I commuted 5 hours a day, 3 days a week for a year. I quit and pivoted my career to spend more time with my daughter.

Alexandra Kelly now enjoys afterschool afternoons with her daughter.

Courtesy of Alexandra R. Kelly

• After I was laid off from my remote job in 2023, I could only find hybrid roles.
• I took a job with a five-hour commute, three days a week, but after a year, I'd had enough.
• I quit and pivoted my career. My daughter is 5 and I wouldn't want to miss this time with her.

For me, the COVID-19 pandemic gave me the unexpected benefit of starting my parenthood journey working from home.