Anyone go from SAHM to retirement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. It’s embarassing that you’re spending this much time yelling about how ther people should define themselves. If you call people who have never worked retired you’re interesting!

Fine, Sweetie - You can call yourself a Dog Walker even is you have no dog to walk or a Street Sweeper without a broom or a street. You win.

Or I can call myself retired since I quit work and can live off of my own investments earned via my career and not off of my husbands income.

Now pick up that dog poop while you sweep that street.

Yes, Sweetie, calm down - you can call yourself whatever you want. You are a good girl!

The irony of the working woman on a thread that is in no way about her using reductive language to address other women isn’t lost on you- right? You dont watch your own kids and you arent retired so forgive me for questioning your “expert” opinion.

I am currently a SAHM but still earn money through my investments and residuals from my previous career. However when my children leave my home for college, I will be retired from being a SAHM.

Honestly, I have no clue what bee flew up your butt this morning, PP. This is an OPINION SITE and I gave clearly (and repeatedly to you) given my opinion.

Here is a further opinion: YOU ARE DEEPLY TROUBLED, PP.

You seem confused- you introduce yourself as a retired stay a Home Mom- I can’t wait to get that at a dinner party!

STOP! For God's sake, PP, you are unhinged! NP here and you are arguing nothing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 53, my youngest is 15 years old. 3 more years at home before he's off to college. I keep batting around returning to work but it's been nearly 18 years for me...yikes.

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate.

If these moms didn’t need income at 54 they probably dont at 56- so lucky them to be able to look for something with low stress that they enjoy.

No beef with that but portraying it as debating whether to return to work in any meaningful way is just silly. And I think the point is the pickings at that age with no job experience aren’t likely to be all that fun.

Here's the debate....I am still the same person who earned regular promotions when I did work. My work ethic has not changed and I actually do like to work. Obviously, I haven't worked for a long time so going back to school to brush up on some job training would be helpful. But if I'm planning on working for only 5 or so years, it doesn't make a great deal of sense to sink money into job training for me. I would much rather that money go into my kids' college funds TBH.

I suppose I could commit myself to working at least 10 years and then the pros of job training at my age start to look a little better to me but I'm still looking at sinking time and money into my training - which would also delay the start of my 10 year stretch of employment. Then I have to look at the pay I would get minus the cost of training to figure out whether or not it makes more sense to just go for an entry level office position (hard to find) or a service industry job. I've done both types of work before so at least I know what those jobs are like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate

This resonates with me. I was enthusiastic to return to a professional job after SAHM but couldn't find anything that would make our life better. I was willing to start-again at the bottom of the pay scale but two weeks off a year? I'm not signing up for that. I now have elderly parents who, though I'm not responsible for day-to-day, I do want to travel and see. My DH, a fed, now has 5 weeks of vacation so I wouldn't be able to vacation with him. Our vacations are very modest, but still ... Fast forward, he has now retired and parents have passed, so, am I going to choose now to return to work? Again, it's about time off not salary. If I could get 4 weeks off a year I'd do it.

These are extremely good points.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 53, my youngest is 15 years old. 3 more years at home before he's off to college. I keep batting around returning to work but it's been nearly 18 years for me...yikes.

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate.

If these moms didn’t need income at 54 they probably dont at 56- so lucky them to be able to look for something with low stress that they enjoy.

No beef with that but portraying it as debating whether to return to work in any meaningful way is just silly. And I think the point is the pickings at that age with no job experience aren’t likely to be all that fun.

Here's the debate....I am still the same person who earned regular promotions when I did work. My work ethic has not changed and I actually do like to work. Obviously, I haven't worked for a long time so going back to school to brush up on some job training would be helpful. But if I'm planning on working for only 5 or so years, it doesn't make a great deal of sense to sink money into job training for me. I would much rather that money go into my kids' college funds TBH.

I suppose I could commit myself to working at least 10 years and then the pros of job training at my age start to look a little better to me but I'm still looking at sinking time and money into my training - which would also delay the start of my 10 year stretch of employment. Then I have to look at the pay I would get minus the cost of training to figure out whether or not it makes more sense to just go for an entry level office position (hard to find) or a service industry job. I've done both types of work before so at least I know what those jobs are like.

Except you are still operating with the premise that you are likely to get hired you in your mid to late 50s. No employer cares if you have a good work ethic from 20 years ago and new job training at that age. Your debate with yourself makes no sense.

You don’t need any job training to go get a service job or some low level office job.

[Anonymous]

My mother went back and got an additional degree once we were in college and then never worked again or used it. Because of what other posters said. You’re starting at the bottom and there is zero flexibility or leave. (And that’s assuming anyone wants to hire an entry-level employee close to 60 year old. It’s wrong but employers are age-ist.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate

This resonates with me. I was enthusiastic to return to a professional job after SAHM but couldn't find anything that would make our life better. I was willing to start-again at the bottom of the pay scale but two weeks off a year? I'm not signing up for that. I now have elderly parents who, though I'm not responsible for day-to-day, I do want to travel and see. My DH, a fed, now has 5 weeks of vacation so I wouldn't be able to vacation with him. Our vacations are very modest, but still ... Fast forward, he has now retired and parents have passed, so, am I going to choose now to return to work? Again, it's about time off not salary. If I could get 4 weeks off a year I'd do it.

These are extremely good points.

You'd easily have 4 weeks off a year if you'd stayed in the workforce and built seniority.

[Anonymous]

^ you should not be contributing. You are not contributing to this discussion in any meaningful way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 53, my youngest is 15 years old. 3 more years at home before he's off to college. I keep batting around returning to work but it's been nearly 18 years for me...yikes.

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate.

If these moms didn’t need income at 54 they probably dont at 56- so lucky them to be able to look for something with low stress that they enjoy.

No beef with that but portraying it as debating whether to return to work in any meaningful way is just silly. And I think the point is the pickings at that age with no job experience aren’t likely to be all that fun.

Here's the debate....I am still the same person who earned regular promotions when I did work. My work ethic has not changed and I actually do like to work. Obviously, I haven't worked for a long time so going back to school to brush up on some job training would be helpful. But if I'm planning on working for only 5 or so years, it doesn't make a great deal of sense to sink money into job training for me. I would much rather that money go into my kids' college funds TBH.

I suppose I could commit myself to working at least 10 years and then the pros of job training at my age start to look a little better to me but I'm still looking at sinking time and money into my training - which would also delay the start of my 10 year stretch of employment. Then I have to look at the pay I would get minus the cost of training to figure out whether or not it makes more sense to just go for an entry level office position (hard to find) or a service industry job. I've done both types of work before so at least I know what those jobs are like.

Except you are still operating with the premise that you are likely to get hired you in your mid to late 50s. No employer cares if you have a good work ethic from 20 years ago and new job training at that age. Your debate with yourself makes no sense.

You don’t need any job training to go get a service job or some low level office job.

It depends on the job. Some jobs actually are a better fit for older people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate

This resonates with me. I was enthusiastic to return to a professional job after SAHM but couldn't find anything that would make our life better. I was willing to start-again at the bottom of the pay scale but two weeks off a year? I'm not signing up for that. I now have elderly parents who, though I'm not responsible for day-to-day, I do want to travel and see. My DH, a fed, now has 5 weeks of vacation so I wouldn't be able to vacation with him. Our vacations are very modest, but still ... Fast forward, he has now retired and parents have passed, so, am I going to choose now to return to work? Again, it's about time off not salary. If I could get 4 weeks off a year I'd do it.

These are extremely good points.

You'd easily have 4 weeks off a year if you'd stayed in the workforce and built seniority.

I know! I had that when I left the workforce nearly 20 years ago. I remember all too well what it was like to be the low level office newbie, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate

This resonates with me. I was enthusiastic to return to a professional job after SAHM but couldn't find anything that would make our life better. I was willing to start-again at the bottom of the pay scale but two weeks off a year? I'm not signing up for that. I now have elderly parents who, though I'm not responsible for day-to-day, I do want to travel and see. My DH, a fed, now has 5 weeks of vacation so I wouldn't be able to vacation with him. Our vacations are very modest, but still ... Fast forward, he has now retired and parents have passed, so, am I going to choose now to return to work? Again, it's about time off not salary. If I could get 4 weeks off a year I'd do it.

These are extremely good points.

You'd easily have 4 weeks off a year if you'd stayed in the workforce and built seniority.

I left with 5 vacation weeks a year but have had 52 weeks a year in which I can travel for 12 years now- don’t worry about me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 53, my youngest is 15 years old. 3 more years at home before he's off to college. I keep batting around returning to work but it's been nearly 18 years for me...yikes.

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate.

If these moms didn’t need income at 54 they probably dont at 56- so lucky them to be able to look for something with low stress that they enjoy.

No beef with that but portraying it as debating whether to return to work in any meaningful way is just silly. And I think the point is the pickings at that age with no job experience aren’t likely to be all that fun.

Here's the debate....I am still the same person who earned regular promotions when I did work. My work ethic has not changed and I actually do like to work. Obviously, I haven't worked for a long time so going back to school to brush up on some job training would be helpful. But if I'm planning on working for only 5 or so years, it doesn't make a great deal of sense to sink money into job training for me. I would much rather that money go into my kids' college funds TBH.

I suppose I could commit myself to working at least 10 years and then the pros of job training at my age start to look a little better to me but I'm still looking at sinking time and money into my training - which would also delay the start of my 10 year stretch of employment. Then I have to look at the pay I would get minus the cost of training to figure out whether or not it makes more sense to just go for an entry level office position (hard to find) or a service industry job. I've done both types of work before so at least I know what those jobs are like.

Except you are still operating with the premise that you are likely to get hired you in your mid to late 50s. No employer cares if you have a good work ethic from 20 years ago and new job training at that age. Your debate with yourself makes no sense.

You don’t need any job training to go get a service job or some low level office job.

It depends on the job. Some jobs actually are a better fit for older people.

What skilled jobs are a better fit for 60 year olds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate

This resonates with me. I was enthusiastic to return to a professional job after SAHM but couldn't find anything that would make our life better. I was willing to start-again at the bottom of the pay scale but two weeks off a year? I'm not signing up for that. I now have elderly parents who, though I'm not responsible for day-to-day, I do want to travel and see. My DH, a fed, now has 5 weeks of vacation so I wouldn't be able to vacation with him. Our vacations are very modest, but still ... Fast forward, he has now retired and parents have passed, so, am I going to choose now to return to work? Again, it's about time off not salary. If I could get 4 weeks off a year I'd do it.

These are extremely good points.

I agree. I have a good friend in this position. Her only child is 16, and she is thinking about returning to work as a nurse, but she wouldn't have any flexibility in her schedule. Her husband is a big deal at our hospital, so they don't need money, and he is only able to use his vacation time sporadically. There is no guarantee she would be able to take off when he is off. Also, her sister died recently, and she was able to take a month to travel and help her pass on. She is also able to travel and help out her neice. And I think ultimately that she is much more valuable to the people she loves by being at home and flexible than she would be going back to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 53, my youngest is 15 years old. 3 more years at home before he's off to college. I keep batting around returning to work but it's been nearly 18 years for me...yikes.

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate.

If these moms didn’t need income at 54 they probably dont at 56- so lucky them to be able to look for something with low stress that they enjoy.

No beef with that but portraying it as debating whether to return to work in any meaningful way is just silly. And I think the point is the pickings at that age with no job experience aren’t likely to be all that fun.

Here's the debate....I am still the same person who earned regular promotions when I did work. My work ethic has not changed and I actually do like to work. Obviously, I haven't worked for a long time so going back to school to brush up on some job training would be helpful. But if I'm planning on working for only 5 or so years, it doesn't make a great deal of sense to sink money into job training for me. I would much rather that money go into my kids' college funds TBH.

I suppose I could commit myself to working at least 10 years and then the pros of job training at my age start to look a little better to me but I'm still looking at sinking time and money into my training - which would also delay the start of my 10 year stretch of employment. Then I have to look at the pay I would get minus the cost of training to figure out whether or not it makes more sense to just go for an entry level office position (hard to find) or a service industry job. I've done both types of work before so at least I know what those jobs are like.

Except you are still operating with the premise that you are likely to get hired you in your mid to late 50s. No employer cares if you have a good work ethic from 20 years ago and new job training at that age. Your debate with yourself makes no sense.

You don’t need any job training to go get a service job or some low level office job.

It depends on the job. Some jobs actually are a better fit for older people.

What skilled jobs are a better fit for 60 year olds?

It may not be fair but I think that, in general, things like real estate, financial planning, senior care consultant, insurance agent are better suited to more mature people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The op is being disingenuous.

What? Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If I go back sometime between now and when we have an empty nest when I'm 56, I have to really think about the value in returning to work. At 56 I won't exactly be looking to start a new career. It would be strictly for the added income and it wouldn't be for that long, maybe 5 years? I've never approached working with quite that view before so the answer as to whether to go back or not isn't that obvious to me. Still debating....

At 56, reality check...no one is hiring you unless you want a service job or some other low-level part-time job that the employer finds difficult to fill. So not much to debate

This resonates with me. I was enthusiastic to return to a professional job after SAHM but couldn't find anything that would make our life better. I was willing to start-again at the bottom of the pay scale but two weeks off a year? I'm not signing up for that. I now have elderly parents who, though I'm not responsible for day-to-day, I do want to travel and see. My DH, a fed, now has 5 weeks of vacation so I wouldn't be able to vacation with him. Our vacations are very modest, but still ... Fast forward, he has now retired and parents have passed, so, am I going to choose now to return to work? Again, it's about time off not salary. If I could get 4 weeks off a year I'd do it.

I’m confused. Were you under the impression that entry level workers get more paid time off?