Specialities which allow you to have children

**Dr Noodle** · 04-12-2007, 08:08 PM

This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately (ye maybe my lady hormone levels are up whatever

). I love children and want to have kids of my own when I'm older. I don't want to have to dump them on the au-pair girl and only see them for a few hours every third weekend, spoiling them each time so they grow up to be brats with an unrealistic view on life. I'd like to be able to spend time with them.

Is being a GP the only option? No offence to the GPs out there but it's not something I can imagine enjoying. Do I just have to make a sacrifice one way or the other...or marry a man with no career prospects who won't mind staying at home?

**James** · 04-12-2007, 11:07 PM

The most child friendly options in hospital medicine are anaesthetics and paediatrics. But don't discount specialties with on-calls from home such as pathology, microbiology, haematology, rheumatology and Dermatology. Oncology is supposed to be pretty good for kids as well.

**Dr Noodle** · 04-12-2007, 11:12 PM

I'm inclined to count pathology out, I want to work with living patients. I've heard that many oncologists quit before they reach retirement age because it's so hard emotionally so I might count that one out as well. Plus I read about a study recently which claims that children, who's mothers don't have good job satisfaction, tend to grow up with emotional problems. I don't know enough about the others so I'll leave them in as options. Anaesthetics seems to require a lot of responsibility but seems to be very interesting too. I know I might come across as over eager and thinking way too far in the future but no harm in enquiring now right. Thanks for your reply James

**bizzybee** · 08-12-2007, 01:27 AM

James,

Was very interested in your reply above as I am particularly interested in pursuing Pediatrics as a career option.
Why do you say it is children-friendly ie. what kind of hours do they do etc??

**James** · 08-12-2007, 02:18 PM

The full time working hours for Paeds is hard going. Normal 9-5 for five days a week + usually one late shift (to 10pm) per week and every third or fourth weekend. Also every 5 or 6 weeks you will do a week of nights (9pm to 9am). Generally these hours are similar as an SHO (ST1 -3) or Reg (ST4+). In Neonates it is generally much tougher as there are less people on the rota.

The reason that the specialty is 'family friendly' is that there are lots of opportunities to train part time (ie work 50% of the hours, but for 50% pay and double the training time). Some specialties like surgery have very limited opportunities for part time trainees.

**chicken66** · 08-12-2007, 02:35 PM

this thread has given me food for thought, so thank you Dr Noodle. I'd love to have kids, and should think i will in the next few years. I assumed that my only career path would be as a GP, despite always wanting to do paeds, and having interests in other specialities....now i have hope that this may not be the case

**Dr Noodle** · 08-12-2007, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by James

The reason that the specialty is 'family friendly' is that there are lots of opportunities to train part time (ie work 50% of the hours, but for 50% pay and double the training time).

That sounds good. Would 50% pay be enough to support a family though, assuming my partner didn't work?

**Pammy** · 10-12-2007, 02:54 PM

Sorry if this is too private a question or something, but why would your partner not work at all?

**Dr Noodle** · 10-12-2007, 02:58 PM

What I meant was say if my partner didn't work and we had to survive on my 50% wages, would it be enough? Dads sometimes stay at home to mind the kids while while the mum goes out to work. It's not that uncommon any more.

**Pammy** · 10-12-2007, 03:01 PM

But then you wouldn't only be able to work 50%?

It's funny how in English everyone nowadays uses the word "partner"...I tried it in the company of some Germans recently and they all assumed I was talking about my business partner :-)