“I really want to be in school hols with G; oh well, off to work I go”. My Facebook status from August 1st, 2011, isn’t unique. It’s a sentiment that so many parents share. The pull between work and home over the school holidays. The juggle of arranging childcare and having memory-filled experiences. Maybe you are reading this, thinking, “Enough is enough”. Next year MUST be different. But you don’t quite know when to start. You are wondering, “When is the best time to make a change in my career?”
Just after I shared my status from 15 years ago, I started my 40-minute commute to Birmingham City Centre. I was off to a full-time job. A job that I loved, that was flexible, purposeful and supportive. I was due to start a new job shortly; an internal promotion for the role I had been aspiring to for a while!
That niggle was at the back of my brain, about wanting more flexibility, more time at home, term-time working. I was the mum of one daughter, with no solid plans to have another child, after our two devastating losses. I had no idea, four years later, EVERYTHING would change.
My monumental career and life change came when I was 36 years old. Being made redundant was the catalyst for the decision.
With a nine-year-old, a three-year-old, a mortgage and a leap of faith, I decided to start my own coaching practise. Some might call it a change of careers; I just knew I had a wish to balance my career ambitions with my new life perspective.
Now, I’m at home with my two kids, working flexibly over the summer, running my own business. I spent two days last week helping “G” move out of her second-year university accommodation, and my youngest is getting ready to enter year 10. How things can change.
So, when I say I can help you create a career to enjoy, it’s more than a service. I’ve been there, got the T-shirt. Truth is, sometimes you must take a risk to have the life and career you want.
However, when you have responsibilities, it’s not just as simple as walking away and starting again. The best risks are calculated and have some planning in place!
When I work through these career changes with clients, the route can be different. For some, like me, it’s self-employment. For others it’s flexible working requests, new roles or new companies. For others, it’s a longer game; considering what to do now for their finances, boundaries and commitments to give them the balance they want, and to build on for the future.
But one thing is in common: a constructive conversation and covering three key points, to help you make a change in your career.
Knowing what success looks like
What do you need to have to make sure the next opportunities work for you? From practical elements like salary and hours, to knowing how things are working, knowing this in advance can help you feel more confident with your change.
Considering what “worst case” looks like
A simple worst case for me was being unable to pay my bills! So, understanding what the “early” red flags of this would look like (namely leads and invoices) enabled me to feel comfortable about managing that risk. What would be the equivalent for you?
Planning for what you can control.
Finally, what elements of your career and personal life do you feel truly able to control and influence (which are two different things!) This can help you make plans for the worst-case scenario but also help you start the conversations and changes.
So, in answer to the question, “when is the best time to make a change in your career”, my answer is “when you have a plan.”
My clients are parents questioning “what next” for their careers. They are Mums and Dads seeking a better balance, more confidence and, finally, a career they can enjoy! And sometimes that means making a change.
What risks are you willing to take for a career you enjoy?
I’m Clara Wilcox, the affordable coach who helps parents enjoy their careers again. Return to work, career & redundancy coaching for individuals, freelancers, businesses and parents & carer groups. Book a call to talk about coaching or career wellbeing workshops.
Read more articles about career changes here:
How to support your career when you feel too busy
Book Review: Futureproof (9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation) by Kevin Roose
Where to find flexible jobs for parents (updated for 2026)
How can you find purpose in your work, in a world that feels unpredictable?
How to change careers without starting over
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
