[Catlover]

TheIronStar--I think it is very true that people today are looking for work/life balance for reasons other than or in addition to parenting responsibilities. As I move out of a parenting role in the next couple of years, I am definitely not planning to become mono-focused on work. I want to have the time to develop my other interests, as well as to exercise and take care of my body which is a "must" because of a poor family health history.

I work in HR, and I also see a number of employees who want the same. I hate to say it, but they tend to be Generation X, Y or Millenials. The older Baby Boomers are less likely to desire work/life balance and more likely to want to work very long hours which they call their "work ethic." Some can be short-sighted about others' choices. While the Baby Boomers are still in the seats of power within companies, it may be difficult to get ahead without emulating their approach. I see articles all of the time about the labor shortage that's going to ensure when the Baby Boomers retire, but quite frankly, I don't see much of an indication that they are going to do so any time soon. I think they will want to continue to build their 401ks unless poor health forces them out of the workforce. I have nothing against Baby Boomers and am technically one myself, but find that life experience has made me identify more with some of the other generations.

I urge you to continue to pursue work/life balance and advancement. Look for a forward-thinking company, and before interviewing anywhere, think up some thought-provoking questions designed to reveal what their culture really is like. Ask these questions later in the interview process once they have identified some interest in you. See if they measure success by results versus effort. I don't know what field you are in, and some (like law, for example) are more structured around hours than results. Those careers might be ones to avoid.

If you are a person who can achieve results and can learn their business and what makes it tick, most of the time I think they will let you have your work/life balance. I think the effort to find such a company will be worthwhile.