SAHM ready to re-enter work world...

[chip91]

Didn't know where else to turn but to the Dis boards..This isn't meant for a DEBATE, just wondering if there are Mom's out there who stayed at home while there kids were infants/toddlers/preschool age and then returned to work, how did you handle the change??

My youngest DD will be in school full-time next year, and I'm contemplating returning to the workforce after TTC for 1.5 years, I've given up on having one more..

Anyway, if you've done this was the transition hard for you?

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Curious about the answers that you get. I'm not nearly ready to return to the work force, as my little guy is only 2, but will be after he's well established in elementary school.

 

[kitsch4]

Hi, there. If you look at the "Working Moms" thread in this forum, you will find several moms who were SAH for awhile and then went back to work outside the home. You will also find many moms who are really happy with their decisions to work. It might help you feel a little better about your decision. I was only home for the first three months after both of my kids were born, but it is still a difficult transition. Best of luck to you!

 

[bebelle]

I will give my 2 cents. I found that it was easier to work outside the home when my son was younger. Now that he is a teenager I feel it is important to have a stronger presence in the home. It is a tough time for kids and too many tend to take the wrong path at this stage in their lives. Not to mention the extra activities that demand hauling them to and fro. I gave up a very high paying profession to be home with my son. I am not being critical of those who choose to work outside the home. It is just that this situation is working out well for our family. Everyone has to do what is best for their specific situation.

 

[Elaine R]

I have worked in the child care industry for over a dozen years. Many parents do exactly as you are proposing. If you feel that the transition is too hard right now, you might want to see if you can work a part time/ reduced schedule while the kids are in school. Or, try to schedule your job so that one parent is at home in the morning with the kids and the other is at home in the afternoon. That way you can try to avoid child care if you don't want it.

 

[woodchuck]

I was a SAHM for the first 2 years of DS life. Then I was ready to be back to work. I found a job in our paper that was only 4 hours to start off. In June I will be there for 2 years. DS loves going to his sitter's. I found it was easier to start off a few hours day a day and biuld up to a 8 hour day. I was at my job for about little over a 1/2 a year before I had 5 8 hour days. So if you can I would say start with a few hours here and there it will be easy on you all. Hope that this helps you any.

 

[Nanu57v]

I have worked in the child care industry for over a dozen years. Many parents do exactly as you are proposing. If you feel that the transition is too hard right now, you might want to see if you can work a part time/ reduced schedule while the kids are in school. Or, try to schedule your job so that one parent is at home in the morning with the kids and the other is at home in the afternoon. That way you can try to avoid child care if you don't want it.

I agree...I'm a daycare director, and we have teachers who only work when school is in session (i.e. 9-2 and summer's off). You may be able to find a position like this. Personally, I think the 'perfect' job to have when kids are in school is a substitute teacher. It doesn't pay much, but the hours are perfect, snow days the same, and taking a sick day is no prob.

 

[sara74]

Our neighbor, who has been a SAHM since she had her boys (15 and 11) returned to work last year at a local private school. I know she loves the stimulation, the money and the schedule - she's home by 4 pm and will be home all summer. So, OP, that might be a good choice for you. Another good idea mentioned on the working mothers thread is working in a Drs. office. Stay in your town (if you can) and you will have familiar faces, next to no commute and possibly flexible hours. We love having staff like that in our office - they know everyone in town, they are mature and responsible - it generally works out great.

 

[C_leen]

Hi!

I also agree that slowly coming back to the work force if possible is nice though I was not a SAHM. I have hired in several moms coming back into the workforce. By offering them part time matching their child care schedule, it made for a loyal & grateful employee. One of them eventually went full time and the other continues to work PT. I think both were happy with their decisions. I was happy to have capable and thoughtful staff.

As your kids get older, balancing work and raising your kids continues to be a challenge. I take off a half day a month to volunteer in the classroom at my son's school. Although this cuts into precious vacation time, it is time well spent seeing how my son behaves and interacts in the classroom as well as meeting his classmates. Eating lunch with a throng of kindergartners is hilarious. I try to really cherish these moments where my son actually preens to have me around as I understand they outgrow it so fast!

 

[susykt4]

I've been working fulltime for a little over a year after staying home (working very parttime) for 5 1/2 years. I love it! I'm very happy for the time I spent with my children (now 6 and 4) but staying at home was driving me crazy. I personally don't enjoy the mom's groups and all the organized activities for toddlers and preschoolers. We were doing some of that as well as going to the library, parks, etc., but I felt we spent WAY too much time at home in front of the tv.

For me, working fulltime puts me on a schedule and makes everything far more organized. My house is cleaner, I prepare more meals, I'm just overall a happier person. (I have nothing but respect for the people who can stay home AND do all of this!)

A good friend works only school hours and in her case it's the "worst of both worlds." She leaves immediately after her kids get on the bus, pulls into the driveway at the same time as the bus and often has to do work at home. She doesn't get any of the benefits of a fulltime working mom- such as the kids not messing up the house right after school, etc. She's ALWAYS overwhelmed with housework and work work and gets very little enjoyment out of the "oh so important time with the kids." She's WAY more stressed out than any of the SAHMs or fulltime working moms I know.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Hi I just went back to work this past november! I suggest you read the other post here on working moms too, there are alot good posts on that thread! I stayed home for 3 years it was very nice being able to be home with them. I decided to go back to work, mainly for the extra money, we were making it, but some times it was tough. I went back part time, i only work 4 nights a week so i am still home all day with my 3 year old and get to bring and pick up the others from school. When I go to work at night they are home with dh, so it's not that bad at all, for them that is, when I first started I felt so guilty , like I was doing something wrong or something I still have that feeling of guilt come over me once and a while, but at the same time, I know i have to work, and they are fine, I was home for so long, it will just take a little while to get used to the change. Not to mention our trip to Disney next year would not have been possible on just dhs income! I do really enjoy my job, it's wonderful actuallly! When I am there I am happy, and when i'm home i'm happy and so arent' the kids.