by Beks
I wasn’t surprised at all by the folks who told me not to accept the ‘golden handcuffs’ of a promotion and to leave for Texas anyway because it was a better long-term decision for my family. At the time, I disagreed. We were going to stay in California for a year… or two… or three because it’s wrong to commit to a new position and then abandon it.
Fortunately, I realized how slippery that slope started getting. In a few years, my oldest will be in middle school. His friendship dynamics will change and I imagine he’ll be more resistant to go. I imagine I’d want to wait until he’s done with high school. Then waiting until the younger three are out of high school. Oh wait, then there is college. And if they get married and live close, I’ll need to stay.
There will always be an excuse to stay… and it will always be ‘for a couple years at most’.
Texas is back on.
We are leaving for our summer trip and I’ve committed to not look aggressively for a job during that time (my husband would like us to take that time as true quality family time) but as soon as we return, I’ll jump back into the job search.
At the end of summer, I’ll be returning to work in person and will have a better idea of what that looks like. My employer has committed to a hybrid environment (home and in-person) but they haven’t finalized what that means yet. I’m hoping there will be an option to be remote most of the year and come back to California 8 weeks or less annually. The new position manages more teams so I doubt they would let me move out of state but I’m going to ask anyway, even if it’s just for a year as a test.
There is so much up in the air but that’s par for the course these days right?!?! Right now, I’m just going to focus on keeping the plates spinning until summer… and then through the summer.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
I’m still coming for ya Texas.
Beks is a full-time government employee who enjoys blogging late into the night after her four kids have gone to sleep. She’s been married to Chris, her college sweetheart, for 15 years. In 2017, after 3 long years working the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps, they paid off more than $70K and became debt free. When she’s not working or blogging, she’s exploring the great outdoors.
Are any of your children really wanting to go to college in California? I’ve read on the college confidential forums that it is next to impossible to get merit or scholarship money coming from out of state, if that is something that needs to weigh into your pro/con list. Texas also has great schools of course! Best of luck with the decision!
They’re all a little too young yet (under 10) but I’m not sure I’d send them here anyway. It’s so expensive!
Bravo! You know, if you died your current employer would have your position posted before you were buried. You don’t owe them anything but to do the best job you can while you’re still working there and hope they’re reasonable about commuting. If not, you have a plan and I’m certain it will work out great for you guys.
Are you sure you aren’t my sister?!?! Ha ha! She said the same thing! There’s a lot of wisdom in that!