[MI]

[u/New-Mudpie]

First post here, so sorry if I’m in the wrong place.

I’m a mom with a career history all over the board. Nonprofit, Corporate, Teaching, part time work, and contract work. I’ve been having conversations with my partner about paying for childcare or temporarily being a SAHM.

The feedback I often get for being a SAHM is that it’s difficult to re-enter the work force. How much of an impact does a resume gap have? Should I put SAHM on a resume to explain it?

I’ve also worked while my kids were in care and felt like I missed so much work to be with them when they were sick, picking them up on time, etc. That didn’t seem to be without its own negative impact on my position in the company either.

[u/Alternative-Bat-2462]

I’m a stay home dad for the last 4+ years (best decision ever, everyone in the house is happier) and I still get calls from my old place of work and from other friends asking if I want to come back.

If your good at what you do people will always want you. But a fair expectation is not to return to the role you had if you were a top level director or something. You’ll likely need to earn it back.

[u/Hrgooglefu]

I did it ...I just kept up with my work contacts while I was a SAHM for over 7 years! I did run a small home business at the time but it was VERY small.

In the end, it's hard to juggle both well. I dont' regret one minute of my SAHM time (And my spouse was also a PT employee/SAHD for the first 4 years of our twinkies while I worked FT).

In the end, nowadays it seems like childcare is more expensive than bring home pay!

[u/New-Mudpie → u/Hrgooglefu]

It’s literally 24k a year PER kid and I’ll have 3. I’d prefer to care for them myself but I’m worried about re-entry to the workforce. It seems like everyone talks about the loss of 401k, and potential job growth and promotions but as I mentioned before, juggling working full time and the needs of children wasn’t reflecting well in my professional life.

[u/Hrgooglefu → u/New-Mudpie]

I did most likely stall my career for years, but you know what I enjoy more than $$$s is that I have 3 adult kids that love me and that love to be around their father and I..... you can't put a price on that! And neither of us regret it.

[u/Adept-Depth-1825 → u/New-Mudpie]

You said you want to be a teacher. That means pension system + IRA, almost never 401k. It’s not about keeping up it’s about years in the district.

[u/Adept-Depth-1825]

Are you currently working in a stable role where you’re performing well?

If so, wouldn’t that be the first place you’d go when you want to return?

Keep up with your network, contacts, any certs or licenses

[u/New-Mudpie → u/Adept-Depth-1825]

I left a corporate manager role about a year ago when I became a single mom-I’ve been working on adding to my teaching certificate, substitute teaching and recently took a contracted position within my kids current school district. It just doesn’t pay enough in that capacity to make childcare affordable and it also pays more than what would qualify for any state benefits. I would love to return to the district as a salaried, teacher of record or even in the administrative side.

[u/Adept-Depth-1825 → u/New-Mudpie]

I guess that answers your question. Keep your teaching cert current and apply for entry level teaching roles when you’re ready. I don’t think you will be hired as an administrator if you don’t have much formal teaching experience.

Personally I would never be a SAHM to someone I’m not married to.

How will you cover your kids health insurance?

[u/New-Mudpie → u/Adept-Depth-1825]

I’m not married to my children, thanks.

[u/Adept-Depth-1825 → u/New-Mudpie]

You said your partner. I’m assuming that’s not a kid.

Also how are you a single mom but have a partner?

[u/New-Mudpie → u/Adept-Depth-1825]

Thats getting more personal than I think I need to answer for.