When Keisha Case decided it was time to go back to work and join
the legion of working mothers, it wasn't whether or not to
return that was the tough decision - it was what to do. "My
decision to get back in the workplace was mostly financial but
when I look back I realize it had much to do with my education,
too," said Keisha, a working mother of one and former
globe-trotting student and educator. "I wanted to be able to
contribute to our family income but still stay at home during
the day with my son. Some of my suggestions got shot down by
family but other ideas got a better response."
So Keisha began a job working from home managing a company
called About Town Moms, a tight-knit organization that led moms
and their wee ones on historical neighborhood walks, private
museum tours and other cultural adventures. Then Keisha added
another job to her already hectic day, delivering ads as a field
representative for a company called News America; she landed the
gig through SnagAJob.com.
"The major challenge is time," Keisha said of her new life. "I
feel like I run around all day but by the end of the day I sleep
really well knowing that I am helping my family financially,
raising my son during the day and staying in the workforce. Many
people call me a super mom but I have always been happiest when
I feel like I'm helping others." Keisha's story is echoed around
the country as moms look for jobs - for
reasons ranging from financial to self-improvement. And there's
one common theme among all these different tales - motherhood is
tough enough, and working while rearing the kiddies is an even
more difficult balancing act. But it can be done.
Here are some tips:
Sell your mommy skills
Through all your motherly
adventures, you may or may not have realized that you've
acquired and grown a new set of skills. For example, what's
another name for fixing breakfast, changing junior's diaper and
paying some bills, all at the same time? That's multi-tasking.
And what about bargaining with the little ladies over an agreed
upon bedtime? That's you developing your patience and stellar
negotiating skills. And finally, what separates you from the
hotshot college graduate vying for the same job? Maturity.
If you still need convincing, then consider this:
The job you're doing now is likely to be more taxing than the job
you'll soon
be doing. In fact, a recent study conducted by Salary.com determined
that when the typical stay-at-home mother's duties are amassed -
roles including cook, daycare center teacher and psychologist -
she would be rewarded $140,000 a year for her 92-hour work
weeks. So don't sell yourself short on your revamped
resume or
during the interview; instead, leverage your motherly
superpowers.
Getting over the guilt It may not feel like it at
the time, but you're not the first mother to jump back into the
working world, and you're certainly not the first to have some
reservations about making the jump. In fact, according to an ABC
News "Good Morning America"/Good Housekeeping poll, 60 percent
of moms with kids under 18 years of age are also out there
collecting paychecks. If you don't find comfort in numbers, then
here are a few other tips to help the transition.
* Choose a reasonable amount of time for work. Take baby
steps, pun
intended. There's no reason to go from stay-at-home, unemployed
mom to workaholic right away. Try an hourly and/or part-time job
on for size and then decide if you want to super-size it to a
career.
* Find qualified care. Whether you're searching for the local
babysitters' club or visiting a never-ending slew of daycare
providers, securing quality and affordable care for your
children should be your first priority. Friends, relatives,
schools, churches and family doctors are a great place to find
reliable referrals for these services. If you're shopping for
daycare, be sure to check in with the state and local agencies
responsible for health and safety licensing. Also, if you're
considering a home daycare situation, check for accreditation
and other evaluation criteria through the National Association
for Family Child Care.
A home away from home If you choose to work from home, we know
that part of that decision has to do with still being there to
keep an eye on the kiddies. It makes sense; however, you still
need to make sure you have your own designated space to do your
work. If you don't have the luxury of having an entire room as
your office, search for an appropriate nook - try transforming
an alcove or positioning your desk so that it's facing a window
and all your other concerns are a world away...three feet behind
you.
Also, most corporate environments have ergonomic experts to
make sure your work tools are positioned in such a way that you
won't get carpal tunnel syndrome the first week on the job. You
won't have this luxury. So be sure to keep your eyes at least 20
inches from your computer screen, the monitor at eye level and
your feet positioned firm on the ground. And don't slouch. So
grab batteries for the baby monitor and pick up a new pair of
pumps. A return to the workplace - whether it's in your spare
bedroom or down at the mall - isn't as scary as you think.
About the Author:
Mike Ward is the Senior Online Editor for
SnagAJob.com, one of the nation's largest job search websites, with
more than 117 million
annual searches. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., SnagAJob.com
was started in 1999 to connect job seekers with great employment
opportunities. For more information, visit: Snag A Job
