Dilema.....The better half has just told me that she is pregnant which is the best news ever as far as im concerned...Question is....1) Do I try to leave MC now and look for a more friendly job with respect to hours and travel.2) Stick it out some more with the hope of promotion this year and that my firm will hopefully give me UK based jobs or jobs close to my home base so that I dont actually miss my kid growing up??Only serious opinions please

First of all congratulations.Good question too - I did this - ie quit soon after we found out wife was pregnant.Given the state of the mkt right now, wait til baby is born and only then start looking. Maybe even build up a nest egg now.Don't assume that just cos you've got a kid the career will end straight away, I'd suggest to try and make it work first. The first few weeks/months as a parent will be tough whether you're working in MC or not. If you change now you'll be only a few months into a new job, or possibly still unemployed.Second time round (2nd baby) I stayed with the consultancy throughout and it worked out well

A lot does depend upon your firm, your skills set etc. etc. however...Unless your promotion coming up is to partner let's be realistic. Your hours will never become more friendly, except for short periods, and you will continue travelling all over the place.In my opinion Management Consulting is the wrong career if you want to have more time with your kids. Different people want to give their children different things but in terms of seeing them grow up but I think you already know the answer to your question.

Do contract work - I do, see my kids every morning and evening, weekends free and........much, much more money!Best thing I ever did - but have to admit it isn't for everybody - I've been lucky so far but there is always the risk of not getting/big gaps between contracts - but then again, that does mean more time with the kids!

Where do you get your contracts?

Same boat. I decided to go the contract route 6 months ago and its been very very good so far. Contract pipeline risk mitigation advice: I didn't quit my job but took a year's sabbatical.

are you allowed to work in the industry while on a sabatical or do usual conflict of interest types clauses apply, what I mean is, you are usually not allowed to have a second job is the same area

Got approval first: the clients I serve are very different... small startups, very small budgets for consultancies and the work is more operational