the seven-year itch
by rantywoman
I love this idea, but if I take another break in seven years, I’m probably signing up for early retirement, because I’m not sure I could find another good full-time job as an unemployed woman in my early fifties:
https://www.ted.com/talks/stefan_sagmeister_the_power_of_time_off#t-58
thebitterbabe 
Does your job offer a sabbatical of any kind? Or would you be able to specially arrange for something like that? It would be nice to take the time off and still have your job waiting for you.
Yes, that would be wonderful, but as far as I know, it doesn’t. However, perhaps if they really wanted to hang on to an employee… who knows? I don’t think my past employers would have allowed it.
Yes, you never know. Can’t hurt to inquire about it maybe when the time is right. If they don’t want to lose you, maybe it can be worked out.
I am contemplating early retirement in a few years when I hit 55… part of it is pure burnout. A sabbatical would have been heavenly, but they are not offered in my company, although some executives have taken leaves of absence (presumably unpaid) & returned to similar level jobs without their careers seeming to take too much of a hit.
One of my friends had a government job where she deferred part of her salary in each cheque, and then every few years, she got to take a six-month paid sabbatical. She extended maternity leave with her first daughter that way, and one year, she took the summer off & drove across the country with her two daughters. I would LOVE to have been able to do something like that.
I would have loved/would love to have that option too! I’m aiming for 55 as well.