Who would not want to make more money? Many people constantly search for better opportunities in their careers, even changing careers for financial gain. I cannot blame anyone as I have done it myself. The time comes, though, when we have to consider factors other than salary in deciding on a job. While I have not completely stopped looking for more opportunities, my son's happiness with his school and our time off together is a major influence in my decision to stay where I am for a while longer.
Great school for him
He and I both attend the same wonderful private Christian school. He just completed sixth grade, and I teach mainly eighth and ninth grades. We are both perfectly happy, and this is a great school for him. The academics are rigorous, the teachers are top-notch, and the kids genuinely care about learning. The administration and extracurricular activities make it a wonderful place for teachers to work and students to attend. I have also had terrific parental involvement and support, and my wife and I give the same to our son's teachers as much as possible.
Available opportunities
I could make more money at other jobs. In fact, I have recently searched available opportunities and found higher-paying jobs for which I qualify both in and outside of education. I found one that would pay far more to work in online education. Another promised $1000+ per work day for part-time work but required frequent travel. Both are terrific financial opportunities, and many people would deem me foolish for not jumping at them. However, both would affect my son in ways for which the money could not make up.
Time for after-school activities
Currently, we get to leave school in the mid afternoon on most days. This time allows us to do many things together. For example, I help coach my son's baseball team, so I never have to miss his practices or games. We have often stopped off on the way home at a local game room, shopped for an item that he has wanted and earned, or just gone home to shoot some baskets or play games together while we wait for Mom to come home. Taking another job would mean a loss of that valuable after-school time that neither of us wants to lose.
Same time off together
Staying at the same school ensures that he and I will always have the same days off and breaks together. Fortunately, my wife's school usually follows a very similar schedule, so we all have mainly the same time off simultaneously. We love vacationing as much as we can, and because of our mutual time off, we get to take multiple trips together each year. A job change would ruin those times.
Accepting my choices and responsibility
Naturally, by staying at my current job, I also accept my current salary so I have only myself to blame for not making more money. I considered the other opportunities by more than just income. I heavily weighed the time I get with my wife and son. No salary could replace that lost time. As long as we do well enough financially, I see no reason to change. As our son becomes an adult and starts doing more of his own things, then I will more strongly consider career options. As for now, I am content to stay where I am at least until he graduates. I do not want to lose that time with him. I get one chance to watch him grow up, and I refuse to miss it.
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