Rant: Had to choose between promotion and being home for bedtime | DadHQ

Rant: Had to choose between promotion and being home for bedtime

3d ago1 min read

Director role opened up. Would've been a 15% raise. They needed someone willing to travel quarterly and work 50+ hour weeks. I turned it down because my oldest has soccer 3x a week and I'm the parent who gets him there. My wife has her own career. But now I'm wondering if I just tanked my long-term earning potential to be present. Am I being smart or am I being a pushover? I'm 39 with 15 years left of my career. This one decision is eating me up.

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Comments(6)

MMarcusNew Dad1d ago

This one's hard because the voice in your head says you're leaving money on the table. But bedtime is bedtime, man. That's sacred time with your kid. Quarterly travel sounds like a lot to give up for a percentage bump. You made the right call.

HHarvey L.Regular3d ago

Respect for that decision. We did 12 national parks with my kid and those trips matter way more than any job title. The memories are the real currency.

MMike R.New Dad3d ago

That's tough but you made the smart choice. I've got three kids and the promotion race never ends anyway. The raise would've disappeared into daycare fees and stress.

DDom F.Regular3d ago

Man, that's the right call. I turned down extra work stuff too when my kids were younger and honestly those bedtimes are gold. The money would've been nice but you can't get those moments back.

RRobertNew Dad2d ago

I turned down something similar two years ago. Took a pay cut actually to stay part-time. The thing is, director money doesn't mean much if you're missing the good stuff. Your kid won't remember the 15% raise. Might be worth what you skipped.

BBrianRegular2d ago

Don't second guess yourself on this. I know dentistry keeps me tied up, but the quarterly travel thing would've been brutal. Your kids need consistency more than you need the title right now.