How do SAHM's return to work after a long break?

[loveroflife]

I'm a SAHM to DS (2) and am now pregnant with no.2. I gave up my job in advertising after work 'made it somewhat complicated' for me to return after mat leave. My job was no longer available, but another one was miles away in a different office and not compatible with pick up/drop off times from nursery and not profitable after childcare costs and lengthy commuting.

I agreed to take redundancy and in hindsight was really forced out, but loved being at home with ds so wasn't too bothered as felt I had done a good decade of the rat race and had given everything to my career.

DH is happy for me to be at home - we have a small flat, one car and cut back on most things to manage on one salary. It's tight but we're surviving.

However, as I am now pregnant again I don't plan on returning back to the work place for another couple of years and am concerned about a 4 year gap on my CV. Will I ever be able to get another job that was similar to my previous one having had so much 'time out'? How does one explain such a large gap on their CV? There are no jobs in my industry part time and childcare is so very expensive, I feel that is just isn't worth it, but am worried about the long term implications of SAH?

Has anyone else had a similar experiences? I feel a little selfish not contributing and wanting to stay at home, but then I would hate to miss out on my DC's early years. My friend said today that I shouldn't waste my time at university, the blood, sweat and tears working my way up the corporate ladder etc and it will be difficult to get my career back.

Fellowship that cannot be helping then! Weird how localised it is, just cut through town to the library and saw 6 ads in store windows without really looking for them...

ewaczarlie that is a very good point. Much as it stems from prejudices against women of childbearing age, at least a parent is only likely to require a bit of flex here and there rather than be trained up and disappear for 12 months. For goodness sake don't ever mention that at interview though (as an interviewer or interviewee!)

startail what credits do you mean? Do you mean the ones that come with recieving CB?

Goodness this is timely.
I've been freelancing for ever some years now and had an interview last week for a local full-time job. But they were cagey about the salary, and now they've let me know what it is I can see why. It's roughly what I earn freelance by working school-time and some evenings, and it's definitely a lower skill level than what I do now, let alone what I used to do pre-kids.

So: do I take the job anyway (if they offer it)
-- at a loss of net income as we'll need more childcare
-- to do something I may not shine at (because it doesn't need my skill set)
-- without my current flexibility
-- at the loss of my freelance contacts

in order to get out of the house and gamble on future prospects being brighter that way? Or would a future employer then look at my CV, spot this as the last job and pigeonhole me as that?

Spring* This sort of thing should be covered in a leaflet handed out when you first see a midwife/GP to notify your pregnancy

This sort of thing should be handed out at school, before you even consider starting a family!

[For context: future prospects are Not Shiny in my freelance role, but not at all guaranteed in this one either!]

I'd say that training, voluntary work and networking were the key things for me in returning to work after a long break as a sahm. I was at home for 15 years, until the youngest started secondary, but I was still young when I went back, as I'd started my family young. I had plenty of job offers before that, mostly through contacts and friends, but financially we didn't need me to return to work and I enjoyed my time doing p/t study and getting experience as a volunteer.

I never hid the fact that I'd taken a career break, but many of the contacts I'd made were other mums or friends I'd met through socialising, so they knew my circumstances anyway. It's a much more relaxed way of seeking work too - no silly person specs or CVs, I've just been contacted because my friends know I'm bright and capable and they needed someone to fill a role.

I went back to work on a slightly higher salary (but not really much higher as it was 15 years later!) but quickly got promoted within 5 years and now I'm at the same or higher salary than many of my contemporaries who continued to wohm for fear of falling off the career ladder. As they didn't start their families until later they were restricted with childcare issues while I was free to focus on work since my own dc were teens by that time.

If I were you I would do something that demonstrates a commitment to personal/professional development, whilst you SAHM. Whether that is freelance work, volunteering, training or whatever. And keep in touch with your professional friends.

In my job you are only as good as your last project. Freelancing in between having my 3 has just about kept my professional rep alive (just as well as DH was made redundant last year, we now both work part time, which is ace)

I did bits of freelance working from home and lots of voluntary (in my field as well as the PTA stuff) when my 3 DCs were very and I now work PT. I have a good work/life balance but earn less than I did when I was 25 (13 years ago) and am at a lot lower level. I do see a lot of the children though.

The question for me is do you want that old career back? Would be compatible with having children or do you really want to work part time and get a better work/life balance? You don't sound convinced OP and it sounds more like you think you ought to because that is what you do and you have worked on creating a career. It doesn't mean that you have to do it again if it isn't what you want out of life any more.

I didn't want my old career back so it was never an issue for me but I have spent the last 12 years studying, doing voluntary work and starting a very small business which has been a steep learning curve. Basically have something to show for your time other than looking after your children, even if it is running the local toddler group one day a week - it still requires organisational skills, people skills etc so no harm in putting it on your CV.

As most have said, you don't have to explain any gap on your CV - there isn't one. Life does extend outside of work and you were doing something very worthwhile. I would also disagree with your friend and her comment about wasting your education - your children are benefitting from it and even if it doesn't pay you, it is still worthwhile. There is more to life than the corporate ladder!

The other possibility that has worked for me and several friends is to work for/with our husbands. I have just gone back to doing the work I did 12 years ago because DH knows I haven't had a lobotomy and am perfectly capable of doing the work even if I haven't done it for ages. Other friends are helping with the admin side of their DH's business. If I wanted to go back to my old line of work I have no doubt that it would be worthwhile stepping stone. He has a professional practice with other staff so there is some kudos working for him. He isn't a handyman or similar who just wants me to do his VAT return once a quarter - it is a real job.

My friend said today that I shouldn't waste my time at university, the blood, sweat and tears working my way up the corporate ladder etc and it will be difficult to get my career back.

You won't be wasting the time you spent at university (says the woman with a PhD who is more or less SAHMing for a few years). First off, this is only a few years out of your life. Secondly, even if it wasn't, education is just inherently a wonderful thing. Not everything has to be about pounds, shillings and pence.

Thanks so much for all the helpful suggestions. I think for now I am going to start volunteering - I could maybe do the marketing/publicity for some of the toddler groups that don't do so well where I live and are always a bit empty.

Almost, rebrand them and do a little campaign to relaunch them again - I'm sure they would be delighted. Then if that goes well I could approch some charities and do the same for them - this can all add to my portfolio as a freelancer of course.....

Good luck to everyone else and the forthcoming decisions that will be made...

Volunteering and networking has got me further than traditional job hunting.