Parent Time

It’s a question that most every new parent struggles with. So how do you decide what’s right for you and your family? Weigh the options with our quiz – it’s a light-hearted look at the issues to consider as you make your decision about whether to stay home or return to the boardroom.

1. I feel my job
Gives me huge personal satisfaction
Pays the bills, but it’s just a step on the career ladder
Is something I have no passion for and could easily walk away from

2. In my line of work
Dropping out for a while will really set back my career
I have the flexibility to work part-time or job share in order to work less hours
I could easily return to my line of work after a long absence

3. Thinking about going back to work
Is something I’m totally fine with – I like being home, but I really miss my job
Is something I feel OK about, but I’m concerned about the pressures of work and home
Makes me sad – I love being home and hate the idea of returning to my job

4. My partner’s job
Is pretty flexible – we could easily share the responsibilities
Sometimes involves long hours, so I’d have to take on most of the responsibilities
Really busy and demanding – I would continue to be the primary caregiver even after I returned to work

5. My career
Is busy and demanding, but I could make it work
Offers the opportunity for flexible hours or working from home
Involves long hours and isn’t very flexible for working parents

6. In general, I find the notion of working and raising a family
Totally possible – my family and my job both mean a lot to me and I know I can make it work
Doable, but difficult – I’d like to find a good happy medium
Impossible to imagine – it’s just so stressful to give so much to a job and still keep things going at home

7. In terms of medical and dental benefits
Only my employer offers benefits
Both my partner and I have benefits
Only my partner has benefits

8. Without my income
I can’t imagine how we’d survive – we really count on my paycheque
It would be a bit of a struggle, but I can’t imagine going back to the grind of a full-time job
We’d just spend less and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle

9. In terms of childcare
It makes fiscal sense to go back to work, all things considered
My mother/mother-in-law/other relative can help out with flexible hours
We’d need to hire a nanny or look into daycare, which will eat into the majority of my earnings

10. To sum up, going to work
Is very fulfilling and/or is tremendously important to our family’s bottom line
Is something that I enjoy, and the extra income doesn’t hurt!
Probably isn’t worth the stress and expenses that goes along with it

Originally published in Todaysparent.com, September 2009