Back on the career ladder: Tips for reentering the workforce

You’ve crunched the numbers. You’ve scaled back quite a bit. You’ve stretched, pulled and bent your dollars. Some nights you can’t sleep as you worry about this winter’s heating bill. It’s time to get back into the workforce.
That thought has you just as scared as the economy.

“What am I going to do? Who is going to watch my children? Do I even have brain cells anymore?”

You are in great company. Stay at home moms throughout the nation are facing the exact same issue. Here are ten steps to get you on your way.

1. Relax.
You can and will do this. You cannot be productive if you are feeling panicked and scared. Every time you feel that familiar feeling of dread, remind yourself that you will be fine. Kind self talk is the first step to positive change.
2. Boost your self esteem.
Buy yourself a notebook and some jazzy pens, and markers. Creatively fill the pages with everything you do well. Ask your friends, and family for their input. Write down all that you have accomplished since being at home with your children. Your volunteer time at school, your flair for decorating, your amazing culinary expertise, your conflict mediation skills and your ability to do 25 things at the same time are all marketable strengths. Reread the words when you’re feeling scared and add to it every time you accomplish something new.
3. Eliminate the guilt.
Many moms feel guilty when it comes to the work issue. Let it go. Children thrive in a stress free environment where the love flows freely. You going back to work isn’t going to scar them. In fact, it may teach them a valuable lesson. Life changes. We adapt. Love is constant.
4. Your best resource, other moms.
Start talking to other moms about the work issue and the creative ways they manage. Warning: You will run into some complainers and poor me-ers. Smile, nod and run for your life.
Don’t stop running until you bump into positive moms who will talk to you about starting home businesses, working a few nights so they don’t have to incur day care costs, happily working full time or part time or from a home office , heading back to school, or dipping a bit into savings to be home for a few more years. The lesson here is the choices are endless.
5. Finances 101
Without judgment, embarrassment or fear, carefully examine your finances. Have an honest discussion about how, where, when and what you spend. Where is the shortfall? Calmly, and positively answer this question, “How much income do I need to make my home and family run smoothly?”
Money cannot be the only deciding factor, but a concrete number is an important piece of the puzzle.
6. The decisionr
The choices are abundant; full time, part time, a home business, a few nights a week, just when the kids are in school. Only you can decide. A very wise woman told me once, “Every decision requires three nights of solid sleep. You’ll know on the third day.” It works every time for everyone I have shared that with.
7. Get movingr
Whatever you have decided to do, you now need to take action. The quickest way to get from here to there is slow, steady and straight. Every day take three-five small steps in the direction you are going. Getting back into the work force is a job in itself. Make sure you give yourself uninterrupted time each day to take action.
8. Thoughts on resume writing and employment gapsr
Research indicates that mothers are extremely valuable to employers because of the amazing skills it takes to raise children. While an interviewer may not be impressed with a story of how you got little Johnny to stop sucking his thumb, the fact that you organized an event, coordinated volunteers and raised 700 dollars for the PTA is extremely eye catching on a resume.
9.A home businessr
If you decide, like millions of other moms, that entrepreneurship is right for you, start with your local Small Business Development Center. Most of them offer free business counseling and a wide variety of reasonably priced workshops.
10. Go back to number one each and every time your determination drops or your self esteem wavers. Relax. You will be fine. You can do this.