Member Articles

Making the decision to say home with your children and forgo a career is a big decision for any woman. Especially for women who have previously enjoyed a satisfying career or had always planned to work outside the home. The decision to re-enter the workforce is even bigger and more ominous.

The first few years of staying home after the birth of my second daughter were magical indeed. I will always have the memories of their first steps, the first days of kindergarten and so on. And luckily my husband’s salary allowed me these pleasures without worry.

But let’s face it. After a few years of stay at home bliss, and comfort in the fact that everyone in the house could walk, talk and eat with utensils I started to get the itch. What itch you ask? I‘m talking about the itch for a connection to the outside world. The desire to talk to women who like me, knew that one day they would rejoin the workforce. Women who knew that they would need to re-sharpen their “woman” skills if this grand re-entry was going to be successful. I’m not sure, but I don’t think that memorizing the Doodlebop’s tour schedule would impress a prospective boss.

This realization all came together for me one night when my husband and I were out on one of our few date nights. I did not even realize that the background music that we were listening to was a compilation of “Nicktoons”. What happened to the jazzy mood music that we’d enjoyed just a few short years ago?

Here’s the deal. I’m a dedicated mommy, and I’m good at it, but I am a smart, sexy woman and wife as well. Yes, my husband does want to know what’s going on with our daughters and the household. After all, these things are parts of his life, too. But does this sharing of the day’s news really need to last the whole ride to the restaurant, through dinner and back? I think not.

What does your relationship with your husband and the neighborhood women have to do with preparing yourself to re-enter the work force? I believe it’s about staying sharp in all areas of your life. It’s not realistic to believe that you can navigate back and forth between “mommy” and “woman” when you are wearing both hats at the same time. In other words, when you are not in your “mommy” role, take off your “mommy” hat. That includes the clothes and all of the comfy accoutrements that are a part of your “mommy” uniform. I know that sweats are comfortable. And I am well aware of the fact that they now come in fashionable fabrics and colors. I also know that changing when you are leaving the house can be time consuming and inconvenient. I know. I’ve been there. But trust me, if you get into the habit of looking your best now, it won’t be such a hassle later on when you make the change. Plus, it feels good to look good. And believe me, your husband will notice the effort.