Working Moms Check In

emmy236 · October 2014

Hi Ladies! I hope everyone is having a good week! For this week's discussion I thought we could talk about career ambition now that our LOs are older. I know the first year back to work I didn't really want anything new because I was trying to survive being a first time parent. Now that we are no longer as sleep deprived and have a handle on what we're doing, are you ready to move forward professionally?

I am bringing this up because I am at cross roads professionally. You all know I work as a PM for a financial institution and my team was developed to address the changes and issues that came with the housing crisis and the federal and state legislative changes that came with it. We knew it would be a few really tough years but we also knew it would come to an end once all the major fires were put out. We are getting close to that time.

Here are my options.
1) stay on as a PM just in a different LOB and do similar projects which is fairly dull but I get to keep WFH and have the great flexibility with R. Or

2) Do I go for a job in the field that I really want to be in and do the type of work I have always wanted to do? I am currently getting my ACAMS cert which is what you need to be an investigator in the Anti Money Laundering and Economic Sanctions department. It's what I have always wanted to do and I had interviewed for a spot before but it was a developer role I really wasn't qualified for. Well the analyst role I wanted is up again. Just it's long hours and all on office. Zero flexibly.

1) what is new at work this week?

2) What is new at home and w/ LO?

3) Do you want to advance your career or even change careers at this point in your life?

4) If you want to, what would have to change for that to happen? SO making more money? More help with LOs? Relocating or going back to school?

5) GTKY: what candy did/do hope to get on Halloween?

huzzahuzza · October 2014

@emmy236 arent' you in grad school? What are you in for? (haha note the prison reference there?)

1) what is new at work this week?
Not a whole lot. It's Red Ribbon Week so the kids are crazy and we're dressing differently with different themes every day of the week. Today is neon day... didn't really have a whole lot of that to meet today's theme

2) What is new at home and w/ LO?
J is always a treat to be around but we're going to have to start cracking down on the nighttime issues... he doesn't eat dinner very well and then wakes up at like 4:00 and wants to eat... how does one fix that?!?!

3) Do you want to advance your career or even change careers at this point in your life?
I've been thinking about this a lot lately because there have been a lot of changes made internally in my job that makes me feel very isolated and separate from the school and staff. I originally went back to get my school counseling degree to better my classroom teaching skills but recently I've been fantasizing about a shorter commute and actually doing counseling... but I've also been fantasizing about the Title 1 position at my current school where the teacher is getting set to retire soon. That would make it so there are no papers to grade which would mean more family time.

4) If you want to, what would have to change for that to happen? SO making more money? More help with LOs? Relocating or going back to school?
The things that are holding me back from changing jobs is the dread of applying, leaving my awesome staff (we have some problems but I hear that in-town is much worse), and separating J from his awesome buddy that he's been with for the last 14 months. Oh and the other teacher not retiring... if she would retire that would make my decision for me I think.

5) GTKY: what candy did/do hope to get on Halloween?

I always wanted anything chocolate but Reeses were the fav in my house.

coffeeandbooks · October 2014

@emmy236 - I was in almost the exact same situation as you. I have my master's in library science and ultimately want to work at a university library. Right now, I work in non-profit library services. I work from home, have flexibility and good benefits. Recently, a job opened up by me which is a rare position in my area that was perfect for me at an academic library, but it meant no WFH, a 45 minute commute and no flexibility.
I was so tempted by the library job because that is what I want, but I took a hard look at the realties of what my day to day life would be like if I had the new job that ultimately I decided that flexibility was more important to me right now. The key being "right now." I am a firm believer in going after your dreams but timing is important too and so is looking at the real cost benefit.
I can totally see someone making a different decision though and I also think it is important to apply so you know what your real options are.

smg2302 · October 2014

1) what is new at work this week?
I am preparing my materials for a conference I am supposed to present at next week.

PS I won't be checking in next week as that is my travel day.

PPS What is there to do in St. Paul, MN?

2) What is new at home and w/ LO?
Her new favorite activity is puzzles. She gets so excited when she gets the pieces right. She also has taken the mimicry to a new level. My mom always greets her by saying "Hi Pumpkin!" So now she says "Hi Pumpkin!" to my mom.

3) Do you want to advance your career or even change careers at this point in your life?
Eventually I would like to get a Ph.D. I will probably wait until the kids start elementary school before making that move.

4) If you want to, what would have to change for that to happen? SO making more money? More help with LOs? Relocating or going back to school?
Going back to school and more help with the LOs.

5) GTKY: what candy did/do hope to get on Halloween?
Kit kat!!

@beaubecca did your institution ever decide to go public? I know you were concerned about how it would affect your family planning. Our institution was already public, but has recently changed benefits. They just decided that beginning Jan. 1, 2015 they would no longer offer sick leave donations. I'm due Feb., and DH was going to donate his time to me. Boo.

kelseyhh · October 2014

shopgirl921 said:

1) what is new at work this week? We are interviewing someone who would work directly with me, so it will be interesting to see how we get along. Also, we are having a caramel apple bar tomorrow! I just got back from shopping for the toppings for it.

2) What is new at home and w/ LO? I found out last week that I had a chemical pregnancy, so that sucked. And I'm still waiting to even get a call from my doctor after my blood test on Thursday. LO had an accident at daycare yesterday and had to go to the ER. His fingertip was cut to the bone but they were able to stitch it back on.

3) Do you want to advance your career or even change careers at this point in your life? I do want to advance, but I would love to stay at my company. And I'd love to be able to work less hours, too.

4) If you want to, what would have to change for that to happen? SO making more money? More help with LOs? Relocating or going back to school? If DH was making more money, I could work less hours no problem. I need my boss to realize there is a need for more support staff in order to specialize a bit more.

5) GTKY: what candy did/do hope to get on Halloween? Eh, I don't really eat candy anymore.

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about both of those things! Hopefully you are doing all right and your LO isn't too freaked out about his finger. That sounds so scary!

1. What is new at work this week?

Not too much really. Principal observations are starting, which always freaks me out. Luckily mine isn't for 2 more weeks. My good friend and teammate announced her pregnancy yesterday, and I am so excited for her. Makes me kind of wish I was pregnant again, even though I'm so not ready for that yet!

2. What is new at home and w/LO?

Well, as usual, Emmett has been sick again. He had about 1 week after his last cold where he was healthy. Then, last Friday he woke up with major congestion/drainage and a wet cough. Luckily he seems to be at the tail end of it!

He's such a little ham these days. He's always trying to make us laugh. If he does something that he thinks is funny and one of us didn't see it, he'll do it over and over again until we do and acknowledge how funny he is!

Not as much fun is how defiant he's becoming. Whatever we ask him to do, he'll do the opposite. He's also really into hitting people and animals right now, which we're trying to work on. Ugh, toddlers!

3.Do you want to advance in your career or change careers at this time?

Well, unless I wanted to get my principal licensure (which I don't), there's not much room for advancement. One potential change would be grade levels. A few years ago I mentioned to my principal that I always wanted to teach middle school some day. Well, when we decided to go K-8, he offered me an 8th grade position. I turned it down because it would have been for last year, when I had a new baby and was taking maternity leave. I did change grade levels this year, but only from 3rd-4th. I'm still trying to decide if I should move to 7th or 8th if a position opens. Part of me is scared because it would be so much work and planning. I already feel like I have no time. On the other hand, it is something that I've always wanted to do. So the internal struggle continues!

MamaMD · October 2014

1) what is new at work this week?

We finally got some good financial numbers for the month of September and we are finally in the black. It's a relief but usually we are in the black by the end of first quarter so it just shows how everything went to sh*t this year (financially).

2) What is new at home and w/ LO?

LO caught a cold last weekend and also had her flu shot on Saturday so that was fun. I thought she was getting better but seems more congested today so I'm not sure. No fever though so she has been able to go to daycare (thank goodness!).

3) Do you want to advance your career or even change careers at this point in your life?

There's not really much advancement for me unless I want to get into a more administrative or managerial role. Which I don't. Really I just want to take care of patients and leave the policy-making and insurance company negotiating to someone else. So no plans to change what I am doing at this time.

4) If you want to, what would have to change for that to happen? SO making more money? More help with LOs? Relocating or going back to school?

The only change I would consider at this point is a geographical one like if we decided to move back to where our families are (NYC area). It's on my mind but not practical right now.

5) GTKY: what candy did/do hope to get on Halloween?

Chocolate! Specifically I love putting my chocolate candy in the freezer like Snickers, Milky Way, or Peppermint Patties.

snowgirl427 · October 2014

@shopgirl921 - OMG! I hope LOs finger is OK!

@tricia560 - My head hurts just reading what you have to do. That definitely does not sound like fun.

1) what is new at work this week?

Nothing. I'm actually home this week and next (thank god). My leader has been out so things have been a littler quieter than usual so I'm playing catch-up.

2) What is new at home and w/ LO?

So much! So, DH got a job. I'm so happy for him. It doesn't pay that well, but it gets him out of the house and gives him a purpose, so I'm excited. He's been miserable and been making my life miserable. This will be a good change.

J is doing great. He's running around everywhere. His talking seems to be a little behind some of the others (after reading some of the comments on here). He hasn't really gained any new words but is using the ones he knows a lot. He babbles a ton and is practicing making different sounds/noises, so I think he's close.

DH and I met with the RE this week. Did all my blood tests and DH's SA is tomorrow. They are thinking he may have some problems and if the SA comes back, it's likely they will try him on Clomid a couple of months (if it's a motility issue). Then, if still no pregnancy, we will probably talk IUI or IVF the beginning of the year.

3) Do you want to advance your career or even change careers at this point in your life?

I don't. Honestly, I make a good living, I like the people I work with. The only thing I'd prefer to be doing is to be a SAHM, but that isn't in the cards. The biggest reason though is my flexibility. I WFH full-time. I can come and go as I please. While I've had a ton of travel as of late, that should also be calming down by December. Add all of that to my benefits, I can't go somewhere else and have a situation that will fit the needs of my family as well.

4) If you want to, what would have to change for that to happen? SO making more money? More help with LOs? Relocating or going back to school?
To be a SAHM, DH needs to make a ton more money.

5) GTKY: what candy did/do hope to get on Halloween?

Like my better half @beaubecca - I also loved the Reese's candies. My other favorite it York Peppermint patties. I will be good however and not eat any. They don't TOT in our neighborhood so we have no reason to buy or get candy. We took LO Trunk or treating for the experience, but didn't take any candy since he doesn't eat it.

smg2302 · October 2014

@shopgirl921 I'm so sorry for all you are going through this week. Scary stuff! I hope you are doing okay now.

telicious2 · October 2014

1) What is new at work this week? Not a whole lot. Finished my performance review to hand into my manager. 2) What is new at home and w/ LO? Started timeouts. Too early to tell the effectiveness of it just yet. DH sent in his cover letter and resume to the internship coordinator of his favorite sports team earlier this month because he thought the internship ran Nov. 1 thru Jan 31. He called today to follow up and turns out submitting CLs/resumes for the internship runs 11/1-1/31 for a summer 2015 internship. So there may be hope! 3) Do you want to advance your career or even change careers at this point in your life? I would love a career change, but to what I do not know. I would probably need to go back to school for another Bachelor’s degree. I would love to get out of the laboratory setting. I am a Med Tech II and tomorrow there is a meeting for the Career Ladder with the intro of Med Tech III. But from rumors, it sounds very rigorous to become a Med Tech III. Someone just left the company as a QA Specialist. I saw this position posted AFTER I returned from maternity leave and it was already filled. Definitely keeping my eye out for it this time! Although, I make an extra 15% on nights, so if I got this position, I would probably need to go back to days and I would probably ask for a 15% raise

. 4) If you want to, what would have to change for that to happen? SO making more money? More help with LOs? Relocating or going back to school? DH has always said that if he made enough money for me to stay home I should take classes to go back to work in a field I want to. 5) GTKY: what candy did/do hope to get on Halloween? I am also a fan of Kit Kats and Reese’s PB cups!

telicious2 · October 2014

Ugh, terribly sorry about the formatting! And it won't let me edit, grrrr! @shopgirl929 I hope things get better soon! @allydncr Congrats on being one step closer to being in your own home!!

john5111 · October 2014

1) what is new at work this week? Had a new person start so busy training her and getting her everything she needs:) Keeps me busy! 2) What is new at home and w/ LO? He is climbing and standing on everything! Got his flu shot last week at his apt. He likes to bites us and say ow now. AHHH. Maybe I shouldnt have taught him the word ow, owie bc now I think he likes to bite so well say it. 3) Do you want to advance your career or even change careers at this point in your life? I actually was kinda offered a promotion back in the area of finance where I first started...Im kinda at a loss of what to do. Yes it would be more money and back in the area where my degree is but Im wondering if the extra money is worth it..where I am now I am kinda on the path towards management and if I stick it out a lil longer I could possibly get a management role and that is kind of what I want. This promotion Im worried would be late night calls and lots of stress and Im not sure I could handle that right now. My husband travels a lot and has alot of weird meetings so someone needs to take care of LO. I just dont know what to do. I dont have to decide right now but in the next month or two. They dont know much about the new position either so its hard to know what to do. 4) If you want to, what would have to change for that to happen? SO making more money? More help with LOs? Relocating or going back to school? More hours and stress...less time with LO. Right now Im not sure its worth it to me. I feel like one person at least needs to be focused on LO right now. 5) GTKY: what candy did/do hope to get on Halloween? I love chocolate..Reeses Snickers etc.. I am not a huge sugary candy girl.

kcwnc · October 2014

@shopgirl921, I'm glad your little guy is already happily showing off his war wound. Hugs to you about the CP. That's a lot to handle, especially at once.

1) what is new at work this week?
Not much, this week has flown by because it's been so busy. Starting next Thursday I'm off for 2 weeks so a lot of prep for being OOTO. We dressed up for Halloween at work and are having so much fun today!

2) What is new at home and w/ LO?
Someone has turned into a picky eater this week. He'll hang out and maybe have a bite or two unless we give him his absolute favorite things. Glad to hear we weren't the only ones in this boat and I hope it passes quickly for everyone. Also my H actually suggested we attend the local mega church's halloween event last night. I was shocked (he's an atheist) but he's working today and tomorrow so he wanted to see K in his costume. We all had fun even though there wasn't a lot for his age group to do.

3) Do you want to advance your career or even change careers at this point in your life?
I would love to but things are mighty stagnant in the HR side of our company so I would have to take a dive into another field, IT or Ops Management. The whole reason I left ops was because I had a team I was responsible for leading each day, knowing that we have a LO and another on the way has helped me put things into perspective. Maybe once the boys are 3 and 5 I could think about that again.

4) If you want to, what would have to change for that to happen? SO making more money? More help with LOs? Relocating or going back to school?
We'd need some family to relocate to live in the area so I would have a back up when the boys weren't feeling 100.

5) GTKY: what candy did/do hope to get on Halloween?
I'm a SPK fan but we don't get much of those around here, mostly chocolate.

telicious2 · October 2014

allydncr said:
@shopgirl921 - omg yes! I totally bought diapers last week at CVS - that is too funny! If you recognize me again, say hi! I usually have my head in the clouds when I am on the T... We'll be around the same area in the new house, but no more orange line for me! I'll be bussing it once we move - we'll see how that goes...

@allydncr‌ and @shopgirl921‌ We need to plan a G2G once ally is moved in and settled!

telicious2 · October 2014

beaubecca said:

rea1687 said:

allydncr said:
@shopgirl921 - omg yes! I totally bought diapers last week at CVS - that is too funny! If you recognize me again, say hi! I usually have my head in the clouds when I am on the T... We'll be around the same area in the new house, but no more orange line for me! I'll be bussing it once we move - we'll see how that goes...
@allydncr‌ and @shopgirl921‌ We need to plan a G2G once ally is moved in and settled!

I think that G2G should be a road trip to the DMV!

I don't think the babies would do well at the Dept of Motor Vehicles

JK. I remember you mentioned before it's a tri-area in DC. That would be pretty cool to do a G2G at a halfway point. If I win the lottery then definitely, for sure all expenses paid for everyone to somewhere nice!

smg2302 · November 2014

Or y'all could come to disney world. Florida always gets left out of the G2Gs.

telicious2 · November 2014

smg2302 said:
Or y'all could come to disney world. Florida always gets left out of the G2Gs.

I will definitely keep in you in mind for when we plan to take DS to Disney!

Want a personalized experience?

Working Moms Check In

Re: Working Moms Check In

Choose Another Board

Search Boards