When working parents consider going part-time, the question often sounds straightforward: Should I cut back my hours? But beneath that lies a tangle of deeper issues—identity, ambition, money, family dynamics, and long-term career trajectory. It’s rarely just about schedules or paychecks.

For some, the hope is relief from burnout or more presence with loved ones. For others, it’s a way to preserve their career by making it sustainable. Yet without clarity and intentional boundaries, part-time can just as easily create new pressures as it relieves old ones.

Here are some things to consider before making the decision:

Start by naming what you’re really after

When someone tells me they’re thinking about going part-time, my first question is always: What do you hope this will give you?

So

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