The Mommy Track: Yea or Nay?

The first time I heard the phrase ``mommy track,'' I was a child-free newlywed. I was chatting with a lawyer, with tween children, who spoke with resignation about her decision to take a low-profile government job that gave her regular, flexible hours. I was briefly puzzled by her tone, but the topic of conversation changed before I could inquire further.

Now that I have kids of my own, I want to go back in time and give her a hug. In our competitive society, it’s easy to feel sad about slowing down your career path while your children are young. But you could also take it as a rare opportunity to enjoy a saner pace of life, and watch your kids grow up. Certainly, there are steps you can take to avoid career stagnation.

I’d love to hear from readers about your own choices. Have you taken the mommy track? And do you consider that positive or negative?

Image Credit: George Doyle/Getty Images.

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