My Back to Work Story

Two weeks ago I officially joined the ranks of the career re-launchers. After working a flexible, part-time schedule for the past 13 years so I could spend most of my time with our four young children, I started a full-time position. And I love it!

I have to admit the whole time I was job-searching, I had mixed feelings. I wondered if this was really the right time. Would my co-workers value my professional skills? Would an employer understand that I plan to give 110% at the office, but that my family will always be my first priority? Would our children survive if I wasn’t around all the time? Would we ever eat a home-cooked meal again?

Here’s the answer to all those questions – a resounding YES!

My first week, and this whole transition, were made much easier because of a few steps I took to prepare in advance.

First, I used care.com to find a nanny. The site is easy to use and after entering in the parameters of the job I was hiring for and some information about our family, I received eight responses in five days from people who saw my ad and wanted to apply. I ran a background check through the site on my favorite candidate, hired her and now enjoy the text she sends me each day around 3pm to let me know she’s picked our boys up from school.

Second, I got disciplined about planning a week’s worth of meals and ordered my groceries online. The monthly fee for this service is well worth it: I save at least that much each shopping trip by not being in the store to be tempted by impulse buys. I use Lowe’s Foods to Go, but Harris Teeter and other local Raleigh-area stores do it too. My hair is actually less gray when I don’t have to wait in line at the deli counter, so I’m saving on my hair coloring costs too!

Third, I enlisted the help of my family – husband and kids – to pitch in and help make this transition as smooth as it could be. They really rose to the occasion! Our dinner menu listed chicken enchiladas for Tuesday night, so on Sunday my husband cooked them and stuck them in the freezer. Having a prepared meal in the freezer is like money in the bank to me, so we cashed in on Tuesday night and enjoyed a nice family dinner.

Carpooling has also been a lifesaver. Although I fear I’ll be forever indebted to my neighbors and friends who have been extremely generous with rides for my children, I am hoping there will come a time when we can repay their kindness. Weekend rides, anyone? I’ll pick your kids up and drive them home!

As for feeling valued at work, I feel like I hit the jackpot. Keeping one foot in the working world with a part-time position while our children were little meant I never felt too far from a professional environment, even when I spent the majority of my time in the trenches of diapers and PB&J’s. If you’ve stepped out of the workforce completely and think you’ll want to return someday, don’t wait until you feel the urgency to return to work to develop new skills, keep up any certifications that might be important in your field or find a part-time or volunteer position that will enable you to keep growing professionally. It makes going back a lot easier.

During my interview for the position I started this week, I was asked about my ability to multi-task and juggle multiple responsibilities. I gave my business answer, but couldn’t resist adding “…and I do have four children, so multi-tasking is pretty second-nature to me.” My interviewer laughed and said “Well, maybe you can teach us how it’s done then!” I knew then that I’d be valued not just for what I can do, but also for who I am. I am a working mom!