Q: I've been working for years at night as a copy editor at a midsize daily. My wife is expecting our third child and we have discussed me finding a day job. I've been told the most common way to get a day job is by becoming an editor at a weekly or trade publication. Is this true? Would such a move be bad for my career?

Thanks,

Daytime

A: Two thoughts, one professional and one personal:

Professional: Don't move to a weekly or a trade just to get days. It will be hard to get back to dailies. Instead, look to become a day-side copy editor (business or features or at one of the few remaining afternoon papers) or look to move to being an assignment editor.

Personal: When I started at the Free Press, I came in for an afternoon shift (3-11 p.m.) and we soon had our second child. The shift was perfect for having little ones. If you work nine to five, you rarely see the babies who, once they get the day/night thing figured out, tend to rise at 7 a.m. and conk out at 7 p.m. Day jobs, plus the commute, make you miss all but an hour at the beginning of the day and an hur at the end. Late or early schedules give you more kid time and help you overlap responsibilities with another parent.

Of course, once my kids started school I wanted to be more nine-to-fivey.

I'm sure you've thought about your own situation and know what works best doe your family. Some of this is for others who are no doubt wondering the same thing.