Did you ramp up at work once the kids were older/gone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HI OP,

I might be an outlier it seems. I have 'sort-of' mommy-tracked myself. I am still in same position--but I don't volunteer or apply for details or special projects. I am 44 with a 7--year old and 9 year old and have 19 years in with my employer.

I can totally see myself--like the women about 10 years older than me--taking on more roles higher up when kids flee the nest. Many of my good work colleaugues are doing just that now that their kids are leaving for college. They have time and the motivation and aren't transporting kids all over. I guess it helps that we love what we do and the job has lots of flexiblity and allows for this gear-shifting pretty easily.

I could have written this post. 48 with a 9 year old.

+1 I scaled way back when my kids were babies/preschoolers -- quit to just do occasional freelance work while mainly being a SAHM. Now I'm 45 and kids are ES/MS ages. I have worked for 4 yrs in a job I love at a non-profit, working a flexible 40 hrs a week. It works really well for my life now but I think when they are off to college I'd enjoy going back to a consulting firm (I did that pre-kids) in a job where I could work on a wider variety of projects. I won't do that now because those jobs end up requiring a lot of travel.

[Anonymous]

I am turning 50 at the end of the month. Had ny kids late, starting at 37. Turned any ambition to the "mommy track" after first was born and at 49 am coming kicking and screaming (sort of) into a more competitive track. Had my youngest at 43 so still have a little guilt about time at work. I'm loving more responsibility. I had always planned what is happening and am pleased with how it is working out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will be 55 when my last child leaves the nest. I have zero interest in ramping up at that time - I will have worked for 30 years straight at that point! Good luck figuring out what you want.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will be 55 when my last child leaves the nest. I have zero interest in ramping up at that time - I will have worked for 30 years straight at that point! Good luck figuring out what you want.

+1

+2. Except I'll be 60. At that age, I hope to be retired and not ramping up my work schedule.

[Anonymous]

I am in my 20's as a nurse. My observation at work is that most of the elders have ramped down. Those who are still "going strong" appear to be miserable. I hope I'm not in their position at that age.

[Anonymous]

I think you are misinterpreting "miserable" with just not takiing shit anymore, which is a attitude that can sometimes overtake us 50 somethings. We are actually happy. Sorry our faces just don't look that way due to age. It won't happen to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am looking to ramp up now that my kids are 17 and 20. I will say that I became a parent in my early 20's so I sacrificed having a good interesting career while the kids were younger. I have an government job that isn't really "me". I have the advantage of being 42 but looking 35 at the most so I am going to try to make some career changes before I get cold feet and settle.

Thanks for the eye roll but it's genetic. I have to thank my melanin rich cocoa skin and my mother. She didn't start getting wrinkles until she was almost 60.

It doesn't matter how young you look when your age would be pretty obvious on your resume/cv.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are misinterpreting "miserable" with just not takiing shit anymore, which is a attitude that can sometimes overtake us 50 somethings. We are actually happy. Sorry our faces just don't look that way due to age. It won't happen to you.

Just saw this. I'm not misinterpreting anything. They've said it themselves..."x more months till I can retire and be DONE with this place!"

It's not all of them...Some do seem happy to be there. But a good majority are truely over it and just going through the motions are another few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are misinterpreting "miserable" with just not takiing shit anymore, which is a attitude that can sometimes overtake us 50 somethings. We are actually happy. Sorry our faces just don't look that way due to age. It won't happen to you.

Just saw this. I'm not misinterpreting anything. They've said it themselves..."x more months till I can retire and be DONE with this place!"

It's not all of them...Some do seem happy to be there. But a good majority are truely over it and just going through the motions are another few years.

They probably never ramped down.

[Anonymous]

I will be turning 50 next year and I have been working full time for 34 years . Worked full time in HS and college, and just kept going. That being said- I am cooked! My kids will bothe be in college next year. Everyone says you will be so bored if you stop working next year.
We are not wealthy but I just don't have it in me anymore..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will be turning 50 next year and I have been working full time for 34 years . Worked full time in HS and college, and just kept going. That being said- I am cooked! My kids will bothe be in college next year. Everyone says you will be so bored if you stop working next year.
We are not wealthy but I just don't have it in me anymore..

I'm your age, but have been working ten years fewer. I will certainly be cooked in 10 years.

[Anonymous]

Such a difficult choice, OP. It depends on your personality. If it were me, I'd stay working at a higher level instead of moving to the mommy track. But that's my personality. If your children are relatively independent, you have a supportive spouse and excellent childcare, then stay where you are! But if you are lacking in any of those areas, or if you have a child with an illness, moving onto the mommy track is likely your best choice. Not easy in any case. You always have to make sacrifices. But you'll make the best choice for you and for your family.