What do you want to do when you grow up?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2003
What do you want to do when you grow up?
3
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 4:43pm
New here but have been lurking for quite some time. Im the mom of a 4 year old DD and 21 month old DS. I've been home since my son was born 7/02 and started a home daycare 2 months after (so I went from one child to five!). I'm cutting back and now only watch 2 kids Mon-Wed-Fri so I finally get to see what it's like to be a real stay at home mom two days a week if that makes sense! My question is, does anyone worry about finding a job when you do decide to return to the workforce (if you plan to)? I have a BSBA in Marketing and Finance and worked in the corporate world for seven years before my son was born. I'm not ready to go back to work yet, but do worry about being able to find a job someday. Just wanted to know if anyone has any personal experience or knows anyone who has taken a long break and returned to work, was it hard? I'd love to hear your stories. Also, if you plan to go back, how old will your children be and what do you plan on doing?

Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2003
Sat, 04-03-2004 - 11:50am
Right now I am taking night classes to get my associates degree. I have never had a career, since I've been a full time mom since I was 17 (a few peon jobs here and there, nothing I have been committed to). I am planning on waiting until all of my kids are in school fulltime (they will all be 7 and up by then), and I will PROBABLY become a substitute teacher. It's not my highest goal in life, but it's definantly the most family accomidating option in my neck of the woods. There are not very many jobs around here that will accomodate school schedules and such. I want to be able to stay home when ANY of my kids are sick, doctors appointments, or any other reasons they might need me. If I can think of any other career that might fit my criteria, I might consider something different. ;) I have other areas of intrest, but I just need the reassurance that my career won't make me choose between it and my children. I will ALWAYS be "Mom" first. I am working towards getting my associates degree in Early Childhood Education, with the thought in my head that I might possibly become a preschool teacher someday, but that's a little iffy right now.

My original goal, education wise, was to just get to college! LOL Now that I am there, I need to make a whole lot more decisions!!

Angie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Sat, 04-03-2004 - 12:08pm
My youngest started 1st grade this year. I had no clue what the heck I wanted to do. Never really held a "real" job, as dh and I graduated right out of college, and I spent a couple of years being a traveling navy wife before we had kids. Sure I held a couple of jobs, but nothing that even came close to being a "career". I watched my mom, as a sahm take a job in the school cafeteria for 6 years, sure it was convienient, but I don't think she was really happy. And as far as I'm concerned, I have no interest doing that job thank you (lol).

Back to my problem, what to do. At age 37, I did what a lot of people do when they want to have a second career do- I went back to school. At the moment I'm in my second semseter of prerequisites to get into the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant program at our local community college. I never thought that science would interest me, I'm taking a biology course this semester, and it's so neat! I only have to take a couple of science courses in order to get in, most of the other courses I got transfered from my old school.

From what I've read, many people in this field are part-time. That's fine with me, I'm not looking to make tons of money, just enough for private school tuition and a few extras. A bachelors would be nice, but as of 2007 you'll have to get a master's in order to become an OT, and frankly that's a lot of time spent away from my family, though I may change my mind in a few years, who knows. When I finally do get a job, my kids will be in 7th and 4th grade.

Hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Mon, 04-05-2004 - 10:49am
Hi!

I just turned 30 and have been a sahm for a year. Before that time, I was a dental office consultant/computer tech/manager (all in the dental field). I have a BS in Business Management. Funny thing, I haven't really thought about working again at all! I know that I probably will and I have thought about getting my Masters, but then, why?

I have always wanted to be a writer and I have been working on a book for years now, on and off. It's impossible to concentrate on any writing (other than short posts while she naps) and since I'm preg with the 2nd, I'm brain dead by 8 o'clock. So, I have this fantasy of writing during the day when the kids are at school.... I used to have a brain and an imagination....I hope it returns!

Seriously though....there must be soooo many tired moms working out there. I am always tired! Maybe that's why I can't even fathom the thought!

Melissa
Meldi