Career in Early 40's

I think as a working mom in your early 40's, it is an interesting time. You've worked for 20 years and you have 20 years to go. Your children are likely around the ages of 8-10 years old. They're busy doing after school activities that you want to be around for. They are at an impressionable age and actually want to hang out with you. 

So what do you do? Keep working? Scale back but keep working? Or stop all together?

I was recently out with my group of friends that I've stayed in touch with from Molly Anne's 3's daycare class. I love this group because we are all in different elementary school bubbles in Charlotte but we all know each other well. Also we all work or have worked for a long time. Anyway, at our recent Christmas get together, we chatted about this exact topic. One gal just "retired". Two gals are scaling back. One is unhappy and looking for a new job. Some of us are keep on keeping on. It is interesting right? 

I think a lot depends on how much flexibility you have in your job. I'm fortunate to have a lot of this as I'm sure you can tell. I also require being very busy and as long as I can manage that concept, I'm good. And let me tell you, I've gone through phases as recently as in the last year that I'm like, "I cannot do this any more! It's not worth it." 

Right now, it's worth it. I really like what I do. I like who I work with. I think financially it makes sense for me to work. It's healthy for me to be very busy. We have Julie who saves me on the regular and helps with our children. I have flexibility. I like having another mission other than my usual neighborhood/school bubble. I get to be with my kids when I need/want to be. It's kind of the best of both worlds right now. 

I'm haven't mention the late nights I work to be able to go on the school field trip the next day. Or the years and years of travel I've done. Or the other grind behind the scenes. Because there is all of that too! It's a constant balance and sometimes I sacrifice one or the other.

In general, I'm happy with where I am and what I'm doing. But it could change in a few years. Or it might now. We'll see. Day by day and year by year.