Tell me your post-mommy track career story

[Anonymous]

I am interested in hearing from all of the working moms who spent a few years on the mommy track (whatever that may mean in your field--part-time, etc) and then geared back up when the time was right. My kids are 2.5 y.o. and 9 months I have been working at 80% since DC#1 was born. I have been with the same company for 7 years and although my job is fine and I like the people I work with, I wouldn't say it is where I want to be for the rest of my life. But I love the schedule and since I have been here for so long, I have a decent amount of vacation and complete autonomy. I like the general field that I am in (marketing) but would like to change to a different industry eventually. The question for me is.....when is eventually?

But my question for all of you is, if you were once on a reduced schedule or took a job that allowed you to "coast" while your kids were little, what did you do once the kids were a little older/went back to school/etc? How old were you/how far into your career were you when you cut back and when you went back to full-time? I anticipate changing jobs within the next few years so that I can pursue something a little different but have no idea what to expect. Will I be penalized for not showing a lot of advancement in the years that I mommy-tracked or will potential employers not really care about that? Am I pigeon-holing myself into a certain industry because I have been working in it for so long, even though I would have left a while ago if it weren't for the kids/schedule?

I would love to hear stories from those who have BTDT...your challenges, successes, advice, etc. Whatever story you have, I would love your perspective! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

My kids are late high school and college now. I worked part time (3 days a week) while they were 0-6. Once the youngest was in 1st grade, I geared back up to full time. When the oldest hit 7th grade, I geared down to part time, because we wanted a parent home after school to manage teenage shenanigans. My youngest is finishing 11th grade, and I still work at the office from 8-2, and then bring 2-3 hours of work home each day. He is a good boy and not getting into trouble and is personally motivated to be healthy and get into a good college. I would go back to full time in the office, but honestly, working the afternoons from home works well for our family. I can do a conference call while prepping dinner, and work for an hour while a load of laundry is going. So I'm considered full time but just don't do the work all in the office.

[Anonymous]

I really liked have the flexibility of my long term but under demanding job when the kiddos were young. When they were sick I could take time off, leave early work from home. Job was full time. I got my job done but it wasn't the same as pre-kids in terms of intensity and my drive. I had plenty of vacation for trips, school activities, home needs. A great job for the time when your focus is on kids. When my oldest got to 2nd grade my DH's job got intense, extensive travel, weekend work, long day time hours. While his pay increased just enough to allow us to live on one salary for a while. So I quit my job and have been keeping the family on track. I was up for a promotion of sorts which would have increased my travel and time away from home (weekend and evening events) trying to balance that with my DH's schedule even with the job flexibility just wasn't enough for me (it wasn't much in the way of a monetary gain for us). I have to say being home right now is nice. But I am also wondering about whether I should go back part time when my oldest gets to middle school so I can keep on track professionally but be around for the crazy middle school schedule

[Anonymous]

My mom mommy-tracked and then ramped back up while we were in high school. She is now in her mid-sixties, and her career is better than she ever could have imagined. She works a ton, but she absolutely loves it (non-profit VP of Development). But it is not a job she could have maintained with children. Moreover, I can't imagine her getting to a higher place in it had she not downscaled during that period, as I don't think she would want a higher position.

[Anonymous]

My mentor did it but she went to a different company. She found it difficult at her old company to change the mommy track image once she was ready to ramp up her career again. This was in the 90s so YMMV.

[Anonymous]

I hate the term mommy track. Put on your bra and proceed with life.