No, and I actually regret not doing it sooner.

Lawyer here who took off 9 years due initially to child with serious chronic illness. It was extremely difficult to get back but no regrets at all.

Anonymous wrote:Few physicians I know, had to go into research or academia because it was tough to get back into clinical practice.

There are so many places in the country that need more physicians! They should move to one of those places when they are ready to get back into the workforce.

You won't regret it.

Your kids are the most amazing thing you will ever create.

Trust me, that once they are teens and young adults leaving home, you will look back not regret one moment you put them first.

I have never met a mom who looked at her adult children and wished that she had spent more time at her job and less time with her kids.

If you are able to tighten the family budget to spend a few precious years with them while they are young, either as a full time stay at home mom, or through a part time or flexible gig job, do it. It might be hard in the moment, but you won't regret it looking backwards.

Anonymous wrote:Few physicians I know, had to go into research or academia because it was tough to get back into clinical practice.

Why? If they completed the required training and practiced clinical medicine before, it shouldn’t be hard to get back into it after staying a home for a few years.

Was super hard to get back. I had to take a lower position to get my foot back in the door anywhere. Grateful it was two moms of much older kids that gave me a chance, knowing I'd probably outgrow that job w/in a year.

Anonymous wrote:I stepped out of my career for five years to be a SAHM and have no regrets. Those years were tough at times because finances were tight, but in other ways our lives were much easier. For example, we never had to stress over needing to call out of work for a sick kid. And our days were just slower and more peaceful. I remember really enjoying the changing seasons for example. I did get a little bored eventually and was ready to go back when my youngest started full time preschool. I was able to get right back in where I left off but be prepared to look for awhile when you return.

Agree. But, I only lasted for 2.5 years total before I went back. I am not cut out to be a sahm. It did kill my career trajectory, and sometimes, I do regret it. But, I don't regret that I could spend some time with my kids and the stress level in our home went down.

Really depends on your field and job and how long your out of workforce.

I stepped out of my career for five years to be a SAHM and have no regrets. Those years were tough at times because finances were tight, but in other ways our lives were much easier. For example, we never had to stress over needing to call out of work for a sick kid. And our days were just slower and more peaceful. I remember really enjoying the changing seasons for example. I did get a little bored eventually and was ready to go back when my youngest started full time preschool. I was able to get right back in where I left off but be prepared to look for awhile when you return.

Few physicians I know, had to go into research or academia because it was tough to get back into clinical practice.

Its easier for women in tech, some friends did multiple certifications and few did masters to get back into the field and are reasonably successful again. However, they had husbands in tech industry and used their connections to get in. One's DH practically did half of the work on her projects for first two years.

Really depends A LOT on what industry you are in.

OMG so many threads on this. Just look them up!

Many of my friends bounced back but it took time and sacrifices were made. Fortunately, they were married to men who were loyal, supportive and financially dependable.

If you don't have financial issues, trust your DH and can somehow keep one foot in your field, sacrifices are worth it as full time parenting is a privilege.

Was it worth it? regrets? Did you have a fairly easy time getting back into a job in the area?

Thank you!