Keeping Up With Your Skills
Many new moms contemplate the idea of becoming a stay-at-home mom rather than stay in the workplace. Many moms like the idea of staying home, but returning to work once their kids are a little older. Joining the workforce after some time away can be a tough thing to do. You want to make sure you’re keeping up with your skills so you don’t lose them by the time you return or begin looking for a job.
Many new moms contemplate the idea of becoming a stay-at-home mom rather than stay in the workplace. Many moms like the idea of staying home, but returning to work once their kids are a little older. Joining the workforce after some time away can be a tough thing to do. You want to make sure you’re keeping up with your skills so you don’t lose them by the time you return or begin looking for a job.
A few ways to stay involved in the workplace:
Keep up with your skills. Continue to work on your skills while you’re at home as much as possible. Take some online courses, listen to podcasts, continue using your craft so you stay familiar with it.
- Stay in touch with work colleagues. You'll want this for networking, future openings, referrals, etc.
Volunteer. Volunteer as much as you can, and be strategic about it. This is a great thing to put on your resume, so it doesn’t appear as though you’ve done nothing while away from the workforce.
Consider seeking part-time work. Even if you’re working from home part-time, your resume won’t have any gaps and you’ll easily be able to keep up with your skills.
Have a plan. It’s hard to predict just how long you’ll be out of the workforce, but you need a plan for the time in between. Know when you’re going to want to return to work, and make sure you’re prepared when that time comes.
Take some online courses, listen to podcasts, continue using your craft.
It IS possible for a mom to stay at home and continue to network and keep up with her skills. Just use the tips above, and enjoy this time. Let us know if you need help finding some part-time work while at home. This is one of our specialties!
To Stay Or Not To Stay at Home? That is the Question!
The decision to stay at home with your child(ren) is a tough one. So many questions may go through your mind as you are trying to decide. Will I miss working? Will I miss my child? How and in what way will I be able to contribute to my family? It really is a bittersweet time.
The decision to stay at home with your child(ren) is a tough one. So many questions may go through your mind as you are trying to decide. Will I miss working? Will I miss my child? How and in what way will I be able to contribute to my family? It really is a bittersweet time.
No one can make this decision for you because each person and situation are unique. You have to decide what’s most important to you and your family.
Returning to work is a transitional period, and it’s up to you to determine if you want to return to the workforce. Regardless of your decision, you’re able to keep up with your skills set as well as provide for your family. You are already providing emotionally, making dinner, cleaning, finding time to catch up with your friends you haven’t seen in awhile or go on a date with your husband, picking the kids up from school, etc. You may wonder if work is even an option after considering all of these responsibilities. Or maybe you really want to work but are wondering if you will even have the time. You want to stay engaged with your career while also providing for your family.
One thing that most people don’t consider is that part-time employment is an option. This is a great opportunity for people who still want to return to the workforce, but also know that they will want or need equal amounts of time at home.
If you do (or already did) decide to stay at home, stay tuned for our blog posts later this month. We’re sharing some tips on keeping up with your skills while at home and what to add to your resume when it’s time to return to work.