Comments on: Quit work for a while to have kids. Your career will be just fine http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:33:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: The rare woman tech start-up founder » 16th letter » Blog Archive http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-146665 The rare woman tech start-up founder » 16th letter » Blog Archive Thu, 01 May 2008 03:51:40 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-146665 [...] 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 [...] […] 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 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-139151 Truths about work hurt and heal « Goals are Stupid Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:55:21 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-139151 [...] 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, [...] […] 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? http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-139015 Modite - Gen Y women – out of the workplace woods? Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:49:38 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-139015 [...] 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 [...] […] 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 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-135410 Weekly News: 2/4 - 2/8 : College And Career Blog Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:29:45 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-135410 [...] 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 [...] […] 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 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-135133 Pamela Slim Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:11:52 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-135133 <p>I am a perfect example of what you are talking about Penelope, as I discovered that by:</p> <p>a) moving from the business and creativity-rich Bay Area to a remote outpost of Mesa, Arizona<br /> b) getting OFF the road and out of the daily lives of many clients and colleagues<br /> c) stopping large consulting projects<br /> d) having 2 kids<br /> e) working about 1/3 of the time, less when the kiddos were born </p> <p>that my press, profile, opportunities and success skyrocketed.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>Great post!</p> * * * * * * <I>This is such great advice, Pamela. Thanks. -Penelope</i> 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 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134890 Doug K Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:43:15 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134890 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. 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.

]]> By: Jill http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134858 Jill Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:31:00 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134858 I was in the start of my HR career when I decided not to return to work after the birth of my first daughter. At that time, my husband was making enough money so it wasn’t a financially burden. However, as the years went on our financially situation changed and I had to go back to the workforce. I found it difficult to reenter the field of HR because so many things changed in the area of recruitment, that my skills were considered out of date. However, while I was at home I did manage to be active in community groups, dabbled in real estate and also did I few home based businesses. By doing this, I was able to keep up my other skills. When returning to the workforce, it really made me decided what I wanted to do, not just take the first job that was available to me. I believe if I didn’t take time off to raise my kids, I would still be in a career that I didn’t really care for. I think it was the best thing for me, I know have a job that I actually like and was able to be home with my kids when they were little. I think it is important to keep your skills up, by taking classes or being active in the community. I made a lot of scarifies, but my I know I did the right thing. I was in the start of my HR career when I decided not to return to work after the birth of my first daughter. At that time, my husband was making enough money so it wasn’t a financially burden. However, as the years went on our financially situation changed and I had to go back to the workforce. I found it difficult to reenter the field of HR because so many things changed in the area of recruitment, that my skills were considered out of date. However, while I was at home I did manage to be active in community groups, dabbled in real estate and also did I few home based businesses. By doing this, I was able to keep up my other skills. When returning to the workforce, it really made me decided what I wanted to do, not just take the first job that was available to me. I believe if I didn’t take time off to raise my kids, I would still be in a career that I didn’t really care for. I think it was the best thing for me, I know have a job that I actually like and was able to be home with my kids when they were little. I think it is important to keep your skills up, by taking classes or being active in the community. I made a lot of scarifies, but my I know I did the right thing.

]]> By: Hiring Technical People » Employment Gaps http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134818 Hiring Technical People » Employment Gaps Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:59:02 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134818 [...] I just read Penelope Trunk’s Quit work for a while to have kids. Your career will be just fine. [...] […] I just read Penelope Trunk's Quit work for a while to have kids. Your career will be just fine. […]

]]> By: Jennifer http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134816 Jennifer Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:02:02 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134816 Some of what you say is right but as a person who helps people with disabilities get jobs it is not that easy. If a person takes a break from the career field to do whatever they have to start over. I deal with this on a daily basis. A few years are not too bad but if you think being out for over five years and then walking back into a similar career with the same benefits, money, prestige etc is there then it is wrong. I think that it is great if a family decides to have one parent stay home. They just need to be aware that someone will have to start over. With the lousy employment market in the midwest there are too many other people who have been in the workforce that will get the job rather then a stay at home parent. I made the choice to keep working because I love my job (most days) and didn't want to stay at home. It gets hectic and a few times I feel guilty but I have built a family at my work and we support each other both in and out of work. I would hate to give that up. Some of what you say is right but as a person who helps people with disabilities get jobs it is not that easy. If a person takes a break from the career field to do whatever they have to start over. I deal with this on a daily basis. A few years are not too bad but if you think being out for over five years and then walking back into a similar career with the same benefits, money, prestige etc is there then it is wrong. I think that it is great if a family decides to have one parent stay home. They just need to be aware that someone will have to start over. With the lousy employment market in the midwest there are too many other people who have been in the workforce that will get the job rather then a stay at home parent. I made the choice to keep working because I love my job (most days) and didn't want to stay at home. It gets hectic and a few times I feel guilty but I have built a family at my work and we support each other both in and out of work. I would hate to give that up.

]]> By: Peggy http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134815 Peggy Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:35:17 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/01/28/quit-work-for-a-while-to-have-kids-your-career-will-be-just-fine/#comment-134815 Penelope - This is probably one of my favorite posts you have written. I agree with (and I am living testimony) to everything you say. The only thing I would add is to 1) have a plan (just something basic - you don't need every detail workied out) and 2) be honest about your skills when you do go back into the workforce. Rock on - Career Encourager Penelope -

This is probably one of my favorite posts you have written. I agree with (and I am living testimony) to everything you say. The only thing I would add is to 1) have a plan (just something basic - you don't need every detail workied out) and 2) be honest about your skills when you do go back into the workforce.

Rock on -
Career Encourager

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