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Dads & Dads-to-be
Change jobs for less travel?
I am writing on behalf of my husband...
He works as a consultant currently and is very often on the road (NYC one week, Atlanta the next) and often in one location for Monday-Thursdays week after week. Despite numerous pleas with his current company to travel less (especially now with baby on the way), the nature of his work does not allow for such flexibility.
He was recently approached with a non-travel opportunity doing similar work.. You would think this would be a no-brainer.. but its a bit more complicated than that...
If he stays with his current company, he has the opportunity to climb the ladder rather quickly and nearly triple his salary in less than 5 years. He will also continue to have luxury work-from-home days every now and then, but he will also travel... probably even more than he does now.
If he leaves for the new opportunity, he will HAVE to report to an office everyday, monday-friday (no more working from home), but he won't travel at all... his salary, although will still be comfortable, will never blow up they way it could with his current position.
Any other dads (or moms) have experience in such a decision? Advice?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Change jobs for less travel?
You only get the baby "firsts" once.
Since you said his "pleas" have gone on deaf ears at his company for less travel, it sounds like he is wanting to stay home with the baby.
Here is the deal:
You said he has the opportunity to climb the ladder really quick at his current job. How solid is that? Is that almost a 100% guarantee? Because tripling salary (but being gone all the time) would be better financial security for your family.
If it were me, I would at least interview with the new job. It doesn't hurt to interview and explore your options. That company may have other perks he doesn't realize. Maybe the advancement opportunity could be there as well?
If it were me, I would interview. Weigh the finances and see if you can make it work comfortably (which you say you can). If so, I would take the new job. I would want to be home every night to see my kid grow up- not through facebook posts and skype.
Just my opinion.
You already stated that he is pleading to stay home more, so is the triple salary really worth being home even less?
Like my fellow dad said, you only get one shot at the firsts. Does your husband really want to be hundreds of miles away for your child's first words, steps, etc.?
I also agree that he should probably do at least the interview, see what the other company has to offer. Maybe he could get on the fast track there if the company is growing, leading to a partial increase.
Before I had my LO, I walked away from a job that had me in the wrong location even though the pay was a lot higher then what I ended up back with my now wife.
I made the decision along time ago that people that I love will always come before money. Then again, my wife and I don't really care much about keeping up with the Jones and have different ideas of what a good time is.
If having a "good" lifestyle and a high income then I would have your husband keep his current job. If instead you want him home every evening I would have him take the new opportunity. Only you and your husband can make that decision.
I made mine over 5 years ago and even though I am still not back to making what I did right out of school I am a lot happier being around family and friends that love me for who I am. As an added bonus I have a LO that loves me unconditionally and a wife who loves me the same way.
I agree with the above...
He should take the interview and consider all options. If it was me, I would probably go with the 9-5, local job. I love being home with my kid and the thought of traveling a lot, missing out on him growing up AND leaving my wife to raise him alone seems rough and unfair. But you both have to decide what is best for you. Sounds like the traveling job has a lot of money and promotions involved, unfortunately that means you have to weigh the two. Money and career advancement versus being home every night and local to attend to your family.
Good luck.