Moms of more than 1 or expecting

that work outside of the home

How close in age are your children?

Do you think it affected your career?

How did your employer react?

just wondering...

TiA

Re: Moms of more than 1 or expecting

i'm going to answer, even though i am home now, but if it wasnt for surprise pg #2, i would be working right now.

My kids are 14 months apart

So far, I think it has since i was on the road of career advancement when I had to quit, doors were finally opening in the right direction for me and I was finally loving going to work everyday.

My employer was very disappointed but understood and even offered to let me work 1/2 time from home. But i still had NO one to watch DD's and full time daycare wouldn't make it worth the time and money to work. (There's no way i'd be able to do what i do while watching both of them during the day)

I miss working, but love staying home with my girls, it's bittersweet for me. i made and make lots of sacrafices everyday to be home with them.

Re: Moms of more than 1 or expecting

thank you for sharing your story

Re: Moms of more than 1 or expecting

My boys are 4 and 1/2 years apart (not by choice) and it has worked out very well. My older guy is very independent and knows that I cant cater to him every moment.
As far as work goes, I'm a teacher and the time span allowed my to accumulate a considerable amount of days.
So although I was sad that they werent closer in age, things worked out well.

Re: Moms of more than 1 or expecting

Mine are 15 months apart and it has not affected my career. I work f/t and I know my two boys are well taken care off.

Re: Moms of more than 1 or expecting

My two are 14 months apart and before #2 I was managing a team of 8, repsonsible for $36 million in biz. When I had #2, I knew I couldn't go back full time so my company let me "step down" to a non-managerial position and work only four days a week. It was also bittersweet for me because I was defnintely on the fast track career-wise but i knew I couldn't continue on that path without sacrificing a lot of time away from my children, which I wasn't willing to do.

Re: Moms of more than 1 or expecting

I am expecting my 2nd and they will be 18 months apart. My employer doesn't know yet, but I'll give you my perspective on whether it will affect my career. YES.

Having one already affected my career. First, when I was 8 months pregnant with DD I was offered an amazing opportunity within the company but for another group. One that I had to turn down because the location and hours wouldn't work with daycare.

Then while I was on maternity leave, my boss called to offer me an internal promotion and I had to turn that down as well since it would not allow me to work from home 2 days a week.

Now they still gave me a promotion of sorts, but I can tell you I don't have the passion I used to. I'm not giving 100%. I know it, they know it.

I know they will totally freak out when they hear I'm having a 2nd. They know that my DD comes first and with 2 its going to be really really hard for me to meet the objectives of my current role while giving my DC the attention and time that I want.

I want to go PT, but I"m not sure that will work with my current employer. I think once I make the announcement I'm essentially ending my career to some degree. There's just not enough of me to go around, I'm already being stretched thin.


ETA: BUT I will say - they would totally support me and my career growth if I was willing to sacarfice more at home. Meaning work in the office 5 days, have more flexible hours (right now I'm 8:30 - 4:30) and travel. All things "I'M" not willing to do. It doesn't have to be the end for me, but I'm not willing to give up the time with my DC. It was totally a personal choice and not forced on me.

Message edited 11/20/2007 3:48:41 PM.

Re: Moms of more than 1 or expecting

My boys are 21 months apart.

Hmmm... has it affected my career, I think so. I was laid off by two different companies when I was pg. While I was told that it was budget related, I believe otherwise.

I started my current job 9 weeks after #2 was born. So far so good here.... It's a really small company, but everyone here is pretty young and just starting families. So I think there's more understanding and flexibility. I think I am more conscious of things and try to make sure I do my share of work, so no one could ever question when I need to leave early or work from home when the kids are sleep.