My mommy track job is by default 8-5 in an office. But, 2-3x a week I leave for an hour in the midafternoon (not my lunch break) to get my kids settled in after school and then head back to the office for the last 60-90 minutes. I also will leave early (around 4pm) 2-3x a week. Maybe 1x a week I'll do 30 mins of emails at night to make it up. No weekends. So probably around 33-36 hours working a week.

The office would prefer that I didn't do this - but in return, I don't expect much performance bonus. I also share admin, I think if I were there 50+ hours/week, I would have my own. Those are my two biggest tradeoffs.

I would trade the whole thing tomorrow for a WAH arrangement, even if 1/2 time. But for me, that kind of job would mean the other 1/2 would be spent traveling - and that just isn't possible.

I've never really heard the term "Mommy track" and I frankly think more jobs should be receptive to the needs of ALL parents, not just Moms. That being said, some jobs that are good for work-life balance are teaching positions, counseling positions, and almost any job allowing you to work from home.

My job as a CPS worker is just okay for a working parent. I get flex-time, decent sick and annual leave and I *usually* have regular, normal hours but occasionally I have to work late due to an emergency. This would be a real challenge for a single parent as the pay isn't amazing and finding flexible childcare is hard! It is also a stressful position for obvious reasons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I teach college courses online. No job security and crummy pay, but easy and completely flexible, down to the number of courses I teach.

Interesting. How do you get gigs like this?

I am curious too. What degrees do you have, and how is the pay?

Anonymous wrote:I teach college courses online. No job security and crummy pay, but easy and completely flexible, down to the number of courses I teach.

Interesting. How do you get gigs like this?

I downshifted within my field, but miss working with competent people. Plus it's hard to switch jobs, you have to prove yourself all over again and need at least the first 6 mos of FaceTime games.

When my kids were small, I worked for the govt., which was definitely a mommy tracked legal position. Now that they're older, I'm working in-house. The work is better in every way except it's longer hours, more stress and more than I personally could have handled with young children.

^^^^ meant 7 hr days

Govt IT project manager/contract manager... $135K

2WAH days, work any 80 hours/2weeks.

I work 2 10 hour days, 2 7 hour days and 1 6 hour day per week.

I have worked different schedules, like 6 hour days (7-2:30) and 1 hour 9-10 at night. It depends on your boss/job.

I do laundry on my WAH days.

Mommy track to me means I stay in a position where I am valuable so they let me do as I please because I do a really good job and I am not gunning for a promotion.

Go part time at BigLaw? Or transition to "staff attorney"? Go in house? Or to the govt?
Or, if you really want to stop practicing, get a job at Whole Foods...decent pay and a grocery discount.

Anonymous wrote:If you're in a mommy track job, what do you? I have a law degree, but am not interested in practicing anymore.

Another lawyer here. I would love a mommy track job. I'm in biglaw and am so so sick of the endless work.

I teach college courses online. No job security and crummy pay, but easy and completely flexible, down to the number of courses I teach.

I'm a lawyer doing contract work. Fairly regular hours but took a pay cut and not sure where I can go from here. Couldn't do biglaw hours, govt. hiring is at a standstill, and not sure I have the experience for an in-house position.

I don't know. Even "easy," shitty jobs I've had seem to want total flexibility.

What's a mommy track job? One where you see your family more than your coworkers?

If you're in a mommy track job, what do you? I have a law degree, but am not interested in practicing anymore.