Is a boring, but flexible job good for starting a family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My perspective will probably be helpful to OP. I've been in the same state government lawyer job (struggling with the boredom) for 14 years and my kids are 11 and 7. There have been ups and downs (major exhaustion issues after #2) and continuing boredom with a shrinking niche that I'm in as well as an over-crowded larger job market (fear can set in about the ability to ever do something else).

But in the bigger picture, it's all worked out and I really couldn't have handled a "bigger" job in the last decade - entertained thoughts of being a "big" trial attorney etc.

I've found that women with the big jobs tend to see working as "all or nothing" - big law is too much so they end up opting-out all together.

There was one year where we had to pay daycare costs x2 before public pre-k started, but during that year I was also paying for the family's medical insurance and contributing towards my pension even though the costs were overtaking my salary.

I'm brainstorming ways to keep myself engaged with my work and possibly developing new skills for future. I do have some screenplay ideas that I keep a notebook going when I get inspired. Trying to take advantage of any free tuition/continuing ed example.

I have many bored co-workers too - trying to not sink with them. It's a challenge to be above the fray sometimes.

Two of my supervisors are in their 60's and 70's - there may be a long road ahead for all if us younger people.

Trying to trust the process.....

Good luck!

OP here -- thanks for this, you sound like you could be me in 10 years. I'm so glad to hear you've found other creative outlets while enjoying your family and the flexibility of your job. I recently started blogging/learning HTML and have some ideas for writing a book. Even if it doesn't pan out, at least I'm keeping my brain active. Maybe someday your screenplays will work out, you never know! And I totally understand about trying to stay above the fray of bored coworkers.