reality check please - "lean in"?

[Anonymous]

Is it crazy to go for a big promotion at work with a toddler and pregnant with twins? Or Have I been reading too much about Sheryl Sandburg/ marissa Mayer and "leaning in"?

[Anonymous]

Yes it's crazy.

[Anonymous]

I don't know. Sme days I think they'll remember less the younger they are so bust your ass and then cut back later.

[Anonymous]

Really depends. Does the promotion entail longer hours? Do you have a flexible nanny? Can you afford one ? Etc.

But yea.... I think the only thing scarier than twins is triplets. Shit, I have two spaced apart and its an enormous clusterfuck of work. 2 under 2 plus a third??? Lady, you best prepare yourself.

[Anonymous]

Go for it.

[Anonymous]

Never turn down a job you don't have yet. Go for it and decide what to do if you get it.

[Anonymous]

I'll lean in when I have multiple nannies and a nursery custom built right next to my office. Until then it's not worth the tradeoffs for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never turn down a job you don't have yet. Go for it and decide what to do if you get it.

+1 on this. If you do get it, you'll have to consider if you have, or can get, the support you need to be successful and not burn out. But that factors into the decision on whether to accept it.

[Anonymous]

You probably are not a suitable candidate unless you're prepared to totally outsource their care.

[Anonymous]

Realistically it depends on what the job would entail. But barring obvious reasons not to (like you really would be working 80 hours a week consistently) I would go for it. If nothing else, you will demonstrate to your org. that you want to move up; if now isn't the right time, then later. That's an important signal to send in my opinion. Makes them recognize you as a person seeking to rise.
As a single mom I interviewed (by phone) for a management position in my org. when my baby was 5 days old. I tried to do it while at the hospital in labor but the boss was "freaked out" (he was a father of 3 and said he was having flashbacks to his wife's labors and couldn't concentrate on the interview).

[Anonymous]

Since you say it's a promotion, presumably you are at the same company where you have been proving yourself and have a good reputation. Where I work (big non-profit) I know a lot of women who have come back from maternity leave (2nd kid) with promotions! Sometimes the higher up you are, the more you are in charge of "managing" and can delegate a lot of work.

Is the office flexible about working from home, illness, etc?

However, since it is internal, I would not "go for it" or engage in serious negotiation unless you actually plan to take the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it crazy to go for a big promotion at work with a toddler and pregnant with twins? Or Have I been reading too much about Sheryl Sandburg/ marissa Mayer and "leaning in"?

Depends on your childcare situation and your partner, if any. If your spouse will take on the bulk of childcare and household duties or you have a nanny, then go for it. But if you will be doing the childcare/housework along with working, that might be tough. Of course it depends what the promotion entails -- maybe your job duties won't be significantly affected, just your title. Only you can know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll lean in when I have multiple nannies and a nursery custom built right next to my office. Until then it's not worth the tradeoffs for me.

For real. Marissa Mayer said that being a mom to a newborn is so much easier than people told her it would be. Of course it is, with $100 mill compensation, round the clock nannies and a custom made nursery next to your office. Did "people" neglect to mention that? What an imperious, out of touch woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it crazy to go for a big promotion at work with a toddler and pregnant with twins? Or Have I been reading too much about Sheryl Sandburg/ marissa Mayer and "leaning in"?

Depends on your childcare situation and your partner, if any. If your spouse will take on the bulk of childcare and household duties or you have a nanny, then go for it. But if you will be doing the childcare/housework along with working, that might be tough. Of course it depends what the promotion entails -- maybe your job duties won't be significantly affected, just your title. Only you can know.

+1. Even if you don't get the job, they will know that you are really ambitious. I have a full time housekeeper. I feel no guilt farmining out off of the domestic duties. It is a sacrifice. My house is smaller and my car older, but I do not have an especially helpful spouse, therefore I farm out all duties so that I can handle kids and working late. Why fight about it. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll lean in when I have multiple nannies and a nursery custom built right next to my office. Until then it's not worth the tradeoffs for me.

This is where I sit as wel.