There has been a ton of discussion lately about stay-at-home moms sacrificing their financial health for the sake of raising their children. Whether you agree or disagree with this statement, there are a lot of moms returning to the workforce to make an extra buck and keep their foot in the corporate world.
However, it doesn't have to be an all or nothing approach. What are some ways to successfully get you back into the working world? Take a look:
Work Part-Time
This can be one of the most appealing work alternatives for moms. You don't have to give up all your freedom and time with your kids while earning a paycheck. That's the misconception that many have while contemplating their next move. Not only does part-time work allow you to get your feet wet once again without diving in head first, you can pick up some new skills and start putting away some money while you're at it.
Work-At-Home (for someone else) & Freelance
There are many ways this can happen. You can become skilled in a trade that hires home-workers such as medical transcriptionists. There are different courses out there to help you get started with such a thing. You can also become a virtual assistant or a freelancer for a business owner. The type of work would vary greatly depending on your strengths and the business owner's needs.
Work-At-Home (for yourself)
Starting a business can be extremely scary and overwhelming but the Internet makes it easier than ever. Now don't get me wrong: you still have to have strong business acumen and be willing to work very hard and constantly keep abreast of new marketing techniques, but you don't need a lot of upfront capital. Domain names are cheap and there's help out there to get started.
But do NOT get caught up in the easy-money scam. These scams prey on amateurs who might not know that it really is too good to be true. Those of us who have online businesses know that it takes time and a lot of hard work to become successful.
Volunteer
Now if you're a mom who doesn't care about earning an extra paycheck right now, then volunteering might be the route for you. It allows you to choose something you enjoy and believe in while honing some important business skills. Yes, volunteer work can easily be transformed into valuable assets that will work for you when and if it comes time to go back to work. It's usually viewed upon very highly with employers.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure it's your decision. Some people believe that all women should work outside the home. If not, you risk financial ruin. That is a very dire picture to paint especially where there are other ways you can gain financial security. Do what's right for you and your family. If the time is right and you feel you are willing and able to jump back into working, then go for it?and don't let anything hold you back.
Once you return to work, you can continue to breast feed. If you live close to work or have an on site daycare, you may be able to breast feed during your breaks. If that isn't possible, you have 2 choices: 1. Keep your milk supply by using a high quality automatic electric breast pump to express milk during the day. Save your milk that you collect for your baby sitter. 2. If you don't want to or can't pump at work, you can gradually replace daytime feedings with formula while your at home but still continue to nurse at night and in the morning. The milk your body produces may not be enough to keep your baby satisfied, even if you only need enough for 2 feedings.
Advantages of pumping at work Pumping at work will help stimulate your production of milk, so you'll have plenty available when it comes time to feed. You can also collect the milk you pump, so your baby will have the health and nutritional benefits of breast milk even when you aren't there. To make things better, pumping can be an ideal way to feel a connection to your baby during the work day.
Although it can seem like a hassle, many mothers find that the benefits of breast pumping far outweight the inconvenience.
To manage pumping at work, you'll need to have the following: 1. Breast pump, preferably a fully automatic electric pump with a double collection kit so you can pump both breasts simultaneously. 2. Bottles or bags for collecting and storing the milk. 3. Access to a refrigerator or cooler to keep the milk cold until you return home. 4. Breast pads to help protect your clothes if you start to leak.
Make sure that you get used to pumping before you return to work, so you'll know what to expect and how it feels. You'll be much more confident with pumping at work if you already know that you can produce enough milk.
At work, you'll want to have somewhere that's away from everyone else when you pump, such as an empty office or empty room. This way, you'll be away from everyone else and you can have the quiet tranquility you need to pump. In most offices, this shouldn't be a problem.
For the time frame, you'll want to pump every 2 - 3 hours if possible. If you can't, every 4 hours or so will have to suffice. After you have finished pumping, store the milk in the bags or bottles, clean yourself up, then go back to work. When you return home, you can feed the milk to your growing baby.
Both Heather Eagar & Julia Sullivan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Heather Eagar has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cover Letter, Interview Questions and Careers and Job Hunting. Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and creator of Moms Back to Work, a site that offers help and advice to moms going back to work. For resume and cover letter samples, interview advice and work options for moms, go to:. Heather Eagar's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
Julia Sullivan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Pets and Pregnancy. Find tips about and. Julia Sullivan's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.