Thinking about staying home?

Some opt-out, others exercise their choice to stay home. It doesn't matter what you call it; if you stay home to raise your children, you must think about where outside work may fit into your future. If it is your career aspiration to be a parent and you can afford do to so, consider yourself fortunate. Many women (and men) have stayed home and never returned to the outside workforce. However, at some point you may not have an option. You may be forced to return due to divorce or the disability or death of a spouse. Or, you may just decide you want to reactivate your career, or pursue a new career.

Unfortunately, a disconnect exists between employers' and workers' perceptions of time spent away from the workforce. A recent study by Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business found that 61% of hiring managers said that showing that you kept your skills up to date is the most important thing you must do if you want to return. While only 25% of workers cited diminished skills is as the top concern when leaving the workforce. (See full Sun-Sentinel story). It is clear that many who choose to stay home do not know the importance of making an effort to keep themselves marketable.

You should consider how to keep your skill sharp as soon as you decided to stay home. Volunteer work, contract projects, networking and many other activities can keep you up to date in your field or help you develop new skills. Better yet, you can learn to transfer the skills you developed raising kids back to the outside workforce. (Check out Ann Crittenden's "If you've raised kids you can manage anything" by Gotham Books, 2004 for tips!)