Career? or family? Which should I choose first?
By fatimaobien
@fatimaobien (156)
Philippines
April 21, 2013 8:01am CST
My friend is in a dilemna. She is being offered a job which would pay her a monthly salary 5x equivalent to her present salary. It is quite an interesting job and in line with her profession. This is what she defined as "being successful as a career woman". This would help her buy the house she has been eyeing for sometimes. Will be able to travel and go shopping. Will be able to drive her dream car and in a way be envied by her college classmates. But there is a catch in here. She can not get pregnant within the next 5 years. She just got married last year and she is turning 35 next year.Career? Family? I think we need to help her think. What can you say?
2 people like this
8 responses
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
21 Apr 13
I think it is important to pose this question: What was your friend's position on having children before she received the job offer?
By the age of 35, most women have a very good sense of whether or not they want children, how many children they might like to have, etc. They are also often aware of health issues (besides age) that might affect their ability to conceive. You have described her as a career woman... and there is nothing wrong with that. Not everyone is destined to have children or to have more than one child, for example. I have a daughter who is just about to graduate university and she has every intention of attending grad school and going to wherever in the world she has to go to successfully pursue a career in forensic anthropology. She has told me clearly, from a rather young age, that she does not intend to have children. I respect her decision because it's one that we all have to make for ourselves.
@fatimaobien (156)
• Philippines
22 Apr 13
After getting married, she is open in having a child but not that ardent to have one. Unfortuantely, after a few months, this job promotion came. She is torned at the middle. Both are important for her but she has to choose which one should be first.
Thanks a lot for sharing your idea. I will surely tell her this idea.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
22 Apr 13
It's definitely a tough decision to make. I mean, taking the great job could give her potential child or children an even better life... but it can also be very difficult to go on maternity leave, for example, when you've just begun a new position. As much as we don't like to admit it, it's frowned upon in the business world, even today.
I wanted to mention that she should probably discuss her situation with her doctor, too. She could receive some good advice in regards to becoming pregnant near or beyond the age of 40. It has become more and more common for women to be having babies later in life now... and of course, there are alternate routes to parenthood, such as adoption, if the couple is open to that. Again, a lot of difficult choices.
@fatimaobien (156)
• Philippines
24 Apr 13
Thanks a lot for helping. I told her what you shared. She is grateful because she's having a lot of opinions and alternatives.
1 person likes this
@youless (112481)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Apr 13
Oh, this is a very difficult situation. Actually 34 years old is not very young to have a baby. After 5 years, your friend will be nearly 40 years old and at that time having a baby will be even harder. Perhaps the healthy situation is a big issue at that time. I am a traditional woman. I still think it is ideal to have a child at home. Even if you are so rich, but if you don't have any children, the happiness is still quite different. If I were your friend, perhaps I would choose to have a baby at present. And then after a year, I will try to see whether I can still have this job. After all, it is just one year.
@fatimaobien (156)
• Philippines
26 Apr 13
I guess you have a point. Who knows maybe after a year she can still prove herself worthy of any promotion. And if no amount of money can really replace the joy of having a baby. thanks alot. I will tell her this.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
21 Apr 13
That's a toughie. What would G*d say if she asked G*d?
@fatimaobien (156)
• Philippines
21 Apr 13
Wow, I really like your response because I am a woman of faith. For me, God's will is my priority. If I seek Him first, the rest will follow.
@Zer0Stats (1147)
• India
21 Apr 13
I think she should go for her career because it's what she's been working for years.
@fatimaobien (156)
• Philippines
22 Apr 13
Actually this is what her boss told her. She has been working so hard for that and it would be a waste if she will just ignore it. Thank you for a very honest answer.
@craziestqueenever (1819)
• Philippines
21 Apr 13
Her situation is so tough. We do have a different priorities in life. If that was me, I should chose a career. Anyway, your friend and her husband should talk about it. If having a child is their priority, she will give up her career. This situation should be discussed by the two of them.
@swamiaks (22)
• India
21 Apr 13
Dear friend,
In such situation it is better to talk to your family members clearly on this topic because both sides are of great importance.She is going to lose both opportunity after some years. I think she must think of her family if other members of her family takes care of her because money is not everything.On the other hand if her family does not support her economically, she can choose her career to live her life in her own way.
@fatimaobien (156)
• Philippines
22 Apr 13
She came from a family who believe that after 18 years of age one has to be independent as much as possible. So I guess the family have to be put aside for this situation. Thanks for sharing you thoughts. I guess you came from a close knit family. Lucky for you.
@roshigo58 (4859)
• Pune, India
21 Apr 13
Hi,
It is very nice job opportunity for your friend. All her dreams can be fulfilled by this job. But now she is 35. Pregnancy is very difficult after the age of 40. So she have to take the decision of pregnancy after two years. Family is also important as money. So she have to find golden mean between family and job.
@fatimaobien (156)
• Philippines
21 Apr 13
Thanks a lot roshigo58. She is quite a "career woman" and this really made her think a lot on what to give up.
@fatimaobien (156)
• Philippines
21 Apr 13
I told her that. On the other hand, it is because she is already turning 35 that this is her last oppurtunity for career movement. Poor her. Too confuse.