part-time, work-at-home jobs?
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Anonymous
| Use this time to get an education of some sort so you can afford to take a job that requires child care. |
Anonymous
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OP, some of these negative and discouraging PPs who are saying it's crazy to think you can get back into your previous field are just working moms who are defensive about their decision to keep working. The thought of someone else being able to raise her kids and then slowly get back into her field with hours that allow her to still be there for her kids makes them feel less validated in their decision to never stop working.
In this day of teleworking, it is absolutely plausible for you to find this kind of work. I would send out your resume and see what happens. When you are ready to go back full time, please know that a lot of companies like to hire SAHMs because they know that they've already raised their kids and they won't suddenly quit to raise a family. Of course they can't say that, but that's what they are thinking. Employers are also finding that SAHMs make great employees because they have great organizational and people skills. They are reliable and can multi-task like nobody else. And if you are happy with your DH's benefits, you should let potential employers know that you are not interested in a benefits package. that will save the company LOTS of money so it will make you a very attractive candidate. |
Anonymous
| IF you are interested in being a professional organizer, I suggest that you try to get a part time job at The Container Store. It is a very family-friendly place to work and you will learn computer skills and closet design. This could be a good first step. Of course, working from home will not work. |
Anonymous
I agree. I am the pp whose office just took on a SAHM. Thinking about it, my friend, who was a SAH for 8 years was recently hired by a large international institution. She was hired in an area (HR) that she had not worked in for 15 years. As pp says, she's had her kids, is completely dedicated and is doing very well by all accounts ( i know 3 other people in her department). Keep trying OP. You'll find something that suits your schedule. Good luck. |
Anonymous
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Op here
THANK YOU for the encouraging words! the thought of re-entering the workforce in any capacity is a bit scary. I think I'm going to start sending out my resume and see what happens. DH thinks I should try that first and if I get no response I could sign up for a couple of classes in the fall. I think that sounds like a good plan. I am going to look into some of these great suggestions too! |
Anonymous
| What about consulting? For example, my uncle had a small firm where they'd win small jobs/contracts with the gov't. In those cases, he needed to staff up to get the work done (which was computer-based), but then staff down as soon as it was over. Your flexibility (paid only for projects, not full-time) may be attractive to smaller companies that win gov't contracts. You may want to look at SBA 8A firms that bid on projects in your expertise area. I bet you can even find a list online somewhere since such firms are registered with SBA to get certified. Or read the list of bidders on an RFP. |
Anonymous
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OP here.
PP, that is actually the type of work I did before kiddos. It is very encouraging to hear someone suggest it when you didn't know that that's where I actually have experience. I worked for consulting firms under a gov't contract. thanks for the tips on how to find the 8A firms. The ones that I worked for are no longer around so none of my old contacts can help me much right now. |
Anonymous
| OP, if you have such a great support network with neighbors and a DH who are willing to watch the kids on what sounds like an ad hoc basis, why not work 9-5 and have this support network step up to the plate? Every mother wants a part-time job that lets them work from home and brings in good money. Also, you mentioned that the environment is your passion, yet you got so wrapped up in your kids that you couldn't volenteer with a cause you love? Can you explain how that happened given your support network, and also what has changed so that someone will want to pay you? I could unerstand falling out of the volenteer loop if your DH was a lousy parent and your neighbors were miserable. That isn't you though, so explain what happened and what changed. What will keep you from "getting so wrapped up" yet again that you are unreliable? Your story just isn't adding up. |
Anonymous
| Ha I was one of the previous negative posters. The poster that said I am a bitter working mom couldn't be more off base. I am just being realistic and not sugar coating it for her. Admittedly I am probably younger than the OP and have never had an office job. That said some of the positive comments seem delusional... |
Anonymous
| Yes, PP they sure did. If these jobs were that easy to come by, we'd all have them. And I still say something is missing between the "wonderful support network" and her inability to volenteer in her passion for four years. Explain that, OP. |
Anonymous
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OP here.
Wow, not that I owe an explanation, but first of all, there is a big difference between occasionally asking a neighbor to help out when I'm in a pinch and asking them to pick up my kids from school everyday and babysit my kindergartener every afternoon while I work full time. Yes, I have gotten out of the volunteer loop. The organization that I was volunteering for has significantly downsized and most of the programs I helped with no longer exist. Obviously, it was more difficult to commit to something when my kids were not in school. I am now free every morning. My oldest is now old enough to babysit for a few hours if I needed to work when they are home. Next year, I will have all my kids in school all day. As I already stated, I spent the last 4 years volunteering with kid-related activities. So lots has changed. Not sure why it offends some of you that a SAHM wants to find part-time work. |
Anonymous
| OP find a company that recruits a good number of college kids, they are likely to have part time work. |
Anonymous
| I don't think the part-time is as big of an issue as expecting to be able to work from home. It is very unlikely that someone would hire you for a traditional (e.g., environmental consulting) position, after you've been out of the workforce for 10 years, and allow telecommuting right away. Why don't you go on to careers.com and search for PT positions using the key word "environmental." |
Anonymous
| I think if OP can find a part time job that is something like calling on behalf of the company, she could negotiate telecommuting. Look for a telemarketing/call placer position or social media monitoring position updating company Facebook, Twitter, etc.... Those could be done from home. |
Anonymous
| OP, why so defensive? It's far easier to plan logestically that I'll be watching your kid every afternoon, then it is for the occational job. Also, your organization isn't the only environmental game in town. Couldn't you have found another one? Also, you do mention having a "very good support network" which will somehow kick itself into high gear for an occational work committment, yet that same network wouldn't help you when you wanted to get involved with a cause you love. Doesn't sound all that supportive if you ask me.. And no, OP, you don't owe any of us any answers, but you did seek out this board of your own volition. Don't be surprised when people ask hard questions. |