Reply to Should I take the leap?

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[quote=Anonymous]If it's something you really want to do, then I'd say to do it.  Don't just think about right now and your life in the coming year. What do you want to be doing in 5 years?

Your child is 4 years old now and will going to kindergarten next year, I assume (or the year after, but soon).  That will change things -- perhaps you'll be comfortable with more time at work if he's doing activities after school, etc.  What do you want to be doing when he's 10?  15?  If this career is an opportunity to get to where you ultimately want to be going, then it might be worth it.  It sounds like something you want to do.

Are you 100% sure there won't be flexibility?  Perhaps once you get into it, there may be a telework option, or maybe you could vary your hours to go in earlier so you can leave earlier or something (like 7-4 or something).  I wouldn't plan on this, but recognize that there may be increasing flexibility as you get into the position and find out what it really requires and prove yourself as effective.

Are you ready for more stress in your life right now, or are you happy to chill out for a while?  If you want a little "break," then hang back and stay where you are.  If you're ready for a challenge, then go for it!  Do you think you'll have a shot at something like this promotion in the future?  If so and you aren't ready now, then wait.

FWIW -- not that I think this is what will happen for you, but a partial warning -- my DH was in a situation where he could have taken a job like this when our DC was very young (like 10 months).  We were a wreck because DC wasn't sleeping, and we couldn't imagine adding stress to our lives at the time.  DH wanted the job but was frustrated with the politics it would have involved and also felt it was best to avoid stress at that point in his life.  I think he made a good decision and is happier overall as a result, but unfortunately, he has not had another opportunity to move to a similar position since, despite several attempts (it's been just over 2 years since that time).  He's pretty unhappy in his current position and feels like he's just biding his time.  He worries that he won't ever get an "interesting" job and regrets turning it down -- now that our child is older and we all can sleep and feel less stressed on the day-to-day stuff.

I personally think it would have been really hard on our family for him to have taken that job, but I can also understand his frustration now that he isn't so exhausted and stressed and wishes he had a better job.  (I didn't push him one way or the other -- it was all his choice.)  I'm sure he will get something in the coming years, but I think he may have missed a good opportunity.  Even if things are tricky with you right  now, consider how you'll feel if you don't take the job 2 years from now.  Does that look good to you, or frustrating?[/quote]

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