead of being there in person. Maybe ask if every travel trip is actually necessary. Some companies are flexible if you push back.
Sign in to join the conversation.
Quarterly travel isn't too bad depending on what that means. Is it one week a quarter? Two weeks? And are you home for regular dinner nights in between? Those details matter a lot for family life.