mom-and-kidBy Carol Horner

Doing the Right Thing…
Your decision to be a stay-at-home parent is the most important decision you will make on your journey as a parent. You may have thought more about this decision than any other you’ve made.  In fact, it may go down as one of the top 3 toughest decisions you make in your life.  I know - I've made this decision myself!

Look at all of the things you feel like you’re giving up:

… But look at what you gain by staying home:

… And you don’t have to lose the feeling of accomplishment:

No doubt, even though you have quit your out-of-home job, you may still be thinking about re–entering the working world sometime in the future. You should enjoy your time away from the office, but you can still do things while you are “off” to position yourself for your return to the workforce no matter when that might be. Here are some tips.

Brush off your resume:
Even though you are not looking for a job now, keep your resume updated at all times. Keep it in your computer so it is easy to access and change or make additions to as you accomplish things during your time at home. If you are not happy with your resume, consult the many websites or books that give you tips on resume writing. Try different formats so that you are prepared to present something when the right time comes along.

 

Volunteer:
It’s not a paid occupation but you are still occupying yourself. You can make a huge impact on whatever organization you choose to work with. You are sharing your skills, education, experience, personality, patience – sounds like what you did when you were getting paid, right? Here are some ideas of places to volunteer:

 

Speaking of volunteering, choose wisely:
This doesn’t imply that you shouldn’t go into the classroom for the sole purpose of being with your child, or participate in something because you want to mix with friends, after all, you should take advantage of your status and enjoy yourself. However, volunteering is as admissible on your resume as any job experience, so choose your assignments as if you were building your professional experience, after all, you are.

You could also take part in activities of the many non-profit organizations around.

Start a website or blog covering a subject interesting to you or something you have specialized knowledge in.  This creates a positive Google search for you.

Build your network:
Networking is the most powerful way to get that ideal job when you are ready to return to the paying world. It is never too early to begin building a network or to continue building on what you already had while you worked. Anyone you meet can be part of your network. Here are some tips:

Keep your skills alive:

Build new skills:

Work Part-time:
If you really want to work but you don’t want to plunge back into full-time commitment or maybe you need some extra income, work part-time. Part-time and flexible positions are not easy to find but they are more common than ever before due to our changing society. Here are some ideas for finding a part-time, flexible job.

Think about a change:
Your time away from the workforce is the ideal time to think about a career change. Keep an open mind. Think about what you enjoy and what you have to offer. You may make some surprising discoveries about yourself and what is out there for you. Consider all your options:

Here are some tips to help you discover what you might be able to do:

Most of all, keep your spirits high:
This is a time to be happy. Send your family the clear message that you are happy to be home taking care of the nest and of their needs. Parenthood is a power job. You have huge influence over your family in that they are observing you closely and modeling your behavior. When you are feeling good they are feeling safe. When you are unhappy, they are insecure and maybe even resentful. Soon you will find that they will approach their life with the same positivism and enthusiasm that you do yours.

Enjoy your flexibility. Even though your family dictates much of what you do with your time, remember how desperate you were for time when you worked? No doubt, you have more control over how you budget your time as a stay-at-home parent

Volunteering and the "Gap" on your resume

Even though you are unpaid, the work you do as a volunteer is a valid entry in the feared “gap” of your resume. There is no need for a gap if you’ve been keeping yourself busy in and out of the home. Here are some thoughts:

When you participate in a volunteer activity evaluating your role can give you clues on how to present yourself. Give thought to how your participation can become an asset to your professional profile:

If you’ve been fundraising:
How much money did you raise?
Were you the leader of the team?

If you were in the PTA:
Did you hold an office?
Did you make any notable accomplishments?
Did you head a committee?

If you volunteered at church:
Did you teach?
Did you raise money?
Did you head a committee or chair a large event?

If you’ve volunteered at a civic organization:
Did you hold an office?
Did you raise money?
Did you plan something complex or large?
Did you lead a group of people?
Did you plan and/or give presentations?

Make entries on your resume if you’ve:

Sample entries: