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HelenZ
So worth the wait :)

Member since 10/07 2862 total posts
Name: Helen
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what would you do? pregnancy/work question
so with the prospect of us possibly affording me staying home after the baby's born.....I'm feeling really torn in my job search right now. I'm usually so career driven and I don't know if I can in good conscience interview for a position that I would normally love to nail (pre-pregnancy), but now I dread the prospect of accepting a great job and possibly dissapointing them come August when I'd go on maternity leave and possibly not return to work. Prior to finding out I was pregnant I was applying to jobs all over NYC knowing that the pay would generally be better than Queens/LI. now I'm feeling like it might be better to take any old job, not search for my "dream job" b/c I know it would be that much harder to give it up if I can afford to stay home.
Yesterday I got a call back for an interview, it would be doing accounting, but more of an assistant role......it's on 34th, I'd still have to take the A train and my commute would be an hour- they're offering roughly 20K less than what I was most recently making.....but I would be a member of Local 3 (its a lighting company), which is very appealing to me (my DH is local 3 also, great annuities). I feel SOOOO torn! I have no intention of telling them I'm pregnant since its so early anyway. I'd feel better if I knew that they were ok with going part time later on or possibly working from home. I just hate the feeling of taking what could be a great job knowing I may in fact leave within 7 months then I also heard about an accounting position with the company that laid me off working on one of their other accounts, this would be more in the ballpark of 10-15K less than what I was making, and the commute would be even longer (its on 57th)......for some reason I wouldn't feel as bad telling them I wasn't coming back to work after maternity leave (I guess since they had no problem laying me off a month ago! lol
there's also my other "job offer" my sister wants me to watch my niece for maybe $100-$150 per week. She's 9 weeks old and my sis will be going back to work soon. oh boy so much to think about!!
sorry for all this venting I've been doing this week, I have a lot on my mind!! writing it all down helps sometimes. thanks for listening!!!
Message edited 1/7/2009 9:38:10 PM.
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Posted 1/7/09 9:20 PM |
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gabbie83
2 girls <3

Member since 6/08 3037 total posts
Name: gabbie
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
hi helen did you think about the commute (you said 1 hr on the A train) annoying (lol) imagine it during the June/July/Aug months when its going to be hot, humid and smelly while waiting for the train, I know that the summer months are going to be worse for us (and i dont commute - i work next door ) so i cant imagine having a big stomach in front of me, sweating, 6,7,8, or 9 months pregnant getting through the crowds, on and off the trains, people pushing through. (this is just me ofcourse) if you had a job right now then you probably wouldnt even think about it but if you have a choice to find something closer & more convenient rather then having a crazy commute, i'd probably try that. (JMO) either way good luck and i hope it works out for you
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Posted 1/7/09 9:32 PM |
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HelenZ
So worth the wait :)

Member since 10/07 2862 total posts
Name: Helen
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
Posted by gabbie83
hi helen did you think about the commute (you said 1 hr on the A train) annoying (lol) imagine it during the June/July/Aug months when its going to be hot, humid and smelly while waiting for the train, I know that the summer months are going to be worse for us (and i dont commute - i work next door ) so i cant imagine having a big stomach in front of me, sweating, 6,7,8, or 9 months pregnant getting through the crowds, on and off the trains, people pushing through. (this is just me ofcourse) if you had a job right now then you probably wouldnt even think about it but if you have a choice to find something closer & more convenient rather then having a crazy commute, i'd probably try that. (JMO) either way good luck and i hope it works out for you
thanks so much for your input! you are so right about the summer months, and the A train is the worst.....when I was working I was commuting on the A to Chambers and taking the PATH to Jersey City.....everyday I would watch people be rude to pregnant women, either pushing past them to get on the PATH or not giving them a seat on the A......soooo not something I'd want to deal with. it just kills me that I unknowingly applied to all these jobs in NYC that the "career woman" in me will be so tempted to consider if I get phone calls back now. it really stinks there's not that many jobs in Queens!
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Posted 1/7/09 9:37 PM |
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gabbie83
2 girls <3

Member since 6/08 3037 total posts
Name: gabbie
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
no problem, i know what you mean about the job situation in queens/li and i know it must s|uck big time now to be in this situation what does your DH say?
Yeah i know that the A is the worse that's why its something to def think about
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Posted 1/7/09 9:41 PM |
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ReiRei13
Life is Good!!
Member since 1/08 6460 total posts
Name:
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
I agree with gabbie about the farther commute!! You guys are gonna it rough to begin with during the end pregnancy being that its in the summer months!! i am always cold and lately I am hot all the time- thank god its January!! weather aside- I couldn't imagine having to travel far right now for work! I'm getting more and more uncomfortable with each passing day! Just something to think about!!
Honestly Helen, I wouldn't worry about having to quit a job later on! Youre being too nice! Worry about You & yours only!!!
Best of luck making your decision!
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Posted 1/7/09 9:43 PM |
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HelenZ
So worth the wait :)

Member since 10/07 2862 total posts
Name: Helen
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
Posted by gabbie83
no problem, i know what you mean about the job situation in queens/li and i know it must s|uck big time now to be in this situation what does your DH say?
Yeah i know that the A is the worse that's why its something to def think about
well at least now he's more on the same page w/ me on staying home after baby.....but he wants me to land the best paying job I can now so we can save up as much as possible, regardless of whether I'd still have to take the train. although he doesn't think I should even consider the accounting assistant position since its such a huge paycut from what I was making. I don't think he realizes its not so easy to make salary demands with the way the job market is!!
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Posted 1/7/09 9:51 PM |
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gabbie83
2 girls <3

Member since 6/08 3037 total posts
Name: gabbie
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
Posted by HelenZ
Posted by gabbie83
no problem, i know what you mean about the job situation in queens/li and i know it must s|uck big time now to be in this situation what does your DH say?
Yeah i know that the A is the worse that's why its something to def think about
well at least now he's more on the same page w/ me on staying home after baby.....but he wants me to land the best paying job I can now so we can save up as much as possible, regardless of whether I'd still have to take the train. although he doesn't think I should even consider the accounting assistant position since its such a huge paycut from what I was making. I don't think he realizes its not so easy to make salary demands with the way the job market is!!
i know, today you're lucky if you still have your job. with the way the market is i dont think we can be THAT picky
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Posted 1/7/09 9:53 PM |
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HelenZ
So worth the wait :)

Member since 10/07 2862 total posts
Name: Helen
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
Posted by mpetretti
I agree with gabbie about the farther commute!! You guys are gonna it rough to begin with during the end pregnancy being that its in the summer months!! i am always cold and lately I am hot all the time- thank god its January!! weather aside- I couldn't imagine having to travel far right now for work! I'm getting more and more uncomfortable with each passing day! Just something to think about!!
Honestly Helen, I wouldn't worry about having to quit a job later on! Youre being too nice! Worry about You & yours only!!!
Best of luck making your decision!
thanks Marie! yea I don't know where this big conscience issue is coming from that I'm having lol......I wish I was getting call backs on some of the jobs I applied for in Queens/LI at least I'd know whether I have more options to have a shorter commute. then again maybe I haven't heard back b/c these companies have SO many resumes to review- the company that called me yesterday said I was 1 of 400 applicants! I feel so anxious lately like I have to beat a countdown to get a job before I start showing!! I hate this pressure!
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Posted 1/7/09 9:56 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name: Baby Momma
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
All I can say is that once the kid comes...your idea of going back to work...ever...may change. I was one of those career woman that was insistant that I would return to work after 12 weeks because I worked hard for my degress and my job...yadda...yadda...yadda...now that my son is here...I could use my master's degree to wipe my arse and it wouldn't bother me one bit.
I wouldn't make any major career decisions before you give birth...
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Posted 1/7/09 9:56 PM |
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HelenZ
So worth the wait :)

Member since 10/07 2862 total posts
Name: Helen
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
Posted by MrsFlatbread
All I can say is that once the kid comes...your idea of going back to work...ever...may change. I was one of those career woman that was insistant that I would return to work after 12 weeks because I worked hard for my degress and my job...yadda...yadda...yadda...now that my son is here...I could use my master's degree to wipe my arse and it wouldn't bother me one bit.
I wouldn't make any major career decisions before you give birth...
thank you so much for putting that into perspective for me! I think I'll aim a little lower in my job search for now, so it will be more something to fill my days until baby to be is here and hopefully be in Queens or western Nassau.
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Posted 1/7/09 10:05 PM |
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Celt
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Member since 4/08 7758 total posts
Name: colette
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
Hi HZ I'd probably feel torn just like you... see the Local 3 gig has a lot going for it, but if you leave after 7 months, that could be a 'burned bridge' that might be useful in the future, KWIM?
I think you could do 2 things... Either Watch your sister's LO in a few weeks (low pay *BUT* a) its cash (assumption there) b) consider it 'on the job training' for your little one and c) imagine the RELIEF it would be for your sister to have Aunt Helen watching her baby
OR
Would you consider temping for the rest of your pregnancy? A good agency could get you work and you can set your own schedule to a degree, maybe give yourself a week off as needed and schedule your doc visits/ sonos/ yaddayadda then?
Don't know what's best just tossing around a few ideas!!!
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Posted 1/7/09 10:40 PM |
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HelenZ
So worth the wait :)

Member since 10/07 2862 total posts
Name: Helen
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Re: what would you do? pregnancy/work question
Posted by colette
Hi HZ I'd probably feel torn just like you... see the Local 3 gig has a lot going for it, but if you leave after 7 months, that could be a 'burned bridge' that might be useful in the future, KWIM?
I think you could do 2 things... Either Watch your sister's LO in a few weeks (low pay *BUT* a) its cash (assumption there) b) consider it 'on the job training' for your little one and c) imagine the RELIEF it would be for your sister to have Aunt Helen watching her baby
OR
Would you consider temping for the rest of your pregnancy? A good agency could get you work and you can set your own schedule to a degree, maybe give yourself a week off as needed and schedule your doc visits/ sonos/ yaddayadda then?
Don't know what's best just tossing around a few ideas!!!
exactly what I was thinking as far as a burned bridge.....maybe I'll just go for the interview, impress the sh*t out of them, and then if they offer me the job I'll tell them I just found out I was pregnant and decided I don't want to commute to NYC.....at least then I'm being honest and possibly opening a network for use later on when I'm ready to rejoin the rat race
my sister really really wants me to watch my niece Sarah (same one who was in the hospital w/ RSV a month ago).....right now she's supposed to be watched by a family friend who is already watching a 9 mth old baby....she was going to be paying her $200 per week, I told her I'd take half if I did it (b/c I feel horrible even charging my sister at all!), but she said $150. and yes it would be cash so that can tide us over coupled w/ unemployment pay. the hands on training is definitely needed, but I'm afraid it will scare the ever loving sh*t out of me! but hey at least I'll be handing her back after my 8 hours every day!! and with my sister being a teacher, then hopefully my summer will be free anyway.
I've been to a temp agency and I was told my requested hourly pay will be hard to find (trust me its not even THAT high!). I might consider it if they approach me with something that pays well.
thank you Colette!!! and everyone who responded! this is helping me build a pros & cons list!
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Posted 1/7/09 10:53 PM |
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