Comments on: Quit work for a while to have kids. Your career will be just fine

By: Henan

Henan — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:07:22 +0000

Hi everyone, it is Labor Day! I'm happy with my extra day off, and I am planning to make something fun that'll probably involve a bike ride and seeing something new in Burnsville I haven't seen yet.
You write something new on a Monday at the labor day? … HApPy BLoggiNg!

By: SLC

SLC — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:56:38 +0000

With jobs now being outsourced to places like India and China, I don't think we'll have a lack of workers in Gen X as you said. I really respect what you are preaching, that our children deserve more nurture from their parents and not just delegate to the nanny. I really want to quit but being in the tech field, I know my job will just go overseas. It's not like a book you've bookmarked and you can return to the same page later. I'd have to start all over again as a cashier at Target or Walmart.

By: jcutter

jcutter — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:11:24 +0000

Penelope – Would your advice hold true in this economy? If I left my job after my leave, I would think that everyone would be wondering (1) was I involved in the law firm layoffs or (2) if not, what kind of idiot would leave? This is only relevant if the earth shatters and I can't make a career change go at some point and have to re-enter the legal profession. My plan right now – possibly try grad school in psychology and see what I think; network and explore some other careers and hire part-time child care; not really sure right now. I have saved up enough money to dawdle for a while.

By: support from the (blogging) universe « McGraw Family

support from the (blogging) universe « McGraw Family — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:38:17 +0000

[...] the nanny. Also, keep in mind that quitting work to have kids and reentering the workforce later is not that difficult for moms today. So get back into the workforce as soon as you think your kids can handle it; the [...]

By: The rare woman tech start-up founder » 16th letter » Blog Archive

The rare woman tech start-up founder » 16th letter » Blog Archive — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:51:40 +0000

[...] factor because I read Penelope Trunk's blog, which, honestly, scares the hell out of me. (Go read some of those posts, you'll fall in love with her blog, but you'll be [...]

By: Truths about work hurt and heal « Goals are Stupid

Truths about work hurt and heal « Goals are Stupid — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:55:21 +0000

[...] jobs over the course of one's career is not only okay, but expected. Throw in the lies about "work-life balance" (mostly aimed at women) companies are so fond of touting and see if you don't start getting cynical, [...]

By: Modite - Gen Y women – out of the workplace woods?

Modite - Gen Y women – out of the workplace woods? — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:49:38 +0000

[...] when I read advice that tells me I have to get married and have babies before I’m thirty. I guess it’s smart advice, but it doesn't resonate with me. I don’t [...]

By: Weekly News: 2/4 - 2/8 : College And Career Blog

Weekly News: 2/4 - 2/8 : College And Career Blog — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:29:45 +0000

[...] Today, this dilemma is no longer as black and white as it once was. As discussed in the article, Quit Work for a While to Have Kids: Your Career Will be Just Fine, modern-day women have discovered that they can leave their jobs to raise their children and then [...]

By: Pamela Slim

Pamela Slim — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:11:52 +0000

I am a perfect example of what you are talking about Penelope, as I discovered that by:

a) moving from the business and creativity-rich Bay Area to a remote outpost of Mesa, Arizona
b) getting OFF the road and out of the daily lives of many clients and colleagues
c) stopping large consulting projects
d) having 2 kids
e) working about 1/3 of the time, less when the kiddos were born

that my press, profile, opportunities and success skyrocketed.

Writing a blog (escape from cubicle nation) was the crux of it all. No longer tethered to an in-person business model, I realized that my market was exponentially larger than I thought it was.

And for all those that worry that a couple of years off "the track" will put them hopelessly behind, I say you are in the wrong job. Having kids does not mean that you lose interest in topics you love. Even though I have a 2 1/2 year old and 4 month old, my brain is not ONLY filled with diapers and art activities. I still read voraciously (albeit late at night, or in little bits during the day)and have gotten much more clear on the work that I am meant to do.

Granted, not everyone likes to keep a business focus while raising small kids. If you completely, totally unplug from your work for a couple of years, it may take a bit to get back on the horse. But it is a great time to make a career change while you have time off, instead of seeing if you can step right back on the spinning Merry-go-round of your old job. Sounds boring to me, but I get bored doing the same thing for too long.

Great post!

* * * * * * This is such great advice, Pamela. Thanks. -Penelope

By: Doug K

Doug K — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:43:15 +0000

I am absolutely of Jennifers' mind.. I agree that it's important to look at the larger picture and not be wholly constrained by career worries: but the facts of life are that in any professional career, opting out for a couple of years puts you impossibly far behind; plus, while life is certainly about more than money, that opt-out is not even available to the vast majority.

My wife and I took a year off in our 30s before kids, which was fine because it was only a year. We lived in our car.. Our IRAs will always miss that year ;-)

After kids, my wife went part-time, which was rapidly followed by a layoff, because corporate America hates part-timers. There are very few part-time jobs in IT, so her career in IT is now over. Freelancing in IT puts you in competition with for example
http://www.odesk.com
where the average pay ($8 to $10 per hour) is only slightly more than minimum wage. Part-time at Nordstrom's is a better bet than that.