Switching Jobs for the Family: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Being a mom and having a career at the same time is tough. There are days when you may want to throw in the towel and just stay home. That’s where you’re most needed, right? Unfortunately, with today’s economy and education costs, a two-income household is necessary to raise a family. So, when an opportunity comes your way to switch jobs, do you take it?

First of all, make sure to talk over this job switch with your significant other. If there is only one conversation you need to have before making this choice, it is the one you will have with your spouse, your partner. This is not only an individual decision but a family decision. Whatever you do will affect what he does and your family’s day-to-day activities. Below are some questions that both of you can talk about.


Dealing with Stress
Is the income increase significant? If it is, that’s great! But just remember that a job is an activity-based income. As they say with power: the more you have of it, the more responsibility you carry. An income increase also means an increase in scope and expectation. Can you take the stress level that accompanies any increase in salary? Can your health take it in the long term? This is actually the same thing you need to consider when you are promoted. A promotion is good news income-wise. But you also need to remember that it comes with more responsibility as well. If you are wise with your time and productivity, it doesn’t necessarily mean more work at the office.


Quality Time with the Kids
Will the quality of your children’s childhood experiences be affected by this job switch? Will it be better for them? Worse off? Or just the same? Being on the fast track in a high stress job may not be good news if your child is just a baby or a toddler. Consider the kind of quality time that you can still devote to your kids. Child care costs may not be an issue to you but maybe your priceless time might be compromised by a job switch. Or perhaps you are making the job switch so you can spend more time with your kids. Do the reverse and check whether the switch will significantly affect your cash flow. Can you adjust your lifestyle for this choice? A lifestyle isn’t built in a day. It’s one of the hardest things to adjust to.

Click here to read on about your happiness and self-fulfillment when considering to switch jobs.

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Your Happiness and Self-Fulfillment
Will you be happy at work? Will your new job play to your strengths and your sense of fulfillment? Remember that you will practically spend your waking hours at this job. Is it worth it in terms of self-fulfillment? Does this kind of work make you shine and give you something to look forward to? Or will it make you dread getting up in the morning? Only you know what kind of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment this job switch will give you. Is it worth it? Trite as it sounds, it’s true: you need to follow your heart. If your heart’s not in it, then it’s not worth it.

Making a career change, whether it’s getting promoted, getting a higher-paying job, or switching careers, involves making a joint decision with your spouse. As the core of the family, you need to be united and firm in your conviction and vision for your future. Talk over the pros and cons that cover cash flow, stress levels, quality time with your kids and your own sense of self-fulfillment. And remember, even if this is a big commitment for you, there’s always more room for improvement and change in your life. Make the choice, evaluate, but don’t stick it out if it’s not working for you.


Photo from sxc.hu