I love this thread. It has been such a lifeline to read and participate. This is my first post!
I’m fortunate to have a remote, project-based role at a non-profit. I worked from home full-time with my now two-year-old for the first six months, then added a sitter for 4 hours a week, and now have about 15 hours of childcare while I work. I just had my second baby a month ago and am currently on maternity leave.
About a year ago, my job went through a major restructuring, and it has been a mess ever since. Those who stayed absorbed the workload of those who left, with no clear plan to redistribute it. While the job is still flexible, it is becoming overwhelming. Last week, two coworkers called me while I am on leave to say they are really struggling. One had to take time off after a mental breakdown, and the other plans to leave as soon as I return.
My job includes a pension, and I need to stay through the end of the year to receive the full benefits. After that, my husband has been urging me to quit. We could manage financially without my income, though we would have to cut back on extras. The hard part is that I genuinely enjoy working. It keeps me grounded, I am good at it, and I feel like I am making a difference.
At the same time, I was already feeling burned out before adding a second child. My husband travels at least one week a month, and I am not sure my job is worth the cost of full-time childcare. I also feel a lot of mom guilt about increasing care for my two-year-old, and I would love to keep my newborn home for the first year like I did the first time. I also worry that if I step away now, it might be hard to re-enter the workforce later, even though I know how lucky I am to have a remote job. For context: I do live in the South/bible belt. A lot of my friends and neighbors are SAHMs. I would love some advice and perspective from other work-from-home moms!