Where did my ambition go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My boss approached me about an upcoming job opening and asked if I wanted to be considered. The job is senior to mine -- more responsibility, more money. But with that comes more time, more stress. Without even taking a minute to think about it, I declined. And I was honest with her. I just have so much going on right now, being mom to a 1-year-old and 5-year-old. I'm always pressed for time. She's a mom, so she gets it.

At the same time, I wonder... Should I have just sucked it up and asked to be considered? Why didn't I jump at the chance? Are the higher-ups not even going to consider me for future positions because of what I said? Have a sabotaged myself?

Sure, we could use the money, but we're doing OK. I just worry that I've committed career suicide.

Anyone else experience this?

Thanks.

Congratulations on mommy-tracking your career. It's fine -- many of us have done it... But you have the distinction of being able to look back later and remember the precise time you put yourself in that box!

[Anonymous]

Don't feel bad, OP. I can totally understand why you did what you did.

[Anonymous]

OP, I actually posted something similar a few days ago. I feel like I should want to move up the career chain, but have absolutely no desire to do so other than appearances-sake. so this Ivy League summa-cum-laude, etc. grad stays in my non-glamorous job where I am content and have no stress and can leave by 5 and enjoy my kids. I had to remind myself of why I chose the "slacker" path (hence the earlier post).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's okay to mother your children.

It's okay to want to spend more time with your family and less time at home.

It's okay to be content. You don't always have to want MORE. In fact if you always are thinking about MORE, when do you have time to be happy?

It's okay to be ambitious about things besides a career.

+1000

[Anonymous]

I just read this book with DD. Seems on point. You might enjoy it.:

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Questions-Based-story-Tolstoy/dp/0439199964