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Would you take a paycut and step back for flexible schedule/wah?

maddie80maddie80
in Working Moms

I have a 4 year old DS, and DD was born early this year.  I've been back at work since April, and my schedule has been a little nuts.  I've been leaving the house at 7:30 and getting home around 6, which for my pre-kids self was no biggie, but has been killing me lately.  I feel like I see the kids for just enough time to eat and put them to bed.  It's especially bad with DS, because he spends a good portion of his weekends with his dad, my XH, so we don't really ahve the weekend to "catch up."  I have to be honest - work with 2 little people at home, as well as the stress of dealing with XH has been killing me.   My DH stays home and does some WAH, which helps, but I am so tired all the time.  My boss has also basically told me I can't take any days off through the holidays (even though I have weeks of PTO stored up).  I just spoke with one of my former bosses (same company, but different department) about returning there.  I was there after DS turned 1, and worked 2 days from home.  It went beautifully.  He is hiring again and was interested in me coming back.  I could either work a few days from home, or work an early schedule so I could pick DS up every day at 3:30. 

The kicker?  It's definitely a paycut.  We could absorb it, but things will be tight.  But, I'd be able to take time off over the holidays without issues, leave when the kids had issues, be more available.  I'd be doing more flexible work. 

Help?

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Re: Would you take a paycut and step back for flexible schedule/wah?

  • maddie80maddie80
    It might make it tougher when I'm looking to move on, but I feel like work life balance is so important to me right now, I just can't stand things the way they are, know what I mean?  Even if I hold out on things as they are until DD is in school, I'd still have some problems with after care, the afternoon rush, etc.  Plus, my current job seems to get really busy right around the time I want to slow down (holidays), and my boss and coworker get vacay priority, and I don't see that changing.  It's a big paycut though.  20%.  Ouch.
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  • StrunellaStrunella member
    I would take the new position as long as you can swing it financially.  You can't put a  price on sanity and extra time with your kids....they're only young once.  I know for me right now, I'm not looking to climb up the corporate ladder. I want to do my job and go home to see my son.  This isn't to say that I don't put in some long hours sometimes, but if I had the opportunity to have a better balance, I'd take it....paycut and all. 
     
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  • Nechie122Nechie122 member
    If you're able to add more time at home, could your DH use those hours to increase his workload? Then it might balance out financially.

    Regardless, I'd say do it if you could afford it.
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  • jeffsjaymejeffsjayme
    Yes, I don't do any WAH, but I cut back to 24 hours/week when my LO was born.  Sanity saver!  I work M-F, but just until 12:30 most days.
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  • GlinkaGirlGlinkaGirl member
    I would take the cut for flexibility. 
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  • gwennecgwennec member
    I would do it if you could swing it financially. The good news is that by WAH you save money on gas/commuting costs, lunches out and dry cleaning, etc. So depending on how long a commute you have and your work attire, the savings can really add up. I worked in an office until DD1 was born and then took a WAH job. It was a paycut and more of a lateral move for me, but worth it to be able to have the flexibility I needed. Most of my company is WAH, including my boss, so it hasn't been an issue. I even got a promotion after a few months into a management position with more money. So being remote does not always mean you are taking a step back in your career. I say, go for it!
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  • PrintergirlPrintergirl

    If you can swing it financially and you can see yourself enjoying the work then I say go for it! I just proposed going 90% which will be a 10% pay cut. Worth it for me to get 4 hours a week at home. Coupon clipping will be happening. :)

     

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  • jf198400jf198400 member
    I would absolutely take a step back and a paycut in exchange for quality of life.  In fact I did.  I returned to work PT, 4days/week after my 2nd ML.  I am doing the same job, I just work one less day, and thus took a 20% cut in salary.  I absolutley LOVE this new schedule.  Before  I was always stressed out and felt like I was drowning, now I feel like I am able to spend enough time with my kids and manage the household stuff, and thus its much more bareable being at work.  I say go for it, you won't regret it!
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  • FianschneidFianschneid member
    In a word, yes. It would be ideal for me.
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  • semdkmsemdkm
    I would and I did and I continue to do so.  I'm an attorney making 1/2 her worth right now in dollars but I took (and kept) this job as opposed to much higher paying ones (like double my current salary) because I get the flex time (work from home two days--kids still go to care but I'm home to give them a kiss when they get home withe their Dad at one, give a snack, ask about their day, go back to work but they know I'm here if they absolutely need "mommy").  The days I go in are hell for me--those are my 7:30 to 6 days, and they kill me.  I do have to put in a decent amount of time once the kids go to bed, but I never, ever miss dinner or bedtime or their doctors' appointments, etc.  It would be nice to have a job that paid more so we could afford more savings, vacations, etc., but as long as we can pay our bills and put healthy food on the table and pay for good schools/care while they are young, I'd much prefer the extra time with my kids than the extra money, and I'm very thankful I even have the option of choosing.
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  • maddie80maddie80

    imagesemdkm:
    I would and I did and I continue to do so.  I'm an attorney making 1/2 her worth right now in dollars but I took (and kept) this job as opposed to much higher paying ones (like double my current salary) because I get the flex time (work from home two days--kids still go to care but I'm home to give them a kiss when they get home withe their Dad at one, give a snack, ask about their day, go back to work but they know I'm here if they absolutely need "mommy").  The days I go in are hell for me--those are my 7:30 to 6 days, and they kill me.  I do have to put in a decent amount of time once the kids go to bed, but I never, ever miss dinner or bedtime or their doctors' appointments, etc.  It would be nice to have a job that paid more so we could afford more savings, vacations, etc., but as long as we can pay our bills and put healthy food on the table and pay for good schools/care while they are young, I'd much prefer the extra time with my kids than the extra money, and I'm very thankful I even have the option of choosing.

    Hey, I'm an attorney too.  I know exactly what you mean.  :)  It's so hard.  I went from private practice to 5 day govt practice, and I'm looking to get even more flexible.  It's hard to hear about your classmates making double or sometimes triple (ouch), but I couldn't imagine working like they're working. 

     As for things financial - it would definitely mean cutting back, and cutting back/waiting on our savings goals too.  But I feel like there won't ever be a time when that wouldn't be true, know what I mean?

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  • semdkmsemdkm
    Maddie80--I do know what you mean.  Given the amount of my loans, I'm not sure I'll EVER be where I'd like financially.  I don't know whether that security will ever come but I DO know my kids are growing very quickly and I certainly won't get this time back. Now, obviously if we couldn't pay the mortgage or God forbid my husband loses his job and I don't have a real choice, things would have to change.  But for now, I just can't bring myself to leave my kids more for more money alone.  Yes, they're in great care (and one is now in Kindergarten)--and I don't think they're worse off by me not being around 24-7, but I really would have a hard time leaving them more than I do now.  For what it's worth, even my husband isn't making what he could in OT because it's important to us that he's home by 1 to spend time with the kids while I'm working (he works 4 am to 12 pm--terrible hours but means we need only part time care).  Again, though, we're lucky to have the option and I really feel for those who don't.  I also see my friends who are attorneys working like dogs, and frankly, they don't even have time to enjoy the money they are making..."vacation time" is anything but when depositions, trials, impossible partners are calling, etc.  No thank you!  I'll skip fancy vacations and stay at home broke and unbothered playing endless Candyland in our pajamas, thank you ;)
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  • GibsonGirl620GibsonGirl620 member
    Another vote for yes! If you can do it, do it. I SAH for almost a year and just went back to a PT position that pays 60 percent less than what I used to make. Yes, you read that right, lol. BUT I have time and sanity, and that is priceless. GL!
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  • 2-Step2-Step member

    I've done it twice now and I'm happier than ever. First time was a 20% paycut to stay home on Fridays when DS #1 was born. When #2 came along I was still working crazy long days and traveling a lot. I just took a part time WFH 20 hr per week job. About a 60% paycut! However, I'll be cutting daycare costs by over half and doing freelance work on the side too, which I can charge a much higher hourly rate for.

    Now I'm somewhere between a SAHM and a WM and I love the flexibility and wouldn't trade it for anything. It's not for everyone though. The thing for me is that I've always wanted to just do freelance work, so I don't see myself ever going back to corporate management. If I saw myself wanting to climb the ladder again I might have thought twice. 

    Our budget is tight, but not unmanageable. Yes, if I were working full-time in a stressful job we could be a LOT richer, but I completely believe that would not make me any happier or nicer for my family to be around and I think that is what matters most.

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  • law&orderlaw&order member

    Lurker here.  I just took a huge paycut for this exact reason.  I'm an attorney and was leaving the house to drop off at daycare at 6:50 am to be at court by 8am.  I got home at 6pm and felt I had a terrible balance in my life.  It was all about work and DS when I was with him (which wasn't much).  Zero time for me and very little for DH.  

    I now work in academics and get a week off at Christmas, 8 weeks in the summer, and I'm 8:30-5 with good flexibility.  The sanity makes the pay cut worth it 100%. I've never been happier, personally or professionally. 

    If you can make things work financially, the time with your family and better balance in your life is priceless, really.     

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