Homebodies In The Workforce
By Cheryl Gochnauer
A few months ago, the Census Bureau came out with a welcome reportannouncing that, for the first time since the mid-70's, more new motherswere staying home with their babies than were going back into theworkforce. Some mothers return to their cubicles after the first year. Many grab their Daytimers as kids reach preschool age, and a flood ofmothers head back to their desks once their children start kindergarten. Others hold out until their toddlers become teens, and beyond.
So how do you know when it's time for you to go back to work outside thehome? If you're content to be a full-time homemaker, the answer may be"never". But the biggest slice of the statistical pie does plan on somedayrejoining the traditional workforce.
Recently, I took a position at my daughters' school, after almost eightyears as an at-home parent. Back in 1994, when I first came home, Karen andCarrie were ages 6 and 2, and I was sure I'd go back to work when myyoungest started school. But by the time she was a kindergartner, I waswell-versed in managing our limited budget. It seemed silly to go back towork outside the home just because the calendar said so, and so I settled infor the long haul.
It took a combination of two sets of braces and the desire to send my girlsto private school to get me thinking seriously about going back to work. Istarted networking among friends, looking for a family-friendly job thatwould allow me to earn the money we needed without compromising mycommitment to be readily available to my children. When the position poppedup at the private school of our dreams, I recognized it for what it was - atailor-made opportunity for me and my family.
Granted, not all of us will have the chance to work a job with our babies inthe building. But after spending time as a stay-at-home mom - especially ifyou've done it for several years - it's important to be choosy about how andwhere you'll ease back into the workforce.
Wait for the right job, one that won't make you feel like you're undoing allthe good you've done during your timeout. As you interview, noteprospective employers' flexibility and rank their family-friendliness. Resist pursuing high-pressure positions that tax workers' spirits and leaveno energy for after-work fun. Resolve to limit debt so that you have theoption of returning home, should you decide to.
We go through different seasons in our lives. I loved my stay-at-homeseason, and now I'm enjoying transitioning back into the workforce, with myhusband and daughters cheering me on. Wherever you find yourself in thespectrum, whether turning in your keys or picking them up again, carefullyweigh each work-style decision. When you hit the combination that benefitsboth you and your family at this point in time, go for it!
(Wondering if Cheryl's Homebodies ministry will go on, now that she's headedback to work? Of course it will! You can continue to enjoy her encouragingmessages for at-home parents via this column and her website at
www.homebodies.org
. Contact her with questions and comments at
Cheryl@homebodies.org
. Copyright 2002 Homebodies.Org, LLC. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com)
