Primrose Owner and her daughter, a Primrose student
Today, April 24, 2014, marks the 21st anniversary of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. It’s a working mom’s dream – to be able to invest in both her child and her career simultaneously – but it comes just once a year. That’s why Sharon Frank, mother of three, left her 15-year career in Corporate America to become an independent Primrose School Franchise Owner. She decided to make the perks of this National holiday a daily routine while investing in an even more rewarding career.
Working Parents Choose Children over Careers
Sharon is not alone as a working parent who longs to spend more time with her family:
- According to Sheryl Sandberg, author of Lean In, 43 percent of women with children leave their jobs.
- And nearly one-third of working mothers (and fathers) say they would take a pay cut to spend more time with their children, according to CareerBuilder.
You Really Can Have Both
Sharon says she absolutely can relate to these statistics. She loved her job in the technology sector of a major corporation, but she traveled extensively and wanted more time with her husband and three children. Determined to do right by their family, she and her husband were willing to quit their well-paying jobs to make a change. Fortunately, they found Primrose Schools, where they could invest in their children and community without compromising financial security. Since opening their own school in Bradenton-Sarasota, Fla., Sharon and her husband are now able to spend more quality time with their children and other families in their community. They are also better off financially, including equity and perks.
All three of her children have now graduated from the Primrose Schools private kindergarten program; and her youngest, Ally (pictured above), still attends the after-school educational child care program.
Tips for Balancing Career and Family
Sharon recommends the following tips for working moms trying to balance careers and children:
- Choose the right career for you. For Sharon, that includes one that:
- Does not include weekend work, and that
- Is child-focused – not just child-tolerant.
- Have a strong support system. For Sharon, that includes:
- Her husband, who co-owns and co-operates their Primrose school,
- Her amazing team at the Primrose School of Lakewood Ranch Town Center, and
- Primrose Schools Corporate Staff, who provides an established business model and accredited curriculum to implement.
Learn about another mom’s inspiring career change here.