[nickd2001]

Sounds like you're already well on the way to "a new adventure with some real challenges" because you also mentioned your wife is pregnant. ;) But seriously, maybe wait till your 3rd little one is 2 or 3 before making any major career changes? I did a master's, it was well worth it for interesting parts of comp sci, and definitely opens some doors in terms of getting interviews. Not essential though. I did mine part-time. Not sure if its worth doing full-time as a more mature student.

[pnutjam]

I have 6 kids, 7 is on the way. I have changed jobs when my wife is pregnant. If you have no parental bonding leave, it's not big deal. I had no leave with my 1st 5 kids and 2 weeks with my 6th. My current company has 6 weeks, so I'm incentivized to stick around. They treat me pretty well overall.

Find something you like and keep at it, since 2001, I've gone from: helpdesk > pc /network tech > network admin > system admin (windows) > system admin (linux) > sr. sysadmin (linux).

Unfortunately I've never had a decent raise without changing jobs.

[theory_of_10_1]

> Unfortunately I've never had a decent raise without changing jobs

unfortunate, but true in a lot of companies

[ssss11]

I need to second this ^ there’s nothing harder than a new job (let alone a challenging one!) with a new born. Maybe take a couple of years to really consider what the next move is before doing it. Speak with recruiters, find out what your role will pay at a similar company where you are, what other adjacent roles would pay and whether you’d get a look in, talk about your options for other industries or roles you’re interested in but not qualified for, hell even go for interviews for practice if you think you can (I’m awful at that but people have recommended to me before)

[redisman]

Depends how far along she is. I changed to a less stressful and better paid and better leave job about 4 months before birth and it was a great move. I also went from 0 to 4 weeks of parental leave which I didn’t even know at the time