Should I change jobs or stay with my current employer?

[IAmDer]

Good morning all

Background: I have two elementary kids. I have been working for the same company for the past decade and there hasn't been any growth financially except for 2% increase in pay year over year for the past decade. After covid, inflation has increased so much that my paystub isnt keeping up. I am upskilling and looking to change jobs for a better pay so we could afford a single family home in this current real estate market.

My question is: I have elementary aged kids and my current job is flexible enough to accommodate their school appointments, sick appts, pickup/dropoff for activity, am able to work from home on their school holidays, since I know the team and the work it isnt very challenging to do the daily job.
Also I am first generation immigrant with no family living near. So any emergency is all on me and spouse to take care of, no fall-back options.

I see women getting back to work when kids are older. I wanted to know what the best age of kids for parents to change jobs? Is it after middle school?

Please advise?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

OP, the sooner you switch, the better.

There are lots of employers with some flexibility on hours, so don't assume every new job will require all hours in an office.

ES school kids are easier on a schedule than MS kids. And MS kids are easier than HS kids (at least until they have their licenses).

[Anonymous]

IAmDer wrote:Good morning all

Background: I have two elementary kids. I have been working for the same company for the past decade and there hasn't been any growth financially except for 2% increase in pay year over year for the past decade. After covid, inflation has increased so much that my paystub isnt keeping up. I am upskilling and looking to change jobs for a better pay so we could afford a single family home in this current real estate market.

My question is: I have elementary aged kids and my current job is flexible enough to accommodate their school appointments, sick appts, pickup/dropoff for activity, am able to work from home on their school holidays, since I know the team and the work it isnt very challenging to do the daily job.
Also I am first generation immigrant with no family living near. So any emergency is all on me and spouse to take care of, no fall-back options.

I see women getting back to work when kids are older. I wanted to know what the best age of kids for parents to change jobs? Is it after middle school?

Please advise?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

OP - this recent thread about flexibility v challenge may be helpful:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1194112.page