Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:50K

I have a low-key, low-stress job that's full-time but pretty easy hours (8:00 to 4:30 with a five minutes commute). I make less than you, though. There are days that I feel miserable with where I'm at professionally. Then I have a week like this week (multiple things at my child's school, husband out of the country for the week, etc), and I'm reminded how much the flexibility means to me. I also tell myself that at least I'm still working in my field and am keeping my skills current. When my home commitments finally ratchet down a bit, I can pursue a higher stress position that's more demanding and pays better. We're a bit strapped financially, but a more demanding job would end up costing me quite a bit in additional childcare.

How many hours a week of childcare do you have?

You sound like me, OP. I'm in a very similar situation, and feel very conflicted about what to do next (i.e. stay where I'm at, or move on to something more lucrative and challenging). There was a post on here a while back where someone had the same dilemma, went with the higher paying, more challenging work situation, and then checked back in one year later to say it was the worst mistake of her life. That really made me think about what life would really be like if I were to lose my flexibility. It's hard, because we have a significant amount of debt we're trying to pay off, and I really would like to make more to get us in a more financially secure position. And I also feel like staying in my current position is doing NOTHING for my marketability should I choose to change jobs down the road. For now, I'm continuing to keep my options open by keeping tabs on current job openings.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's weird to think about staying at the same company for a long time (or until retirement) but in the same position? I'm one of the PPs with a great schedule - I am a Senior Program Officer which in my organization is kind of middle managment. I'm 34 now but it would look really strange to people for me to be in this position - or a similar position with a different organization - at 40, 45, 50 - you just don't see it. But here's my little secret - I don't really want any more responsibility or prestige or stress. I don't want to be an Associate Director or Director. How does one hang out in the middle for their entire career?

I am 13:24. I dunno, and I guess I can see why people might think this is strange. I, however, work at a totally flat organization where there is nowhere for me to go, anyway. So, I guess that's how I plan to do it.

I don't think it's weird to think about staying at the same company for a long time (or until retirement) but in the same position? I'm one of the PPs with a great schedule - I am a Senior Program Officer which in my organization is kind of middle managment. I'm 34 now but it would look really strange to people for me to be in this position - or a similar position with a different organization - at 40, 45, 50 - you just don't see it. But here's my little secret - I don't really want any more responsibility or prestige or stress. I don't want to be an Associate Director or Director. How does one hang out in the middle for their entire career?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know, I have a similarly low key job, but make more $$$. I find it moderately stimulating, but am not passionate about it at all. I don't think I will EVER look for another position.

Never?

I have a somewhat similar situation, great flexibility, pay is decent. Figured I'd ramp up some day but I admit as more and more time passes not sure I want to - don't feel like suddenly being stressed about work, what's the point. Weird to think about staying at the same company forever though.

Is it? My FIL about had a heart attack when DH started looking for a more interesting job. I think it's fairly modern to think we should just skip around looking for "satisfaction".

Anonymous wrote:I don't know, I have a similarly low key job, but make more $$$. I find it moderately stimulating, but am not passionate about it at all. I don't think I will EVER look for another position.

Never?

I have a somewhat similar situation, great flexibility, pay is decent. Figured I'd ramp up some day but I admit as more and more time passes not sure I want to - don't feel like suddenly being stressed about work, what's the point. Weird to think about staying at the same company forever though.

Anonymous wrote:50K

I have a low-key, low-stress job that's full-time but pretty easy hours (8:00 to 4:30 with a five minutes commute). I make less than you, though. There are days that I feel miserable with where I'm at professionally. Then I have a week like this week (multiple things at my child's school, husband out of the country for the week, etc), and I'm reminded how much the flexibility means to me. I also tell myself that at least I'm still working in my field and am keeping my skills current. When my home commitments finally ratchet down a bit, I can pursue a higher stress position that's more demanding and pays better. We're a bit strapped financially, but a more demanding job would end up costing me quite a bit in additional childcare.

I don't know, I have a similarly low key job, but make more $$$. I find it moderately stimulating, but am not passionate about it at all. I don't think I will EVER look for another position.

Here's the thing. I think it's actually easier to have a FT job with little kids. Once childcare is set up, you're good to go.

Once you hit public schools, you are then dealing with lots more days off, early releases, after school activities, and so on. That's when you want more flexibility.

So, in a nutshell, I'd say stay where you are. 50K is a great salary for essentially half-time work. (I'm counting the additional commute time that would go along with a 40-hr. WOH job).

50K