I couldnt afford a corporate job, a great home and two kids in California so heres what I did

As a mother of two in California, I can no longer have the trifecta — a corporate paycheck, a highly desirable place to live, and flexible time to spend with my kids.I can only choose two.After my second baby was born this year, I left the corporate career I spent a decade building.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story From the outside, rising childcare costs are the culprit.Nationwide, California unsurprisingly ranks near the bottom for childcare costs at No.

48, as of 2026.After our second child, the math stopped making sense. But as any working mom will tell you, the choice is more complex than childcare alone.As a fine wine public relations professional, most of my career has been spent drinking wine.I’ve had the opportunity to taste some of the best wines in the world, attend glamorous events, and meet the winemakers behind the stories I help tell.I spent over 10 years living and working between Wine Country, Monterey Bay, and other state hot spots, where the idyllic version of California is the norm and selling it was part of my job.But the California lifestyle we’re sold is becoming increasingly difficult to enjoy if you’re a parent.After my husband and I moved our family to California’s rural heartland, we quickly realized parents here are facing challenges similar to those in their metro counterparts.“My husband commutes to the Bay Area during the week and leaves at 3 a.m.

to beat the traffic.We’re lucky that he has a friend to commute with; otherwise I’d worry he’d fall asleep on the drive.”These are the conversations happening between moms in the school carpool line.

Having one or both parents with steep commutes is a commonality.California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports...