What if all you have ever been is a MOM?

[danasaunt]

:confused: My kids are all raised and gone now and I have nothing to do(but whine-I guess). Where I live there isnt much in the way of jobs-our town is dying out actually- and Im not physically fit enough for the jobs that there are. So what is a woman to do??? God knows we need the money but there are no choices. I love the net and wish there was something I could do with that. Except Ebay--- love Ebay but cant do all that selling. So Im between a rock and a hard place. Raising 8 kids was easier than this !!!!

[trixie]

Is there enough going on in your town to find some volunteer work? If you need the income that is not a good idea, I guess, but sometimes a volunteer position leads to a paid position. Volunteerism has so very much going for it. I hope this helps some.

[charliemae]

How far away are you from the next town? Maybe you can work part-time as a receptionist. Is there a hospital nearby? They might need help in the kitchen, or transporting patients to X-ray or surgery. How about work at the local school, like a classroom mom or teacher's aide? I'd say you have a lot of experience with children, so that might be something you'd enjoy. Good luck!

[butterfly05450]

being a mom is a job and it requires many skills that jobs look for belive it or not. i was told this by a counselor. and you can put it on a resume as work. today people are seeing everything as job skills. so dont think being a mom doesnt count as anything because it sure does. i mean you cook, clean, organize, multitask, etc/.

[GrandmaX6]

I never worked out side of my home. After a divorce I was told by a judge to get a job. I am doing housekeeping in a hospital. I am 50 years old work 3 twelve hour days and my body HURTS. What I need to do is go back to school. That scares me too. Any one have advice for me.

[tanner413]

Do what your good at....take care of kids. Look in your paper for babysitting postions or put flyers up at your grocery store.

[danasaunt]

Wow!!! Thanks you guys for all the feedback,, I really do appreciate it!!! There really isnt anything I could do here in town but there is another town(BIGGER) 30 miles away and I think Ill check there out!! THANKS again!!!

[kaegea]

Hi all you stay at home moms...FAST TRACK YOUSELF FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF YOUR LIFE---you are now in the throws of re-inventing yourself for when the kids are gone or at least don't need you all day everyday!

If you are a church member..volunteer to organize a fundraiser or the next pancake breakfast. Boyscout mom or girlscout mom? Help with the fundraisers..learn a bit from the one in charge now...offer to do it yourself next time! (Next cookie mom?? Now is the season to learn). Civic association?? Offer to place the ad for the development garage sale in the newspapers and get the posts and flyers on the community bulletin boards at the library, supermarket and in the softball newletter...Offer to edit the school newspaper or PTA newsletter, call the music teacher and offer to help with the Christmas Pagent or Spring Musical.

Keep a list of what you did and who you worked with...look at the skills you have used and proved...sell yourself in a few years to the same community newspaper for their advertising dept or to the school principle when he is looking for a new administrative assistant! The devil you know is better than the one you don't for everyone!!

If you don't have kids or they are grown...do the same with the local Senior Center, YMCA, Library, Right to Read organization and Goodwill Chapter, 4th of July Parade-fireworks committee or Harvest Festival. Start out in your comfort zone...and expand.

Still no opportunities beyond volunteer for paid jobs ? Then start with a temp agency...take your list with you and let them help you get the first few "real' jobs. Take short stints at first.........even if they are only for a few weeks you will get a lot of experience FAST...that resume' is lookin pretty good by then!!

It is a shame so much woman power is not tapped into in this country...the Gross National Product would probably tank if we all went on strike!!! What we do for free is really worth a lot of money...

Good luck everyone who wants to try a paying job and has been out of the market for a while...you are in the position to re-invent yourself...go for it!
Kaegea

[spasmo]

You raised eight kids and I KNOW that you learned LOTS of skills doing that! Here are some skills that you have that may help you start brainstorming:
-problem solving
-mediation
-logistics
-party coordination
-catering
-home economics
-gardening

I KNOW that this is just a tip of the ice berg!

[Jojo]

Just jump in! As far as going back to school I guess. I love being a student. At this age (44) I love to learn, think my instructors are interesting and am wondering what took me so long to go back. Check out your local schools and go for it!

Jojo

[billsmrs]

Check with small businesses. I know for me anyway I love to hire MOM's. They have patience and are good with the customers, and aren't afraid of a little work. I can't say that about some of the young people I have had in employment.

[chocolatechick]

retail is not for the faint hearted, but managers are often willing to hire based on personality and life experience, very important in sales.

some of my best hires had no retail experience at all, i just knew they'd be awesome and i was right. some of those hires are management now.
good luck

chocolatechick
:chocolate

[Ann2006]

You're never too old for college!!! Go for it and good luck!!! Many employers are happy to hire someone fresh out of college (cheaper to hire) and with life experiences (sometimes more reliable).