Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Back to work after 20 years as sahm! At 53. Really bloody thrilled.

64 replies

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 30/04/2018 09:10

I hope this gives people hope! Been thinking about returning to work over the last few years, but the timing hasn’t been quite right. I want to work in admin and particularly the NHS and more particularly within a hospital. So for the past 6 months I’ve been volunteering in an admin post just one day a week, to get up-to-date office skills.

I applied for 12 jobs, had 4 interviews and was offered the job I last interviewed for. So age wasn’t an issue or being at home for so long, to getting to interview stage.

So so chuffed. Can’t wait to start. It’s full time.

I loved my first chunk of working life before the kids. I loved the long time I had at home. Now I know I will love this next stage of working until retirement.

I hope that’s given hope to those looking.

OP posts:
NancyJoan · 30/04/2018 12:01

Well done! I went back after 12 years at home. Different field, crappy pay, but I work with a brilliant team and love it.

ohh · 30/04/2018 12:02

Brilliant news ThroughThickAndThin01 .

You brightened my day too.

I'm currently a SAHM looking into going back to work as well, and was very nervous to am I doing the right thing.

My DH works long hours over 1 hr 30 min away, so have always considered myself like a single mum!

Now my youngest will be starting secondary school, and my oldest currently in year 10. I feel the time will be right in September.

My old job I'm qualified in and previously had 7 years experience in. So I am hoping to go back to that relatively easily. I cannot volunteer in that job though.

Confidence is ok for me its just the nagging feeling "what if the children need me or sick"

Thanks again for such an uplifting message.

Flowers
littlecabbage · 30/04/2018 12:03

I became a SAHM last year, and am enjoying it, but know that I want to re-enter the workplace once my youngest child is at school. So thank you for your positive, inspirational thread. And well done - enjoy your new position!

lostinlego · 30/04/2018 12:04

Those of you who got volunteering positions, where did you look for them as I too have been at home for nearly 16 years and could do with getting some current experience.
Congratulations on the job as well!

Original poster
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 30/04/2018 12:30

lostinlego I knew I wanted an Administration job in a hospital or similar public sector, so I volunteered as an administrator in a related field. Only one day a week but there is enough work there for fulltime. They have been very grateful for helping them out.

I think I’d look on organisations websites, and if I was doing it again I’d look at something like our local police force which are advertising for administrators for their investigation unit. How interesting.

So I’d think about what paid job I’d like to do, and volunteer in a corresponding role for 6 months or so and then start applying for jobs once I had got that experience under my belt.

OP posts:
strawberryalarmclock · 30/04/2018 12:43

I had 10 years at home with my dc and did the same! I was lacking confidence and so tentatively approached my dcs school and asked if they needed any voluntary help (I didn't mention I was a qualified nursery nurse) They soon twigged and to cut a long story short, I've been working in their foundation department for many years now. My own dc are long gone, it's now very much my school rather than theirs!
Good luck op, enjoy your return to the workplace!

Susimoo · 30/04/2018 12:44

Congratulations 🍾🥂💐

Your thread has made my day! There is hope for me then 😁
I have just starting in a volunteering position and I hope it will lead to study and a full time roll in a new career. I'm glad it has been so successful for you.

Enjoy every minute of your new employed status. 😃

flimflaminurjams · 30/04/2018 12:47

Hey nice one @ThroughThickAndThin01
What a lovely story for a Monday!

Good luck on your new job you Star

Lilifer · 08/04/2022 11:35

@ThroughThickAndThin01

I hope this gives people hope! Been thinking about returning to work over the last few years, but the timing hasn’t been quite right. I want to work in admin and particularly the NHS and more particularly within a hospital. So for the past 6 months I’ve been volunteering in an admin post just one day a week, to get up-to-date office skills.

I applied for 12 jobs, had 4 interviews and was offered the job I last interviewed for. So age wasn’t an issue or being at home for so long, to getting to interview stage.

So so chuffed. Can’t wait to start. It’s full time.

I loved my first chunk of working life before the kids. I loved the long time I had at home. Now I know I will love this next stage of working until retirement.

I hope that’s given hope to those looking.

Hi there Sorry for the late reply (!) I searched for a Mumsnet post on returning to work after long time as SAHM and found this . I'm 52, 15 years as SAHM and have been offered a full time job in civil service! I only wanted to get a part time job but there were none advertised so I went for this one and my hope is that once I've been in there for a year or two I can drop down to part time. I still have 3 teenage boys at home in school still so I'm kind of please about the job but also terrified as to how I will manage (divorced so do most of the kids stuff on my own) just terrier of the the logistics of trying to manage everything on the home front as well as be at an office 9-5 min to fit (it's office based for the first 3-6 months and I am hoping I can ask for work from home part of the time once training done) I really want to work again though and felt I could not turn it down as civil service is a great opportunity.
Sloth66 · 08/05/2022 09:04

Just seen this, hope it’s all going well for you

Tdcp · 08/05/2022 09:07

Congratulations op! I've just started work last week after years as a sahm and in an abusive relationship. It's the best thing I've done, I love my job! Take care and enjoy yourself in your next chapter!

Tdcp · 08/05/2022 09:08

Apologies I didn't realise this was from 2018 😅

Cleanbedlinen12 · 09/05/2022 07:05

Aww, I was all excited. And it’s 2018! I was just about to post that I’m 58, been a far too long sahm due to illnesses etc and desperate to return to work. This is very reassuring as I was beginning to think I would just be too old. I shall find a volunteer role asap.,
if anyone else has tIPs?

Solosunrise · 09/05/2022 07:13

@Lilifer and @Cleanbedlinen12 best to start your own threads as people generally don't post on old threads.

@ThroughThickAndThin01 if you're still on MN would love to know how you got on!

Original poster
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 09/05/2022 07:59

I have no recollection of starting this thread so it’s making an interesting read Grin

I’m still working there and still loving it! I have dropped to 4 days a week.

(there is a but though) BUT NHS pay is a bit dire at the lower scale. I’m starting to look at other jobs and in particular the Civil Service but I am now 4 years older than the young 53 I was when I started this thread. We’ll see. It would be much easier to stay in a job I enjoy and that I know I can do well.

It has been a really fabulous time for me though, and really interesting if people are worried about the age factor - there are many older staff working in my hospital, right up to people in their 70’s, so age really isn’t an issue.

OP posts:
Solosunrise · 09/05/2022 13:04

Hello @ThroughThickAndThin01 how brilliant that you are still enjoying it. Shame about the money though, but no surprise!

Very cool that we tracked you down for an update 😎Clever MN!

Your post is interesting as I'm a similar age to you and currently in a very physical job. I'd like to continue working as long as I can so it's good to know the NHS (at anyrate) employs older people.

#scurries of to look at how to update admin skills!

@Lilifer thank you for bumping. Zombie threads do have their uses!

Lilifer · 09/05/2022 13:22

Just want to jump on here and say well done to all of you who are making the leap back in to work! Not easy I know! I nearly gave up applying for jobs 6 months ago because it seemed no one interested - I now have two jobs offers for jobs I never thought I could get and I'm really really exciting to be getting back to work after 16 years raising 5 kids! 👏🏻 🙌🏻😊

Lilifer · 09/05/2022 13:25

Cleanbedlinen12 · 09/05/2022 07:05

Aww, I was all excited. And it’s 2018! I was just about to post that I’m 58, been a far too long sahm due to illnesses etc and desperate to return to work. This is very reassuring as I was beginning to think I would just be too old. I shall find a volunteer role asap.,
if anyone else has tIPs?

@Cleanbedlinen12 there are lots of good websites and online resources. I would start there. Also sign up to LinkedIn and indeed.com and I paid for a one hour consultion with a work coach which was money well spent for all the good advice I got.

Crazyeyes8 · 09/05/2022 13:25

Congratulations!
I’ve been a SAHM for almost 3yrs with my Irish twins. Daunted by the thought of returning to work/study.

Lilifer · 09/05/2022 13:28

Solosunrise · 09/05/2022 13:04

Hello @ThroughThickAndThin01 how brilliant that you are still enjoying it. Shame about the money though, but no surprise!

Very cool that we tracked you down for an update 😎Clever MN!

Your post is interesting as I'm a similar age to you and currently in a very physical job. I'd like to continue working as long as I can so it's good to know the NHS (at anyrate) employs older people.

#scurries of to look at how to update admin skills!

@Lilifer thank you for bumping. Zombie threads do have their uses!

@Solosunrise this thread really helped me and gave me hope to keep on looking and so glad to say I have found a job and another offer too!😊

hotchocandtwosmokybacon · 09/05/2022 13:29

Love the positive energy from your post! Well done! Enjoy your new job and next stage of life!

Solosunrise · 09/05/2022 13:30

Fantastic, well done @Lilifer Flowers

bumblefeline · 09/05/2022 14:44

Glad it's all still going well OP. I have been at home for 10 years and petrified about going back to work. Glad to hear others have been fine.

Lilifer · 09/05/2022 18:04

Solosunrise · 09/05/2022 13:30

Fantastic, well done @Lilifer Flowers

Thanks @Solosunrise 🤗

Oioicaptain · 09/05/2022 18:07

What a lovely post! That's exactly what many of us sahms need to hear! Thanks for sharing and I really hope that you enjoy your job.