Calling all SAHMs looking to re-enter the work force. What are you doing to keep to keep your skills etc up to date?

Er

Er
I'm TTC #1 and am slightly worried about the impact of taking time off work and then being able to find meaningful employment when I go back. In 2010, I took 10 months off work to take care of a sick parent and last year my company closed and I had a 5 month gap on my resume. 
Both times I picked up consulting work (part-time), and this last time I ran for the board of a local business council and took intensive language courses to make the best use of my time. In both cases I found it fairly easy to find full-time work again when I started looking whereas my brother-on-law who quit his job the same month didn't do any of that during his time off and just settled for a new job below his level of qualifications 14 months later. 
So my question to all the SAHMs is what are you doing to keep your foot in the door?
324 views • 0 upvotes • 5 comments

COMMENT (5)

\`

Posted at
I'm not sure when one crosses from maternity leave to SAHM, but I will be sidelined for 6 months to a year and am planning to do some consulting and research during that time so I don't have to tell anyone I took time for kids. I still need to find a post grad training site and they don't all love families.

Je

Posted at
My youngest is 2 and I have one in first grade and one is a sophomore and a junior I 3 years the baby will go to kindergarten and my to oldest will be graduating so I will go back to work but what idk I've been thinking of taking some online courses because 3 years will pass fast and I don't want to be 38 starting a job at entry level because of the gaps in my job history but I'm nervous I haven't been in school in so long shoot I graduated in 1998 I don't even know if I can do fractions anymore but I need to stop over thinking it and take it slowly but I think I'm going to go back to school

Er

Er • Jun 9, 2015
I think it's a good opportunity to think about what you really want to do and then over the next few years you can meet with ppl in that field or volunteer in that area to start to get your foot in the door. There's a great book called "You Majored in What? " that can help you figure things out.

☆A

Posted at
I have been trying to find a job since December of last year. I used to be an administrative assistant for my husband but apparently nobody believes it or something. I keep my typing skills up though. I am thinking of going back to school though I jist haven't figured out what I am going to do yet although I have narrowed it down to 3 things.

:)

Posted at
I'm not a stay at home mom, I'm currently expecting my first, but I've been self employed as a baby sitter/nanny, so when filling out a "real" job application, I will just put "self employed" :)