I am what I am--a full time SAHM (stay at home mom) who writes in her free time (read: when kids are sleeping, in school or "exploring the basement.") What will I be when my kids go back to school and I go back to work?
Before Kids (BK) I worked in journalism, public relations and employee communications. But the clock is ticking because when my youngest goes to kindergarten in 2010, I'm heading back to work.
Well, here's the thing. I haven't done the tradition office gig in six years and haven't worked full time in five. Could I go back to handle the cut throat environment of a PR agency or corporate office. I loved the years I worked from home--in my pajamas and workout clothes.
So, while it's not yet the dawn a of a new era, it's close enough to get me thinking: What will I do next?
I have a few options, most which will take some research and planning far enough in advance.
1. Go back to doing exactly what I was doing before I "opted out. Boring!
2. Hope our book sells millions and I can make a career freelancing off of that. Good idea, not sure how viable it is at this point. Definitely worth exploring.
3. Take advantage of living in the nations capital and pick up a nice government job where I can surf the net and be home to pick up my kids. Good, but boring. Been there done that on government jobs.
4. Find a nice non profit job where I will make little money just so I can do something good for society instead of trying to sell high tech products. Good idea, but the main reason to go back to work is for the double income. Not sure non profit will get us there.
5. Explore a whole new career. What would I do if I could start all over again? This is an interesting topic for me to think about, but I think I have decided. If I did it all over again, I would go back to school to study Traditional Chinese Medicine and become a licensed acupuncturist. [Gasp] I can hear you all saying "What? Who is this freaky girl?" I bore my friends and family with talk of how acupuncture fixed my allergies, sinus infections and sore throats. Who needs modern medicine for the common cold when acupuncture and some herbs can fix it? But I always thought it would be fun to do acupuncture--specifically for female issues. Ah, alas.
Even while this last option is probably the most exciting to explore, by the time I spent the time and money to get where I'd need to be, I might as well go into non profit.
For other SAHMs or even though working from home part time, have you thought about what you'll do once your kids go back to school? How you will jump back into the rat race and doing what?
4.20.2008
What Will I Be When I Grow Up?
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3 comments:
Still not sure yet. I'm actually thinking that when my kids get older is when I need to be available at home MORE, rather than less... So, the idea of a traditional office job is not in my future (hopefully!) We've lived on one income for almost 8 years now, so I hope that whatever income I eventually bring in, will just be a supplement and be able to put away for their colleges, vacations, etc. I am thinking that preschool might be a good field for me: keep me from wanting another baby (DONE!) and allow me to be home when my kids get home from school.
My son will be going to kindergarten in 2010 too.
I've started my own company (although it isn't making any money yet, very small) but the point is - I'm hoping by 2010 it'll be off the ground.
I actually love the idea of you going into acupuncture... and thank you for the heads up that it helped your sinuses- I've tried EVERYTHING... i've never tried acupuncture but I'm going to if it will give me clear sinuses!!
Having worked part-time at home for the past 4 years since my oldest was born, I hope to NEVER go back to a full time office job. Agree with previous comment that the kids may actually need me here more when they are older, so I hope to get a flexible, part-time gig (no more than 30 hours at the most) where I can hopefully work from home. Of course, I have worked in the non-profit sector for my entire career, so I would be grateful to make enough to pay for extracurricular activities - forget about doubling our income. The pay is crap but they usually offer more flexibility as a tradeoff. Plus there's the whole job satisfaction/working for a good cause thing. So I will likely go back there.
Plan B: For our book to make millions so I can make a freelancing career off that with you. ; )
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