Debating leaving the workforce to stay home for 5 years until my kids go to school. I’m torn because I put so much time and effort into my job and scared it would set me back pretty significantly. I’m a manager now and not sure if I could jump back in at the same level after a long break like that but it also breaks my heart that my kids will only be young for a short amount of time and I feel like I’m missing it. Anyone jump out for a period and if yes how hard was it to come back?

I didn't jump out completely - I reduced my hours and took a huge paycut, best decision for our family. They are grown and I'm back full time. I think working part time kept me fresh so I could ramp back up when I wanted to.

Good luck!

You cannot leave the workforce totally. So much changes every year. After 5 years you wouldn't even recognize it. Take a reduced schedule if you can. I did and have no regrets.

If you can do it. Kids are far more important. They are such treasures and are out on their own before you know it. I went on a reduced schedule when mine we young because we had to have good insurance (ppo) and benefits due to significant health issue in the family. But I wished I could have just taken a hiatus until they left for college. There is so much scope creep in public accounting and I missed more than I wanted to even doing a reduced schedule. Best wishes.

Family needs to start coming first again. We are built to raise a family and the push to have women be career focused is destroying the nuclear family, on purpose, so kids are left to be raised by the government. It's sad really. Look at what's happened to kids in the last ~20 years as a result. If you're able to focus on children, by all means, do it, you only get one chance with them.

Another vote for reduced schedule. It's a great option in public accounting. Just make sure you also reduce your number of clients/engagements, and then also be flexible when needed. (If you need to work extra to get something done for a couple weeks, I'd personally do that...but then take those hours back during a slower time.) In case it helps - I reduced to 60% when I had my first baby. Since 'full time' in public accounting is more than 40 hours/week, that basically got me to 24 hours/week 6 months of the year and 32 hours/week 6 months of the year. (I have two busy seasons, so the longer weeks were split between those two seasons.) At that time, I used the reduction to take 1-2 full days off each week so I could be home with my kid(s). I marked them on my calendar at the beginning of each month...and then I was still flexible if there was a really important call that I couldn't move, I'd still call in if I could, but I kept that very limited. But many of my clients didn't even know I was part-time. Eventually, I increased to 66%, which was minor, but I had picked up a couple new clients and decided I felt like I could increase my hours a little rather than giving up the clients. And then once my youngest started full-time kindergarten, I increased to 75%, which averages 34 hours/week (I tend to flex between 32-36 hours/week based on season). I'm planning to stay at this level for the foreseeable future. I work when my kids are in school. I pick them up almost every day. I coach teams and volunteer at the school. I don't worry when there are weeks with multiple doctor/dentist appointments. It's really great for flexibility. Now, if I was still trying to break all the glass ceilings, this probably wouldn't be the best scenario. But since my #1 priority is my family and any success at work is secondary. It doesn't bother me at all if I stay a senior manager forever. I feel like I'm fairly paid for what I do....and I like what I do...and I feel like I'm really lucky to have the flexibility and balance that I have.

I’ve done both. I took a reduced schedule and then left for 10 years and returned as a senior manager. Originally I came back in client service and then moved to an internal role. I stayed close with several partners during my time away and one of them reached out to convince me to come back. It’s possible but takes commitment to stay connected.

Another vote for Reduced schedule! Go down to 60-80%. Your pay will likely decrease correspondingly. On an 80%, I’ve seen people work 4 days and I’ve also seen 5 shorter days. Just remember to stick to it and don’t let people pressure you into 40 hour weeks.

There should be an option for you to come back part time. Try it for a bit before quitting entirely!

Highly unlikely that you’d come back at the same level. Five years is a long time to be out of the workforce.

Some of the firms have a program where u can work just Jan and Feb (and get paid really well) but keep cpe and all the other stuff up, others have a program that gives you this time off with a way back. Its worth looking at all the programs out there that will give you time with your kids but also let you back in the easiest.

I had my first baby as a new manager, and went on an FWO. You don’t have to quit the workforce necessarily, but set boundaries, and be at peace with taking longer to get to the next level.

Here is another perspective - my oldest just graduated high school and my middle is now a freshman. Now is the hard time. They need me as a parent now much more than they did as little kids. I am so glad I have the seniority and financial flexibility to lean in because I did not step out when they were little.