<p>mythmom,</p>
<p>Indeed, I have read online comments from many women who did what you did and lost tenure, or even had to switch careers, because they could not recuperate from the effects.</p>
<p>I’m happy for you that your situation worked out. However, before everything was “happily ever after”, did you have a “plan B”? Were you considering options outside of academia if your school shut you out and would not give you tenure? Or were you willing to just accept your fate whatever it was?</p>
<p>Also, do you think the “effects” are directly related to the time you take off (in those schools that are less supportive), or can you “make up” for it if you publish more cutting edge stuff or are more productive during the times while you are at work?</p>