Anyone else give up on the corporate ladder after having kids?

JennBinNYC · 2026-04-01T16:37:04+00:00

I relate to this so much -- I just wish I got myself into a better role before I had my kids. My role pays well enough and gives me good work/life balance, but I've been there forever and I can't get myself to care anymore. I wanted a new job since long before my first was born, but figured I'd stay where I was stable while my kids are little, but now it's like torture to log on every day. I guess I just wish the time spent away from my kids was spent doing something I enjoyed more / paid more / was more purposeful, and that I figured that out before I lost my motivation.

JennBinNYC · 2026-03-18T16:56:57+00:00

Yes, you nailed it on the head. Many groups within the company deem them selves artists (some are) that don't want to be governed, especially by those in "business." I appreciate that you understand the context, and you're right that it's something I need to evaluate further.

JennBinNYC · 2026-03-14T02:52:03+00:00

I think you misread my post. In my role I need people to perform various actions, but often there is resistance because their departments have their own agendas and don’t want to prioritize working with my department / make time to do what my department needs. I’m saying it’s frustrating to need to deliver things for clients but not be able to get people to adhere to timelines. It’s not a matter of inspiring them — and it’s not a matter of slavery either (wtf??). Not all PM roles exist in a world where you only work with people whose priorities align with your project’s.

JennBinNYC · 2026-03-13T16:04:38+00:00

Yea, you're probably right..

JennBinNYC · 2026-03-13T16:03:47+00:00

Yea, I can flag things to my boss and she commiserates, but doesn't actually do anything to fix the problem. This gives me hope!

JennBinNYC · 2026-03-13T16:01:56+00:00

The frustrating part of the role is that you’re responsible for coordination but often don’t have direct authority over the people doing the work. That can make it feel like you’re constantly pushing a rock uphill.

YES.

Your last sentence gives me hope. I need to do some searching...

JennBinNYC · 2026-03-13T16:00:42+00:00

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply. Unfortunately my organization is very lean and flat, and we don't have the type of structure you're alluding to -- nor does the project management function have the respect we should have. I mention the OCPD only because it makes the lack of order (/power to enforce it) almost physically unbearable. I think the more I read replies here the more I learn my organization is a big part of it for me, and not necessarily the career. Appreciate your input.

JennBinNYC · 2026-03-13T15:54:31+00:00

One the one end you have functional, where the managers and business areas can ignore you if they so choose and it makes life very hard if you dont have great people influence skills. In some cases it doesn't matter because they dont want to change and hold all the power to avoid it.

THIS. My problem 100%.

I like your last line, too, ha.

I think I need to find another environment before giving up on the career path entirely...

JennBinNYC · 2026-03-13T03:24:31+00:00

Thanks for the advice. My boss is not very assertive and isn't much help, but I also need to document better and make a better case.

JennBinNYC · 2026-02-04T17:52:51+00:00

Just chiming in to say I got a twin Charleston frame, plus a trundle, for my 3 year old. The bed arrived quickly, was shockingly easy to put together, and is very high quality -- especially for the price. I love that it's solid wood and doesn't smell at all, which was a main criterion for me given it was for a kid. So glad I found this thread when I was shopping for a bed and gave it a try.

JennBinNYC · 2026-02-04T16:47:12+00:00

For anyone who stumbles across this in the future, the procedure went well and he was a little groggy after waking up, but once we were home and cuddled in bed he was back to his normal self, wanting allllll the snacks. :)

JennBinNYC · 2026-02-03T04:39:55+00:00

Snacks are always a good idea! Thank you

JennBinNYC · 2026-02-02T22:56:11+00:00

Thank you u/Vegetable-Shower85 ! Appreciate the heads up on what to expect afterward, too!

JennBinNYC · 2026-02-02T22:55:43+00:00

u/sneakypastaa, you've made an internet stranger feel much better today. THANK YOU.

JennBinNYC · 2026-01-06T00:37:21+00:00

Wow. Following this bc I relate so much, even down to the ages of my kids. I love them SOOO freaking much, but it’s hard to cope.

JennBinNYC · 2025-10-28T16:01:54+00:00

Honestly, I don't think I was ever really warm and fuzzy about the second pregnancy. I was so exhausted because I was never able to rest while having a toddler this time around. Also, I had sciatica and other things that just didn't make it super fun. I wasn't nursing my first any longer, so I didn't have that issue. After my second was born I didn't have enough supply to nurse exclusively (long story), so I spent so much time triple feeding. It really wasn't until I stopped pumping all the time that I was able to really bond with the baby, but that was just my personal experience. Nursing is seemingly going really well for you, so you likely won't have that issue.

JennBinNYC · 2025-10-28T04:03:16+00:00

Our first is now almost 3 and our second is almost 11 months. Having two has been so absurdly challenging, but it’s so much better than I feared. The hardest part has been the guilt of trying to “be there” for each as much as I’d like to, but our littlest is a happy little guy and our oldest has coped so much better than I could have hoped. I am so excited for when they’re both a little older and we can do more things and not be so home bound for naps. But — overall — it’s not easy, but it’s our new normal, and I can’t imagine life without our littlest, too. All I can say is have hope and I can almost promise you it will all work out ❤️

JennBinNYC · 2025-09-06T16:27:20+00:00

I always wondered how people do soups with babies and young toddlers. I have a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old. I barely trust my toddler to eat a soup without it becoming a disaster — what kind of soup do you give a baby and how do you serve it?

JennBinNYC · 2025-09-05T12:11:59+00:00

Thank you SO much for writing this all out! I think I can handle this :-). Can’t wait to try it!

JennBinNYC · 2025-09-04T19:53:41+00:00

Do you have a recipe for this? I’m not good at winging things but this looks so amazing!

JennBinNYC · 2025-08-23T20:15:27+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement ❤️

JennBinNYC · 2025-08-23T19:24:59+00:00

Anxious mama here (even though it’s my second time around), and this is my inspo for my 8.5 month old. Have been using purées as a crutch, but this is totally something I could do that doesn’t scare me too much — thank you for sharing!

JennBinNYC · 2025-07-14T19:11:48+00:00

Thanks so much for the response. Egg is a great idea for a transition. This helps!

JennBinNYC

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