When you had your first born, did you consider whether you should stay working full-time? Part-time? Or be a full-time stay at home mom? Obviously not everyone is able to consider all those options — some may want to stay home for instance, and that may not be an option available to them.
I’ve always been very ambitious, and I loved my career. So when we found out we were pregnant with Baby Cupcake, we immediately put a childcare plan in place. Fast forward to when the baby actually arrived, and I was blindsided after I realized going back to work felt like torture for me.
With our financial situation, there was no way that could work for us. I was in the middle of getting my doctorate, and we had BIG loans to pay soon. I began constantly obsessing and regretting my past decisions and kicking myself for not realizing earlier that I really wanted to be a stay at home mom. And I’ll be honest: that first year back was very tough. I found myself having a difficult time giving it my all to the second graders I taught while wishing I was loving on my little baby boy at home. I just didn’t enjoy my job as much as I used to. I came home exhausted and tired and then felt guilty that I didn’t have the energy to be a “good mom” to Baby Cupcake.
After I finished school, I found myself looking at other job options. In the world of K-12 education, there are actually some high paying jobs at the district level. But they would require even more hours away from home, and I just wasn’t comfortable with that. Then last summer, I saw a job posting at a local university for which I was a perfect fit. I applied and starting growing excited about the job and then found out the salary: more than 15K less than my current salary. As I’ve mentioned before, my family is on a mission to become debt free and obviously a large pay cut would slow us down. After I was offered the job, I was able to take a couple of days before giving an answer. The ONLY con was the pay. Here are the pros:
- Flexible schedule: I teach four classes per semester, and unless I have class or meetings, I have the ability to work from home.
- The flexible schedule also allows me to get more household tasks and errands done, so when my husband comes home on Fridays we don’t have to worry about laundry and groceries and other weekend preparations.
- I achieved my life-long dream of being a college professor!
- Longer summer and winter breaks.
- I now come home from work and have more energy to really be present with Fitz. Kudos to all the other teacher moms out there – I am truly in awe of teachers (especially K-6) who have energy at school AND at home!
- I truly enjoy and find fulfillment in my job. I was starting to lose this in my prior position, and it wasn’t healthy for me or my family.
- I have more time to research my instructional practice and I am constantly learning and growing.
- I have ownership over what I teach and I found that teaching adults is a good fit for me.
- I get tuition reimbursement for my husband who can take courses and get his own pay raises for having more credit hours in his field.
The cons are many and varied! Still, many people have straight up told me that I am crazy for taking such a large pay cut, when I could have sought out a higher paying job. But since I took that job last year, I’ve felt so much more balance in my life and enjoyment in my work. The pay cut was worth it because my happiness is having a ripple effect on our whole family, which is priceless to me.
blogger / apricot / 482 posts
Such a good post! As Mr. Dolphin and I consider job opportunities (especially me since I’m actively on the job market right now), pay is an important consideration because of our own student debt. However, it’s definitely NOT the only consideration. Mr. Dolphin, for example, noted he would take a significant pay cut for a job that let him telecommute more, which would allow him to avoid the stress of commuting and have more hours to spend at home with the kids.
persimmon / 1082 posts
Great post! Do what is best for you and the family! I work full time but have Alot of flexibility. I have decided that I would not apply for other positions that pay way more cause I know it will take me away from my family. I enjoy the balance my family and I have with me working and the LO going to a private school that helps him thrive. However, I love that I can take long maternity leaves, be off when I feel like it and each time my children are sick. I wouldn’t change that for more money at all. So glad to hear you are able to find balance and happiness cause it’s all important!
guest
This post makes me smile. I love that you are finding your way, even if your way isn’t the same as anyone else’s! I’ve always dreamed of earning my doctorate and teaching adults but haven’t pursued it because the pay is less than just working on the field.
On a second note I love that your feelings changed about being with your babe more, mine did too! My mom always told me that they might-from a very young age. But the shift is indescribable. I’m ever grateful for her wisdom which helped spare me from having to work financially. I’ve stayed home for nearly 7 years now, and I love it more now than ever.
pomelo / 5084 posts
Love this! Straight salary is NOT the only way you’re compensated! Flexible hours, longer blocks of time off, tuition and health care benefits, 401k contributions by your university, and in a few years you may be back up so the salary gap is super small!
pear / 1565 posts
This is a great post! And such a tough decision for each family. Personally, while I never took a pay cut, I know I can probably make close to double what I’m making in similar positions if I worked in the city, but I was not willing to add to my commute and loose out on time with my kids!
blogger / apricot / 275 posts
so glad you sought out and found balance!
persimmon / 1390 posts
I took a $5,000-ish pay cut just over a year ago. I have fully admitted that I “mommy-tracked” myself and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. My benefits and time off remained the same, but I was rewarded with a 15 minute shorter commute and a much lower stress level. I am waiting to hear today actually about a position I was offered that is even more flexible, but came with a lower salary that I had to counter (there is a limit after all!). I’m anticipating they’ll come back just shy of what I asked for, but my husband and I have said we’ll still consider because of the fact that it will afford us some more flexibility.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
totally worth the pay cut for a happier life!
blogger / olive / 52 posts
@Mrs. Dolphin: I love this! Yes, I still had a minimum that I had to make, Good luck on your hunt!
blogger / olive / 52 posts
@cake2017: This sounds great! Good for you!
blogger / olive / 52 posts
@wrkbrk: Yes, when we thought about it like that “other ways of compensation” it made more sense. Especially when we compared insurance plans with my other job (way better) and getting free college for my children if I stay in higher ed!
blogger / olive / 52 posts
@Mrs. Gumdrop: Thank you!
blogger / olive / 52 posts
@Becky: That’s awesome-Good luck to you!
guest
Sometimes, the pay isn’t everything. I also took a big pay cut, and lost my 4 weeks of vacation yearly (I now accrue every hour of it, and only 2 weeks a week). However, I get more family balance since my previous job had me working 2nd shift. While my husband and I both got to spend some time with our daughter every day, we hardly saw each other. Now we eat dinner as a family most nights, and do bath and bedtime together.