There is no magical age where parenting becomes less of a responsibility. Sure, there is a sweet spot in late elementary, but every age requires parental flexibility and children are demanding at every age. Mine are in HS now and it's almost as demanding (and definitely as stressful) as it was when they were toddlers.

Now that you know that flexibility will continue to be useful to you, just decide if the extra money will make it worth it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but I am in my mid-30s and like my “mom job” making $200k. Sometimes I wish I could be more aggressive in my career like others I know. But ultimately I value the flexibility too much. I like having time with the kids, to manage our finances and rental property, plan nice weekend outings and get-togethers with friends.

What field are you in ?

Pretty sure this person is a troll. Not because it's impossible to have a flexible job that pays that much, but because she brought up salary, rental property, and finances that need to be managed. She's pushing your buttons.

Not the PP, but this isn’t necessarily a troll. My $200k mom job is in tech. I’m 40 (15+ year career) and I live in a HCOL area.

Did you read what you're responding to? The PP said it wasn't impossible, just that the post was designed to stir the pot.

Keep the job you have! Saying this as a 40 something mom who’d kill to have a more flexible job, but it’s not really available in my industry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but I am in my mid-30s and like my “mom job” making $200k. Sometimes I wish I could be more aggressive in my career like others I know. But ultimately I value the flexibility too much. I like having time with the kids, to manage our finances and rental property, plan nice weekend outings and get-togethers with friends.

What field are you in ?

Pretty sure this person is a troll. Not because it's impossible to have a flexible job that pays that much, but because she brought up salary, rental property, and finances that need to be managed. She's pushing your buttons.

Not the PP, but this isn’t necessarily a troll. My $200k mom job is in tech. I’m 40 (15+ year career) and I live in a HCOL area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would stay at the current job. Don't think of it as a "mom job", ugh. I adore my job but would kill for that level of flexibility.

That's the thing, my job is decent but i don't adore it, I'm thinking about jumping for a job I might be more excited about. I'm worried it wouldn't be worth the cost, but also worried that 5 years from now I'll feel like worrying about school pickup was a dumb and fleeting reason.

Why do you have to be excited about a job? Its a job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but I am in my mid-30s and like my “mom job” making $200k. Sometimes I wish I could be more aggressive in my career like others I know. But ultimately I value the flexibility too much. I like having time with the kids, to manage our finances and rental property, plan nice weekend outings and get-togethers with friends.

What field are you in ?

Pretty sure this person is a troll. Not because it's impossible to have a flexible job that pays that much, but because she brought up salary, rental property, and finances that need to be managed. She's pushing your buttons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not lazy or shortsighted to stay. Your job seems to work really well for you. I’d only leave for significantly more money.

+1.
OP, other good or better opportunities will come along. Don't give up something good without a concrete immediate benefit.

I've declined multiple jobs/promotions for flexibility reasons and I just accepted one for a good raise. If I'd accepted those other opportunities I wouldn't be available for this one. You have lots of time and this is not your only chance to change jobs.

This! OP you have rose colored glasses on about what that new job might be, and how it might springboard to something better. Reality is you will be giving up something so hard to find (flexibility, great boss) for same pay and a lot of unknowns. At a time when your kids are about to need you a lot. Middle school and high school kids require a lot of time and emotional energy. Don’t get caught in “grass is greener” syndrome at work.

Why would anyone do this? The new company could by lying?

I switched jobs to amazing jobs with higher pay I say over my career 1/2 was a lie. Had to jump again

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but I am in my mid-30s and like my “mom job” making $200k. Sometimes I wish I could be more aggressive in my career like others I know. But ultimately I value the flexibility too much. I like having time with the kids, to manage our finances and rental property, plan nice weekend outings and get-togethers with friends.

What field are you in ?

Anonymous wrote:It’s not lazy or shortsighted to stay. Your job seems to work really well for you. I’d only leave for significantly more money.

+1.
OP, other good or better opportunities will come along. Don't give up something good without a concrete immediate benefit.

I've declined multiple jobs/promotions for flexibility reasons and I just accepted one for a good raise. If I'd accepted those other opportunities I wouldn't be available for this one. You have lots of time and this is not your only chance to change jobs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would stay at the current job. Don't think of it as a "mom job", ugh. I adore my job but would kill for that level of flexibility.

That's the thing, my job is decent but i don't adore it, I'm thinking about jumping for a job I might be more excited about. I'm worried it wouldn't be worth the cost, but also worried that 5 years from now I'll feel like worrying about school pickup was a dumb and fleeting reason.

5 years fro now you will be worried about supervising after school homework and activities and making sure you have a handle on kids social life, emotional life and influences.

Right but this sense that it doesn't get easier when kids get older also means that if OP wants to move in her career in the foreseeable future, she's going to face some tradeoffs. Doesn't mean she should take this one.

DP but I made a move recently with young kids bc I didn't see things getting any easier in the next 10 yrs and I didn't want to be stuck for that long.

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but I am in my mid-30s and like my “mom job” making $200k. Sometimes I wish I could be more aggressive in my career like others I know. But ultimately I value the flexibility too much. I like having time with the kids, to manage our finances and rental property, plan nice weekend outings and get-togethers with friends.

LOL! I'm OP and I make half that, sign me up for your mom job!

Not OP but I am in my mid-30s and like my “mom job” making $200k. Sometimes I wish I could be more aggressive in my career like others I know. But ultimately I value the flexibility too much. I like having time with the kids, to manage our finances and rental property, plan nice weekend outings and get-togethers with friends.

It’s not lazy or shortsighted to stay. Your job seems to work really well for you. I’d only leave for significantly more money.

OP, I'm facing the same decision. In my case the conflict is heightened because I am a single parent. So, the flexibility is even more important... but so is the possibility of earning more money elsewhere since I am the sole support. Har dot know which is the right path.