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Career and Kids

Working moms willing to take pay cut to spend time with kids

by elizabeth on May 12th, 2008

Career Builder.com had a Mother’s Day survey that revealed that 43% of working moms are willing to take a pay cut if it allows them to spend more time with their children.

If had read that about 7 years ago, I would have thought, “That’s nice, but it doesn’t apply to me, we can’t do that.”

But, it was decided for me immediately upon my return to work from maternity leave.

My job was eliminated, and I had to find one within the organization (lots of reasons) pretty quickly.

The job that was the most appealing to me paid a LOT less than I was making, but I kind of held my breath and jumped in, thinking I could always look again if we didn’t drown financially before then, because taking a drastic pay cut after having your third kid isn’t something I’d recommend.

However, the change turned out to have more benefits than I could have ever imagined.

I didn’t cry all the time, my job was flexible enough that I could pick up someone from school if I needed to, and, I got home at the same time every day..

But, another huge benefit wouldn’t be realized until years later when my mother became ill. When I had to miss so much work, I couldn’t have asked for better support, and, I knew right away this was the job I was supposed to have.

There are some things money can’t buy.

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8 opinions for Working moms willing to take pay cut to spend time with kids

  • midlife mommy
    May 13, 2008 at 3:30 am

    I probably make 50-60% of what I would have made if I had stayed on the typical track for my profession. And I would have worked 12 hours a day, lots of weekends, and had to travel. Now, I get to leave at 4:30, have no weekend work, and I have the flexibility to take the time to go to the events that are important to my child. It’s a fair trade off, I think.

  • Jamie
    May 13, 2008 at 7:18 am

    I cut back at work and took a paycut after I had my second daughter three years ago and it’s definitely been worth it to maintain some sort of life balance. I’m able to pick up my oldest from kindergarten every day and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

    I was definitely the career ladder climber pre-kids and now it’s just much more important to me to have flexibility.

  • JayMonster
    May 13, 2008 at 8:38 am

    I also adjusted my career track, and while it didn’t actually involve a pay CUT, it prevented me from taking positions or trying for promotions that I could have otherwise gotten, because I was unwilling to travel for weeks on end or take away from my family time as would have been required for these positions.

    Of course, I always find it odd (and a bit excluding) that these subjects always focus solely on women. I mean I understand why, but are men that are willing to make these sacrifices as well really that few and far between?

  • Jaich
    May 13, 2008 at 11:14 am

    I gave up raises in exchange for working fewer hours. I thought I was giving up A raise but it seems I’ve not had one in 4 years now. Still - I have TREMENDOUS flexibility and with three pre-schoolers it is completely worth it. Worth it to work (for the insurance coverage) and worth it to make less money (for the time with the kids).

  • Tracee Sioux
    May 14, 2008 at 8:03 am

    Thanks for this. I love to hear how working women are making it happen.

  • Career & Kids - How We CAN
    May 15, 2008 at 5:00 am

    […] of her latest posts is about how most mothers working fulltime would take a pay cut to spend more time with their […]

  • Ashley S.
    May 15, 2008 at 7:15 am

    There are so many jobs out there that could be SO much more flexible without productivity suffering. I realize certain jobs require a 9-5 or what have you, but so many could be much more flexible if we could open up our minds a little bit.

  • E
    May 20, 2008 at 10:45 am

    Where is the article that talks about the amount of time that working FATHERS spend with their children? Why is this not seen as a problem equal to that of the time demands placed on working mothers? I found the careerbuilder.com article to be yet another attempt to make career mothers feel guilt in a way that is never imposed on career fathers.

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