To Return or Not to Return... Now There's a Question!

Being a stay at home mom is wonderful, but as the children head off the school the question inevitably rises: When are you going back to work?

It's wonderful for moms to have the choice to stay at home to raise their young children. There's nothing like just being there for all those milestones. But the day comes when all the kids are in school. Should you go back to work?

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This is a very common point for stay at home moms to rejoin the workforce, at least part time. There is less need from their children, and it's nice to be bringing in some income. The basic early needs have been taken care of.

But not every stay at home will decide to go back to work. There are still very good reasons to stay at home. How do you decide which way is right for you?

Much of this depends on your priorities, of course. What do you feel will be best for your family?

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Even in school, your children can have a need for a parent at home. There are the days they stay home sick. Half days. Holidays. Summer vacation.

Not to mention the benefits of having someone at home to help with homework when they get home after school. Being a stay at home mom means that it is easier to be involved in your children's education. That can be a definite advantage as you probably won't be too tired to give help as appropriate.

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Being there means no need to pay for daycare or figuring out who is going to pick the kids up later.

However, continuing to stay at home means you will probably fight the battles you fought when you first chose to be a stay at home mom all over again. People often assume SAHMs will go back to work once the kids start school. All those arguments about whether at home moms are lazy can be expected again.

Of course, there are advantages to going back to work too. More money for your family. That can feel good if you've been stretched financially the entire time you've stayed at home. It's a chance to use your college degree, if you have one, for a career.

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Going back to work can be tough, of course, You will need to update your resume. Not all employers will respect your choice to be an at home mom for a few years, but at least that is a good explanation for the gap in your resume. But if you did any volunteer work or worked at home, make sure that makes it into your resume.

If you haven't kept your skills up you may have to start at a lower level in your career than you left. Even if you have tried to keep up, employers may not trust in that and expect you to prove yourself in that lower position. It's tough but it's the reality of the situation.

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One option would be to consider going back to school for a time rather than straight back to work. Update those credentials so that you can start at a higher level.

Most stay at home moms will consider at one point or another returning to work. That doesn't mean she will choose to do so. Just as when a baby is first born, there are good reasons for a mother to choose to stay at home just as there are good reasons to decide to return to work. It's a very personal decision, something done for the good of all involved.

About the author: Stephanie Foster is quite content as a stay at home mom. She offers tips on finding work at home jobs at her site but has found that doesn't always keep people from asking. If you want to share your experiences you can join her forum at http://www.homewiththekids.com/phpBB2/