Thinking of Returning to Work

Do you feel that some how by being a SAHM you are not contributing to society? That somehow the last 7 years have been a waste of time? That motherhood doesn't take a brain to do? You don't need to respond this is just food for thought.
C. B

Hi, A. C!
What a wonderful position to be in! Great family and financial security. I'm at home now because I've recently become an epileptic. I needed income, too. I agree with Paula R. There are number of home-based businesses around, like Mary Kay, PartyLites or Arbonne International, the company for whom I consult. Things that you should consider in evaluating opportunities: Quality of the products you represent; how often do your clients need to reorder products; and compensation. I can't speak for Mary Kay or PartyLites, but there are ways to use Arbonne as a fund-raiser as well as an income. Good luck in your search!

hey A.. I have a 14 month old daughter and i work part-time. I work at Starbucks for the insurance cause we are a self employed family. I wish I could stay home but its nice to be out sometimes. I only work 20 hours a week a few days a week, but I work with alot of people who just work a couple days a week for a few hours. so if its something you are interested in it is there. They will work with your schedule and you could come in after school starts and be off before it gets out! So its an option for you if you need some play $ or saving $.

I would sit down and think of things you enjoy, and go from there. You could do volunteer work some where and help out in the society or if you have a hobby that you could get paid for and do on your own time.I have a dd who turns 2 in June and I have been working on trying to atleast take a couple of college course to keep me going. What ever you decide to do, make sure you enjoy it and have fun. I hope this helps and gl.

For any mom thinking about returning to work, you might want to know that there is a new job search website about to be launched in Denver which actually embraces and caters to re-entering moms! It's called careerco.com. They're going to offer lots of free resources, even free career coaching.

They are hosting an event called CareerConnect on Sept 16 from 5:30-7:00pm at Rio Grande Restaurant in Denver. The tag line is "Network. Gain Resources. Have Fun." For more information, contact ____@____.com this helps.

Hi A.,

How cool for you to stay home with the kids for so long. When my daughter was young, we couldn't afford for me to stay home longer than a year, and then I went back part-time (initially).

You might want to consider a home-based business that keeps you grounded to the residence and your children, but also allows you to network with others who are doing the same thing as you are. If you'd like, there's a group called Mom's At Home Making A Difference (Project Mahma), that might be something that interests you. My website access is: http://www.projectmahma.com/sowing4health

Whatever you do, pray first and ask for His divine purpose and destiny to be fullfilled in what you do. God bless.

L.

I am thinking the same thing! My youngest is off to kindergarden full day as well! I also know what you mean about the $ stuff, we are comfortable too but it would be nice to have some of my own $ , and helping to pay off that mortgage would be empowering!
I am thinking of subsitute teaching, I can work when I want and no worries about committments( like if your little one is sick), and same calendar as the kids. I know right now I could not work full time, my husband has a demanding job and I have most of the responsibilities at home. What does your husband think? I think their can be a balance, if working energizes you then that benifits your family. Also if you can pay some people to do some things like housecleaning that helps. Also remember working full time requires the kids in day care after school and probably before so your little one will be gone from 7 to 6? At least 9 or ten hours a day, and in the summer too!
I so know what you mean about everything being about the kids, if I have one more conversation about the school I might scream( figuratively ofcourse!). What about doing something fun unrelated to the kids? I'd love to know what you decide, I have struggled with this too! ____@____.com

Once I had my daughter I wanted to return to work part time. I went back for about 2 weeks and decided to just stay at home with my her. Not only did i miss her so much but a few of the ladies that I worked with said something that has stuck with me. (they are all older than me and their children are high school age or older) They said that once my children are all grown up I will look back and say that I wish I would have been around more. But if I stay at home I would never regret it. Now I'm not saying that you or anyone else is a bad mom for working while they have young children, and i understand the need for adult conversation. So if you really want to work than do, but you could also just get a part time job doing something else and then once your children are older you could go back to work full time. Also my mom worked while I was young and I hated that she could never go on field trips with me or that she had to miss some of my after school activities. I never liked having to come home to an empty house or to walk home from the bus stop in a snow storm because my mom was working and couldn't pick me up. I love my mom and I know she loves her job but from a daughters point of view i wish she would have been home more.

I am very curious to hear what you ended up deciding! I see your post was written several years ago, but I found it since I did a search - as I'm contemplating the same decision.

What did you decide?

Hi, A.! When my youngest started all-day pre-k, I considered going back to school or work. I actually interviewed for a position. I chose not to do either at that time, but decided to see how that year would go, then consider it again when my youngest started kindergarten. What I realized during that year was between Aug.(when school started) and May (when school let out) I had only 3 full weeks where all the kids were in school M-F. Every other week involved either a school holiday, sick child, doc appt. It was endless. I realized that if I HAD gone back to work, I would have had to take so much time off work to deal with my kids' schedules that it would almost not be worth it. Also, my house would have been a constant mess, my family would NEVER have gotten a home cooked meal and after-school activities would not have been an option. I would never have had time to volunteer at my kids' schools (which they LOVE) and I would have been really unhappy. I truly believed that once all my kids were in school, I would have so much free time. The reality is that the opposite is true. I'm so busy now! But it's a "happy" busy. I certainly don't have the time to hold down a full-time job AND be there 100% for my kids, but I DO have the time to occasionally get my nails done or go for a massage or have lunch with a friend. If you really want to go back to work, you should (after all, if it's something that fulfills you and makes you happy, it will carry over into your family life - if Mom's happy, the whole family benefits), but please, don't make the mistake of thinking that being a full-time SAHM is brainless or not contributing to society - I think most people will agree that raising children to be happy well-adjusted adults is one of the toughest jobs. It may be boring at times and you may think you're not doing anything significant, but, done right, the payoff is greater than one any career will ever give you. Many of my friends are working mothers and many others are stay-at-home moms. They all have their own problems and triumphs and are doing the best they can. You're in a lucky position...you don't HAVE to go back to work for the $$. If you start working, then decide it's not right, you could always go back to being a SAHM. There's no right or wrong answer here - you gotta do what's best for you and your family. Right?

A., first of all i commend you on being able to stay home with your children and still live. This day in age it really takes two incomes to survive. My suggestion is to find something you love and turn it into income. Sounds dumb at first but have you considered Partylite, or Mary Kay. Things like that. They take you away form home for only a little bit and make money. I did both and really did not feel like i was working it was fun and financial rewarding as well. What ever you choose you do just fine keep up the good work with the kids you have!!!!!!!!

Have you thought of just trying to get a job with your school district? That is what I do, that way it works around their schedules, and you'll have summers and holidays off etc.

I would only make sure you realize that kids need you there all the time. It is so wonderful for kids, throughout even their teenage years to have you home when they get home, and to always know you are there for them.

I'm sure as you ponder you will make the right decision, whatever that may be for you and your family. :)

K.

Hello A.,

Have you ever thought about working from Home? You have some great goals - paying off your house - kudos to you- that is awesome.

I work from home with an amazing group of Moms - our Team is Freedom United and we can help you work from home. You can visit my website: www.AHomeCareer.com - meet our leadership team and if you are interested request more info and I would be happy to share with you in full detail what we do. There is no pressure to listen to a presentation either.

Wouldn't it be great though if you could have it all - set your own schedule and have something else to talk about too?

Hope to hear from you soon.
Blessings,
C.

I wish I could stay at home and focus on my son. I wish I could go on a walk in the morning. I wish I could go to school with my son when he is stressed about something about at school. I wish I wish I wish......You're lucky. Your kids are only going to be kids for a very short time. I envy anyone who can enjoy that.

S.