If you are young again would you give up your career for more time with family?

12 comments

1. I personality think you’re young and it sounds like an important opportunity so your grandma might be disappointed if you don’t take it. It’s challenging but if it’s genuinely a good opportunity I think your life takes priority over aging relatives who have somewhat already lived their lives

2. I’ll be honest.

   You need to square yourself away while also making time to call and speak with your grandmother.

   You being in person and also struggling financially/career wise is also doing your grandmother wrong. Don’t let her be the reason you struggle later/feel held back.

3. I learned after my grandfather passed away that this is time you don’t have jobs come and go but that time spent with grandparents is essential and as we age that time will be less and less

4. Life is hard enough for young people, without making it harder on yourself.

   Your grandma would probably be furious with you if you put your life on hold to take care of her (as sweet as it is).

5. I don’t think I had that choice. We had two disabled children, and my overwhelming motivation was to make enough money to leave them with a safe source of income after their mother and I are gone. I accomplished that mission, but it took a tremendous amount of work.

   All that said, I can’t think of a single important event in any of my children’s lives that I missed. I didn’t make it to every soccer match or track meet, but I was there for most of them. More importantly, I spent all my free time away from work with my children. So what I really missed out on was golf matches with my friends and weekend trips to football games.

   It sounds like your grandma made a choice to move a long way from you, but perhaps I’m misunderstanding where you started out from. Regardless, prioritize your free time to be with her and realize that you can’t live your own life and spend all your time with her either. Go back to see her on your vacations, and cherish that time together. Also talk with her remotely using all the amazing technologies we have available today. Your grandma will be proud of your successful career and will brag to her friends about you!

6. Im 33 with a 2 hear old. I work 3 days a week and so does my partner. We dont regret it at all. Im lucky enough to make enough to support us but I could be working more and choose not to. I would make this same decision every time.

7. Being a bit blunt here, but she made the decision to move to HK to be with her friends. I don’t think you have any obligation to follow her. Whether you want to or not is a different matter.

   Personally I wouldn’t. I would speak to her regularly and visit when I could. But I would not sacrifice my 20s in this way for an elderly relative (nor do I think any of my relatives would wish me to do so).

8. I would not.

   I wish I had spent more time with my grandparents, but would not sacrifice my own future for that.

   If you have the opportunity to visit often, do it. But you need to live your own life too.

9. I would say don’t go. She’s made her choice and it wasn’t you.

10. M35.

    No job can replace your family. Being around, present and supportive is worth far more.

11. Some people really aren’t thinking of the future when answering questions here. Young people are living in the worst economic times than any period arguably when even entry level is hard to get.

    My sister got PTSD from working in HK because she has to commute more than 2 hours one way a day because it was all she can afford and working late everyday.

    You do not sacrifice your future, not just financially, but current friendships and potential romance. Once your grandma pass away you are left with nothing. Its her choice so just cherish the brief time you go back.

12. I work third shift so I can spend my days with my Son.