SAHM to working full time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical for a SAHM reentering the workforce. Some don’t even know Microsoft basics - how to check email, use Word, setup a spreadsheet. My mom stayed at home for 25 years. When she went back to work, all she could muster was a part-time job at a jewelry store. Besides a loss of technical skills, SAHMs seem to be out-of-touch with the world, in general. Basically, they struggle with the most simple workplace tasks and to even understand the world around them. As you say, it’s like a different world to them. Though I love my mom, she was useless to help me decide a major, write a resume, or navigate the practical world. Lots of hugs and kisses, but otherwise not helpful.

Your mom's job was to love and raise a successful kid and she seems to have done that as you were someone able to figure out how to write a resume as an adult.

I hope my kids don't grow up as snobbish and elitist as you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people thing OP is saying “information technology is bewildering?” I interpreted “it is bewildering” meaning the whole situation, but I guess it could be the tech!

Note that OP said transitioning back after *many* years of SAHM and a career change.

I’ve been out of the workforce for 14 years but I can’t imagine struggling with PowerPoint or teams or Dropbox or something.

[Anonymous]

I’m just not sure after 7 years if I’d ever want to go back to working full time. I’ve had a taste of enjoying my life and my family and my hours being mine. I just can’t see any world where I’d willing trade my hours of my life every day to a company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people thing OP is saying “information technology is bewildering?” I interpreted “it is bewildering” meaning the whole situation, but I guess it could be the tech!

Note that OP said transitioning back after *many* years of SAHM and a career change.

I’ve been out of the workforce for 14 years but I can’t imagine struggling with PowerPoint or teams or Dropbox or something.

+1. Even HS grads know how to use basic computer software. My 70-year-old parents know how to use Zoom, thanks to Covid. This isn't the 90's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical for a SAHM reentering the workforce. Some don’t even know Microsoft basics - how to check email, use Word, setup a spreadsheet. My mom stayed at home for 25 years. When she went back to work, all she could muster was a part-time job at a jewelry store. Besides a loss of technical skills, SAHMs seem to be out-of-touch with the world, in general. Basically, they struggle with the most simple workplace tasks and to even understand the world around them. As you say, it’s like a different world to them. Though I love my mom, she was useless to help me decide a major, write a resume, or navigate the practical world. Lots of hugs and kisses, but otherwise not helpful.

You must be f’ing joking. I went back to being a practicing attorney after 12 years home with kids. It was overwhelming for a few months because I had to learn all the technology and processes that my firm uses, get up to speed on new regs in my field, etc., but then I got in the rhythm and I’m just as capable as any other working parent / attorney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Typical for a SAHM reentering the workforce. Some don’t even know Microsoft basics - how to check email, use Word, setup a spreadsheet. My mom stayed at home for 25 years. When she went back to work, all she could muster was a part-time job at a jewelry store. Besides a loss of technical skills, SAHMs seem to be out-of-touch with the world, in general. Basically, they struggle with the most simple workplace tasks and to even understand the world around them. As you say, it’s like a different world to them. Though I love my mom, she was useless to help me decide a major, write a resume, or navigate the practical world. Lots of hugs and kisses, but otherwise not helpful.

You must be f’ing joking. I went back to being a practicing attorney after 12 years home with kids. It was overwhelming for a few months because I had to learn all the technology and processes that my firm uses, get up to speed on new regs in my field, etc., but then I got in the rhythm and I’m just as capable as any other working parent / attorney.

Pp here again. And I know multiple other women who have made similar transitions back. Best of luck OP, you’ll get you’re footing soon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Typical for a SAHM reentering the workforce. Some don’t even know Microsoft basics - how to check email, use Word, setup a spreadsheet. My mom stayed at home for 25 years. When she went back to work, all she could muster was a part-time job at a jewelry store. Besides a loss of technical skills, SAHMs seem to be out-of-touch with the world, in general. Basically, they struggle with the most simple workplace tasks and to even understand the world around them. As you say, it’s like a different world to them. Though I love my mom, she was useless to help me decide a major, write a resume, or navigate the practical world. Lots of hugs and kisses, but otherwise not helpful.

Why does this seem like you were waiting to slam your mom? This has nothing to do with op's question and seems very mean spirted. You are basically saying if you don't have a paying job than you are worthless.

Not worthless, but kids do lookup to their parents, and when they don’t have a clue about the world, the kid is kinda on their own. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but OP’s post just reminded me of how out-of-touch my mom was with the modern world after being at home for so many years. I don’t think it was a well-balanced life.

My busy working parents weee absentee emotionally, just couldn’t manage being engaged with three kids’ lives and working full time. It took me years as an adult to overcome extreme anxiety and other emotional issues. So being a role model for professional success isn’t the only important measure.

[Anonymous]

Just starting a new job can be bewildering, even if you were not SAH, but doing the same kind of role in a similar industry! It takes time to figure things out. You’ll catch on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m just not sure after 7 years if I’d ever want to go back to working full time. I’ve had a taste of enjoying my life and my family and my hours being mine. I just can’t see any world where I’d willing trade my hours of my life every day to a company.

Well, yeah most parents I know would love to retire at the birth of their first child, no surprise there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical for a SAHM reentering the workforce. Some don’t even know Microsoft basics - how to check email, use Word, setup a spreadsheet. My mom stayed at home for 25 years. When she went back to work, all she could muster was a part-time job at a jewelry store. Besides a loss of technical skills, SAHMs seem to be out-of-touch with the world, in general. Basically, they struggle with the most simple workplace tasks and to even understand the world around them. As you say, it’s like a different world to them. Though I love my mom, she was useless to help me decide a major, write a resume, or navigate the practical world. Lots of hugs and kisses, but otherwise not helpful.

Oh man I never would have let my mom help with those things. How old are you? I graduated from high school in 2001 and I just used the internet and got advice from people I knew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just want to note: Those who SAHM, when you start transitioning back to getting a full-time job after many years and add in there a career change, IT IS BEWILDERING! I feel like I am on an alien planet right now as I venture on this new pathway.

Yes, but good for you! I’m not sure others realize how much resilience and adaptability returning parents have. Sure it takes time to learn new things and get up to speed, but we aren’t parked and mentally checked out like some people who’ve been paid all along. If I hadn’t taken time off to parent, I probably would have just stayed in my job. Instead, I took years off, learned lots of new things and when I returned to work, returned with a lot of ambition and self-motivation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical for a SAHM reentering the workforce. Some don’t even know Microsoft basics - how to check email, use Word, setup a spreadsheet. My mom stayed at home for 25 years. When she went back to work, all she could muster was a part-time job at a jewelry store. Besides a loss of technical skills, SAHMs seem to be out-of-touch with the world, in general. Basically, they struggle with the most simple workplace tasks and to even understand the world around them. As you say, it’s like a different world to them. Though I love my mom, she was useless to help me decide a major, write a resume, or navigate the practical world. Lots of hugs and kisses, but otherwise not helpful.

Wow, you have some mommy issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m just not sure after 7 years if I’d ever want to go back to working full time. I’ve had a taste of enjoying my life and my family and my hours being mine. I just can’t see any world where I’d willing trade my hours of my life every day to a company.

Yup. But I'm trading it for $ i otherwise wouldn't have to have my house etc. I think starting anything majorly new, new job, moving to a new place etc is really stressful and takes time to get ones bearings. We just transitioned from nanny care for 2 in school/full day preschool and the am and pm is so much more stressful with 2 drop offs and pickups and planning for the random school days off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m just not sure after 7 years if I’d ever want to go back to working full time. I’ve had a taste of enjoying my life and my family and my hours being mine. I just can’t see any world where I’d willing trade my hours of my life every day to a company.

Some people need mkbeyvv bc abd don’t have a choice. I suspect it’s most people though they say they would NEVER not eitovs paying job. Yeah right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m just not sure after 7 years if I’d ever want to go back to working full time. I’ve had a taste of enjoying my life and my family and my hours being mine. I just can’t see any world where I’d willing trade my hours of my life every day to a company.

+1 but I feel guilty admitting this