I went back after 8 years. It was okay. My kids had started full time elementary school after a year of virtual so their lives didn’t change that much. I was a teacher before and I am one now so they still have me available during breaks and summer except teacher planning days.

I did have a lengthy discussion with DH before going back that I was not going to do everything I did before and now a full time job. We had many conversations about it. He’s adapted. I start early in the morning so he gets the kids ready and drops them off at before care. At first my oldest didn’t want to go to before care but now they enjoy it.

I never used Google for slides, Google docs, etc before last year but it was quite simple to figure out. Similar enough to Microsoft.

My own mom stayed at home until my high school years and she tutored me in calculus and French.

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.

Hi, i was in the same situation ...it will take about 6 to 8 months to feel settled. Hang in there.

Anonymous wrote:I went back after 6 years at home. I have a STEM PhD so I didn't have too much trouble getting people to take me seriously. However, I noticed that as a former SAHM, I am waaaay better at multi-tasking and project management than my peers that have never SAH. I get sh*t done in about half the time it takes others. I'd also like to reassure the detractors that SAHMs do in fact use email, spreadsheets, and word processing software on a fairly regular basis. Sometimes they even get sophisticated with running large organizations as volunteers.

+1. I get so tired of folks thinking this has to be binary. Hats off you got to do both…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get it OP, and sorry this post turned into a SAHM bashing thread. I never SAH but I spent 4 years in low pressure boring mommy track jobs, and it was a total system shock when I transitioned back to a high pressure, high performing "big" job. Before kids I was a successful consultant in a stressful industry so I thought it would be an easy transition, but it honestly took months to shift my mindset back into "big job" mode! I'm pretty sure my boss had huge regrets about hiring me at first! I'm doing great now but it was definitely a rough bumpy couple of months. Be patient with yourself and understand it may take some time to feel like you have a good handle on things. It's normal so don't beat yourself up!

I’m a SAHM and I do wonder about this! How was the transition for your home life?

Honestly, rough. My DH is very hands on at home but there are suddenly a lot more logistical problems now that I can’t just dip out whenever I want in the middle of the workday. My MIL lives with us for months at a time and she’s a big help. just knowing I don’t have to think of dinner every single night is a huge relief!

It's nice to see a poster here who is appreciative of her MIL.

I went back after 6 years at home. I have a STEM PhD so I didn't have too much trouble getting people to take me seriously. However, I noticed that as a former SAHM, I am waaaay better at multi-tasking and project management than my peers that have never SAH. I get sh*t done in about half the time it takes others. I'd also like to reassure the detractors that SAHMs do in fact use email, spreadsheets, and word processing software on a fairly regular basis. Sometimes they even get sophisticated with running large organizations as volunteers.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

So you have never worked or something?

I mean my kids homework is done with Google classroom, my Girl Scouts coordinate in Google Drive, and we use email and calendaring for all sorts of family and friend “work processes”

I think the only thing really different is that you are now accountable to some one; before with the kids you answered to no one but now you have a boss, clients etc?

LOL, corporations don't use Google.

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.

Yeah. Troll alert.

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.

I feel bad for your mom. If she has other kids, I hope they aren't as cruel.

BTW - I don't know a single SAHM who doesn't know how to use Microsoft basics or is out of touch with the world. Dang!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally get it OP, and sorry this post turned into a SAHM bashing thread. I never SAH but I spent 4 years in low pressure boring mommy track jobs, and it was a total system shock when I transitioned back to a high pressure, high performing "big" job. Before kids I was a successful consultant in a stressful industry so I thought it would be an easy transition, but it honestly took months to shift my mindset back into "big job" mode! I'm pretty sure my boss had huge regrets about hiring me at first! I'm doing great now but it was definitely a rough bumpy couple of months. Be patient with yourself and understand it may take some time to feel like you have a good handle on things. It's normal so don't beat yourself up!

I’m a SAHM and I do wonder about this! How was the transition for your home life?

Honestly, rough. My DH is very hands on at home but there are suddenly a lot more logistical problems now that I can’t just dip out whenever I want in the middle of the workday. My MIL lives with us for months at a time and she’s a big help. just knowing I don’t have to think of dinner every single night is a huge relief!

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.

I bet your poor mother adores how you look down your nose at her.
I've been at home for 7 years. Way longer than I expected. I'm confident my tech skills and ability to navigate socially would be fine based on how we all use technology in our lives today. That said, and I hate to concede anything after reading your post, I'm pretty sure my stamina wouldn't come back to my previous working mom levels. I used to work hard all day at work, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do that now.

Personally I think I have the same stamina but I have a better perspective now and realize that every work "emergency" isn't a real emergency. There is work that actually needs to get done. There is work that has to be done ASAP because someone else made a mistake. There is work that has to be done to make someone else look good. I'll do it all but I do need to sleep, eat, and take care of non-work obligations too.

Anonymous wrote:I've gone back to work fulltime after being a SAHM for many years and I agree with the OP - it was bewildering at first. Google Docs made my head hurt - people all changing the same document, sharing and all of that. But it has been a year, I'm pretty senior in an NGO, fortunately working from home so its not such a shock with getting up and out the door, and I have to say I like it. Nice to get positive feedback from adults.

I've been using Google docs for a long, long time and I think they make everyone's head hurt when they first use them.

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.

You are an idiot. And that’s being generous.

She has a point. We all need to look up to our parents. My guess is this OR's mom really didn't do very much and had very little adaptability. That last character trait is what prevents atrophy.

Oh, please. The OP is clearly a troll who made up the ridiculous tale of her mother to complement the ridiculous OP.