Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't work in anything close to OP's field, but we're hiring now, and I guarantee we'd hire a SAHM if in her previous work experience she had the right skills.

in which field?

public policy research

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to hear shit about staying home so as not to miss those precious, precious moments with your special, special snowflake.

Do you have children yourself? You sound really sad and bitter.

I had the same reaction. What is wrong with this person? I did take a few years off. I don't consider DC so very extra special, but I certainly valued the time and the chance to experience things I wouldn't have otherwise.

And OP, I re-entered the workforce by taking a slightly less senior position (but with the same salary) that I had when I left. Got a raise inside of a year because my skills, as it turns out, were not diminished by a few years away.

I was a little burned out when I left. When I returned, I had a lot of pent-up drive that I applied to the profit of my new company. It has been recognized and rewarded by management. As for those few colleagues who resent the intrusion of a SAHM who dared to prioritize something more than work, they can kiss my ass. I'm doing rings around them.

"Who would hire a SAHM these days?"
"These days" opposed to what days?

SAHM's that decide to go back to work for whatever reason, be it the need for better financial security or for mental stimulation will get hired eventually. It does take time. Similar to when you graduated from college, if you did. When you have taken time off from a "traditional" job to do whatever, take care of your family or travel, it's not necessarily a bad thing- it's not like you were away for 7 years because you were in jail. Some of these posts treat SAHM's like they have leprosy.

I personally wouldn't want to work for a corporation that didn't have family values. Look at Fortune's 100 Best places to work. I agree employers don't want an employee that is going to take advantage of them by taking too much time off, but why is a SAHM automatically guilty and looked down like a person that doesn't work hard? Granted there are some SAHM's that drink coffee and go do yoga with their friends. Not all SAHM's are created equal.

Any SAHM who is considering re-entry back into receiving a paycheck for their hard work should go to this site: http://irelaunch.org/ What a breath of fresh air!

SAHM's should stay strong on their values and the "why" they became SAHM - I know women that didn't have that option to be SAHM's. They would have liked to have stayed at home but couldn't because the spouse died without life insurance. She had to raise 3 kids on her own.

Today women have options. Not too long ago, women didn't have many options. Watch Mad Men if you want to see how women used to be treated. It's no joke. I think that is why some women are venomous to the SAHM's. It's like we are dragging them back to old ways.

I agree with the people that have touted the networking angle. When you go out into the jungle of the work world, don't settle. No stay at home mom who re-enters the workforce is going to have a hard time finding a job. What is a bit hard is finding a company that is the right fit for your values. Just remember that. Remember who you are. Kudos to the women who are self-employed.

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to hear shit about staying home so as not to miss those precious, precious moments with your special, special snowflake.

Do you have children yourself? You sound really sad and bitter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if the person decided to take a break to travel? Would the approach be the same?

Most people don't take several years off to travel.

How does this answer my question?

DH has a couple friend who just took a year off of work to travel the world and TTC in the process. We're so happy for them. (They didn't tell the TTC part to anybody but us, not even their parents) but she was kind of scared about the impact on their careers. The husband said SCREW IT, WE'VE WORKED HARD ENOUGH FOR TOO LONG TIME TO RELAX and I told her that she'll have a lot to think of if they indeed get pregnant in the process... They're on month 3 and just finishing Europe. Next step is a cruise in Greece and they're heading to Asia. Their FB pics are breathtaking!

Hopefully they will still have a LOT in savings before the baby arrives...

To answer other posters, no, someone taking 1+ years off to travel is huge red flag. It would possibly indicate that they are young and already burnt out or hate their current life and not as committed or responsible as other people. College students travel the world for years on end, not adults. And I say this having met many older adults traveling the world (I was working and traveling) - most seemed extremely lost. Different story for people who took job opportunities to see the world.

Anonymous wrote:I don't work in anything close to OP's field, but we're hiring now, and I guarantee we'd hire a SAHM if in her previous work experience she had the right skills.

in which field?

I don't work in anything close to OP's field, but we're hiring now, and I guarantee we'd hire a SAHM if in her previous work experience she had the right skills.

Anonymous wrote:I am a SAHM mom. Super Qualified in Child Care and Nutrition. HOWEVER, I decided to start my own business. I am a Mary Kay consultant and I work less than 10 hours a week. LOVE that I still get to stay home. LOVE that I have time for me. LOVE making women feel as beautiful as they truly are. Guess that comes from the nurturing side of being a mom. ALSO, all the people giving flack for being a SAHM. Just give CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE. No more rudeness. There is enough hate in this world to be passed around. How about some love.....

You lost me at Mary Kay.

Anonymous wrote:What if the person decided to take a break to travel? Would the approach be the same?

just to travel?

for fun?

Then I'd think she didn't need the job/money, and I'd wonder if the "spirit" would move her again - literally move her to distant lands!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if the person decided to take a break to travel? Would the approach be the same?

Most people don't take several years off to travel.

Agree, but if they did, in my opinion, yes, the approach is the same. You prioritized something else over work. NOT THAT THAT IS BAD - I genuinely believe it's a personal choice. That said, many employers will view the situation that way. It can look like a reluctance to take on the commitment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if the person decided to take a break to travel? Would the approach be the same?

Most people don't take several years off to travel.

How does this answer my question?

DH has a couple friend who just took a year off of work to travel the world and TTC in the process. We're so happy for them. (They didn't tell the TTC part to anybody but us, not even their parents) but she was kind of scared about the impact on their careers. The husband said SCREW IT, WE'VE WORKED HARD ENOUGH FOR TOO LONG TIME TO RELAX and I told her that she'll have a lot to think of if they indeed get pregnant in the process... They're on month 3 and just finishing Europe. Next step is a cruise in Greece and they're heading to Asia. Their FB pics are breathtaking!

Anonymous wrote:What if the person decided to take a break to travel? Would the approach be the same?

Most people don't take several years off to travel.

I am a SAHM mom. Super Qualified in Child Care and Nutrition. HOWEVER, I decided to start my own business. I am a Mary Kay consultant and I work less than 10 hours a week. LOVE that I still get to stay home. LOVE that I have time for me. LOVE making women feel as beautiful as they truly are. Guess that comes from the nurturing side of being a mom. ALSO, all the people giving flack for being a SAHM. Just give CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE. No more rudeness. There is enough hate in this world to be passed around. How about some love.....