The Crossroads: A Pivotal Career Shift
Rachel had always envisioned herself as a working professional. She built a career, contributed to her household financially, and took pride in the structure that came with having a full-time job. But when she became a mother, something shifted.
The balance between work and family became increasingly difficult, and she started feeling stretched too thin—never fully present at work, never fully present at home.
"I left my full-time job to take care of my children. I now work part-time on our church staff in an administration/finance role."
It wasn’t an easy decision. She knew it would come with financial tradeoffs, an identity shift, and a complete restructuring of how she spent her time. But she also knew that right now, her children needed more of her—and she needed a different kind of fulfillment.
Her parents stepped in to help watch the kids while she worked during the day, and she squeezed in additional hours during nap time or late at night.
"It’s not perfect, and it’s not always easy, but it’s working for our family right now."
The Challenges: Identity, Balance & Time Management
Even though Rachel had anticipated the changes that would come with leaving full-time work, she wasn’t fully prepared for how deeply it would impact her sense of self, time, and energy.
- Identity Shift
"It was hard to go from having a strong professional identity to being more of a full-time caregiver with less paid work."
Like many parents who step away from traditional careers, she wrestled with self-worth and societal expectations. It wasn’t that she didn’t value raising her children—she did, deeply. But she also missed parts of her old self. The structure, the recognition, the sense of accomplishment that came from professional success—all of it now looked different.
- The Challenge of Managing Time Differently
"Balancing work and home became even harder than I expected. There was no real separation between the two anymore."
In full-time work, her job had set hours. Now, her day was constantly shifting, dictated by naps, childcare help, and whatever spare moments she could carve out to focus on work.
- Less Time for Herself
Without a defined "off-the-clock" moment, personal time quickly became non-existent.
"I used to have a commute, a lunch break, small moments in the day that were just mine. Now, my time is wrapped around work, home, and kids, with very little space left for myself."
What Worked: Support & Perspective
- Having an Encouraging Partner
"My husband is an amazing cheerleader!"
Knowing she wasn’t making this shift alone made all the difference. Her husband’s encouragement helped validate her decision, reminding her that even when it felt overwhelming, she wasn’t in this alone.
- Accepting That Transitions Are Always Hard
"I think the transition is going to be hard no matter what."
There was no perfect way to do it, no secret formula to make the shift seamless. But acknowledging that difficulty helped her move through it with more patience and grace.
Advice for Other Parents Considering a Similar Path
- Make Sure You Have Support Before You Make the Leap
"This is not a decision to make alone—lean on your partner, family, friends, and faith."
Rachel had her husband’s encouragement, her parents’ help with childcare, and her church community. Without those, the transition would have been significantly harder.
- Pray, Reflect, and Be Brave
"Take time to reflect on your family’s needs and what’s truly right for you. And if this is the right step, be brave enough to take it."
For Rachel, faith played a key role in her decision-making. She didn’t step away impulsively—she thought through it, prayed about it, and made sure it aligned with her family’s values.
- Understand That Balance Will Look Different
Stepping away from full-time work doesn’t necessarily mean more free time—in some ways, life can feel even more chaotic. But if it’s a choice made with intention, it can also bring more alignment, joy, and fulfillment.
Rachel’s Both& Moment
Rachel’s story is a reminder that career shifts don’t have to be either-or decisions.
She chose both being present for her kids and staying engaged in meaningful work.
She had to navigate both an identity shift and a new professional rhythm.
She learned that balance is both challenging and possible with the right support.
Her story is proof that success doesn’t have to look like a full-time job in a traditional corporate setting—sometimes, it looks like creating a life that truly reflects your values and priorities.
Why This Story Matters for Both&
- Expands the Narrative of Career Shifts for Parents – Shows that part-time work can be a fulfilling middle ground.
- Highlights the Emotional & Identity Shifts That Come with Stepping Back – Many parents struggle with self-worth when they leave full-time jobs.
- Encourages Thoughtful Decision-Making – Advises parents to reflect, seek support, and take their time.
- Normalizes Nontraditional Career Paths – Proves that professional fulfillment doesn’t have to mean full-time work.
