I work at a non-profit, and it is pretty perfect. I get paid decently (65K) but can telework when I want, go to appointments without an issue, and I'm comfortable leaving work at 4:00 and not thinking about it again until the next day due to my low-ish salary. I'm pretty happy with the arrangement.

Anonymous wrote:Some things I considered: realtor (really need to be good at sales, which I am, and have a good network, which I don't, at least here), teaching (at least your at work hours align with school-aged kids, but there's a lot of work to be done after hours), nursing (could work the 3 12 hour shifts, although my friend who does this says that those 3 days she basically doesn't see her children at all), psychologist/talk therapist (can make your own hours, but getting started requires a lot of practicum hours, and probably doesn't pay all that much if you don't work a lot, and often need to have evening hours)

I instead just negotiated with my current employer, with whom I had been working for 3 years, to work part-time/compressed schedule. Better would be part-time with some at home work to cut down on commuting time (not to substitute for day care). This would be harder for you, but I think it's what a lot of people do in actuality. My job also ends when I leave the office 90% of the time, and it is fairly low stress 70% of the year. I have no travel requirements right now outside of the area or overnight. It isn't ideal, but there really is no ideal. I am a Federal employee, MPA or MBA required for my role. I could advance in my agency or transfer out if/when my career path needs adjusting.

I'm a licensed clinical social worker, have been in the social services field 15 years, 5 years with my advanced license, and am JUST getting to the point where I am going to be able to make a go of a private practice. LOTS of time spent either in the trenches and in specialized trainings to get here. That said, it's very very family friendly once you get here.

Nanny

school psychologist (3 full yrs) or speech therapist (2yrs I think) or Occupational therapist (2 yrs I think). All works in schools - good schedule, close to top of pay scale because of education needed, in demand - easy to get a job, less after-hours work than teaching.

A job that allows you to work from home at least partially would be good. Dh is programmer/statistician. He has a super flexible schedule, works mostly from home, and makes 3x what I make a teacher. My job is a lot less flexible as I need to write sub plans if I have to stay home for a sick kid or if I'm sick, we still have to pay for aftercare, and I almost always have to take work home.

Furniture restoration. Love it.

Not psychology. Getting into a decent PhD program is extremely difficult, the training is long, and it's emotionally intense work. It's also terrific if that's what you love--and there's much you can do with the degree--but it's not a field for someone less than passionate about it. (Can you tell I'm a psychologist?)

OP, in your situation I'd consider PT or maybe OT. Tons of flexibility and room for growth, but not as shift-based as nursing. Possibly social work, if you're inclined towards therapy.

I teach online college courses. The pay per course is not great, and it's hard to get full time positions (but they do exist), so you'd probably be looking at the bottom of your range.

HOWEVER, I can do it from home, the hours are completely flexible, it's portable if you have to move (I'm a military wife), and there are almost no costs beyond keeping your computer current. If you get a Master's in a hard-to-fill, core-course field (math, composition), you will have no trouble getting work. Depending what your prior career was, you may be able to teach in that field, too, with a Master's in another.

You need a PhD to reach the top of the pay scale, but the difference is minimal between MA/MS's and PhDs at UMUC (where I teach), and I imagine elsewhere.

Anonymous wrote:Not teaching. Although the hours and holidays generally line up, there is a lot of work to do outside of the hours and it's emotionally taxing.

+1

I have found being a programmer is family friendly, as long as I'm willing to do the tasks other people aren't interested in. In exchange for handling the mundane, I don't live my life for the code so for the most part I work regular hours and am rarely called in for an emergency.

Some people have difficulty handling the isolation. Some people also have difficulty dealing with the overwhelming maleness of the culture.

Not teaching. Although the hours and holidays generally line up, there is a lot of work to do outside of the hours and it's emotionally taxing.

I am about to do it all over - speech therapy. Much more family friendly choice than the cutthroat world I just left.

Some things I considered: realtor (really need to be good at sales, which I am, and have a good network, which I don't, at least here), teaching (at least your at work hours align with school-aged kids, but there's a lot of work to be done after hours), nursing (could work the 3 12 hour shifts, although my friend who does this says that those 3 days she basically doesn't see her children at all), psychologist/talk therapist (can make your own hours, but getting started requires a lot of practicum hours, and probably doesn't pay all that much if you don't work a lot, and often need to have evening hours)

I instead just negotiated with my current employer, with whom I had been working for 3 years, to work part-time/compressed schedule. Better would be part-time with some at home work to cut down on commuting time (not to substitute for day care). This would be harder for you, but I think it's what a lot of people do in actuality. My job also ends when I leave the office 90% of the time, and it is fairly low stress 70% of the year. I have no travel requirements right now outside of the area or overnight. It isn't ideal, but there really is no ideal. I am a Federal employee, MPA or MBA required for my role. I could advance in my agency or transfer out if/when my career path needs adjusting.

SIL is a physical therapist, and there are options to be very flexible/part time. As kids get older, you can up hours and even consider private practice which, if done right, could be quite lucrative.

I think the graduate program is three years, though.

Hoping to avoid the snark here. I'd love to benefit from DCUMs collective wisdom!
DH makes a decent salary, and I'm a SAHM. As our kids approach elementary school age I'm aware that second income could make all the difference in terms of where we could afford to live or even the option to consider private schools. My previous career is essentially dead, I'd have to return to school to revive it. I'd like to go back to school for a masters in something, so maybe it could be a career path that's super family friendly, especially since DH's isn't.

If you were going to go back to school, and your number one focus was that work was family friendly, what would you pick?
I'm not looking to make tons of money, $30,000-$60,000.

Maybe
Occupational therapy?
Nursing?
Teaching?

Ideally it would be something that I could expand as the kids grow and leave the nest.
Thank you!