Anonymous wrote:I left the work force when my kids were 4 and 6. I didn’t think I would leave forever. I ended up having another baby and have been home now for 5 years.

I think the most important factors are your dh’s income, your savings and the stability of your marriage.

Dh earns a seven figure income. If he only earned 500k, I would probably go back to work. For now, I am enjoying my family. No regrets.

Totally disagree based on how the OP framed the question. The most important factor is: How will OP feel about never having a "big" job again? Will she find personal satisfaction being home and not working? For a year? For 5 years? What about when she tries to go back and gets one of the "I work part time from home to have something to do but my income is only $12k a year" jobs that the PPs posted? If you're someone who is used to being in a big job, and derives satisfaction out of that, the fact that your husband can pay the mortgage is pretty low down the list of factors.

Anonymous wrote:I left the work force when my kids were 4 and 6. I didn’t think I would leave forever. I ended up having another baby and have been home now for 5 years.

I think the most important factors are your dh’s income, your savings and the stability of your marriage.

Dh earns a seven figure income. If he only earned 500k, I would probably go back to work. For now, I am enjoying my family. No regrets.

“Only” 500k wouldn’t be enough? How much did you make?

I found part time telework that’s well paying. The work is dry and solitary (there’s always a trade off) but it is a saving grace for moms with young kids. I still outsource some cleaning and meals, but deal with the mom load of scheduling, shuttling, appts, etc. I don’t do well as a homemaker. I also volunteer in things I’m more interested in as my schedule allows. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:I left and regretted it intensely. Went back part time after several miserable years, and it’s made a world of difference to my happiness. I wish more people had the option to work part time.

I agree with this.

I left the work force when my kids were 4 and 6. I didn’t think I would leave forever. I ended up having another baby and have been home now for 5 years.

I think the most important factors are your dh’s income, your savings and the stability of your marriage.

Dh earns a seven figure income. If he only earned 500k, I would probably go back to work. For now, I am enjoying my family. No regrets.

I left and regretted it intensely. Went back part time after several miserable years, and it’s made a world of difference to my happiness. I wish more people had the option to work part time.

I don't want to leave the workforce but I am 47 and in a toxic situation. I am also burned out and need a real break. I am concerned that if I do leave the workforce, I am retiring.

Granted I very only recently left the workforce (associate in big law) but I am so much happier. I was barely hanging on between work, kids, husband, house, elderly parents, etc. I feel much more balanced and feel like my kids are 100% getting a better version of me.

I didn’t realize until I left how terrible I was at compartmentalizing work. I let it seep into my life 24-7 - always checking my email, always thinking about my deadlines and legal work. If you stay in, my advice would be to try to create more boundaries!!!

Personally, I can’t understand why anyone would work if they don’t need the money.

My cousin does. She just found out her husband is having an affair with a co-worker. He wants a divorce.

I’m glad I got this time with my kids and I don’t know how I would have managed everything while working. So I cannot say that I regret leaving.
I’m ready to go back to work and in a way I wish I would have stayed to make the now easier.

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Did your boss know you have the week of thanksgiving booked off? Is it a short meeting? Don’t let that be your last straw if they didn’t know and/ or it’s a short meeting - don’t quit over that. Especially if you’re going to be in town.

If your boss sucks in other ways that’s different.

Personally l would stick it out until kid 2 is in school and reassess. Also leave your door open to opportunities. I got a new job without applying just by letting a few friends in my industry know l would move for the right opportunity.

I would at least try to scale back in some way. If that is at current job or different job.

Say no for the meeting the week of Thanksgiving. N.O. Unless you are the only brain surgeon in the area and the patient will perish without you operating, you can say no. I understand it might not be your culture and you might get blow back or your boss might be really mad but if you're on here posting about wanting to quit, seems worth trying saying no first and see how it goes.

Anonymous wrote:What happens if you don't go to this meeting Thanksgiving week. If you set boundaries will they fire you? Would that be so bad if you're thinking of quitting?

I would look for another job. Are you sure you can't find something comparable that gives you the flexibility you want?

+1 can you say you can't attend the meeting, or at least not in person?

Sounds like a terrible workplace culture