Stuck in a Rut!!!!!!!! - Blue Bell,PA

I think you need to find a local non profit that can benfit from your business background! volunteerism is not only fullfilling, it is a great re-entry into the workforce. They are typically very flexible with schedules because - hey - you are a volunteer.
Best of luck with your next step!

You can do anything you set your mind to.

While I don't know what your specialty in BA is - you've run a household for 10 years...

Put your resume together. I know that there are some on here who are strongly against putting your resume together and stating you have been a SAHM for 10 years - but it IS work...I am a recruiter and have seen enough resumes of mom's re-entering the workforce after being a SAHM.

Next start searching for jobs that interest you and apply for them. Make sure you have a cover letter that states why YOU are the best candidate for the job. Doesn't matter that you haven't had a "paid" job - apply those skills to what you want to do and the job description and they will most likely call you in for an interview...

GOOD LUCK!!

I think every single SAHM has felt this way at some point in their life. I went through this not too long ago. I found that my degree was something I didn't feel was something I could go into at an older age but it was also too demanding to do with young kiddos still needing so much of my attention. That is when I started back at community college in the evenings. I felt if I did online classes I wouldn't feel like classes would be "fun". I take classes strictly for fun. I've done a couple of art classes as well as a creative writing class. I've enjoyed it a lot and it's definitely helped me find direction again. I'm aspiring to write a book now so we'll see how it goes, cross your fingers!!

I actually felt that way durning the first year of my oldest daughter's life which is when I initially became a SAHM. When she was 13 months old I went back to work PT and loved it. Circumstances eventually changed and I had 2 more kids and what I found was that I really needed a hobby. I tried several... Photography, painting, swimming then I found stained glass and fell in love with it. I make windows and mosaics. I am truly passionate about glass. This " hobby" has made me a much better, happier person. I now wonder why in the world I ever studied business. I even insisted on obtaining an MBA before having kids. Why? I don't know, I do know I have no interest in business anymore:).

It sounds like you need to read that book The Happiness Project. I am reading it right now and one thing it says is to notice what makes YOU happy. Make a mental list. Work towards doing these things in your life. Make it a priority to do things for YOU not just your family members. You have to schedule it in and make time. Hire a babysitter to handle the kids one evening a week. Set up carpooling half the time so you are not the only one driving them. If you can figure out what you love to do then work towards getting an online degree or whatever it is you need to do. I know exactly how you feel! Good luck!

You sound torn. You aren't fulfilled at home, but don't have the time to fully invest yourself in a career. Have you thought about maybe getting your teaching certificate? You would be able to have similar hours to your kids. Bring in a good income, insurance, and retirement. And still be available to the kids.

Hi, 2:

You say you have no time for yourself or your hubby.
You say you would like to have a fulfilling career.
So you don't feel fulfilled with being a mother and wife,
why is that?

Have you thought about getting an appointment book from AT-A-Glance
and put all your activities in it each week. Find time for yourself each day.

Put in time for you and your husband each day. Giving love to
yourself and to your family is the greatest fulfillment any woman can have.
I wonder what is preventing you from experiencing that?
Good luck.
D.

A good way to decide what you want/don't want to do is to volunteer. You can probably work around the kids school schedules and it will get you out into the world which will probably make you feel better about yourself. Also, volunteering is a good way to get your foot in the door somewhere and when a paid position opens up, you can slip right in to it! Good luck!

Your post is about fulfilling yourself, which can happen in a number of different ways. If you know that what you want is a career, then I suggest prioritizing what the ideal career for you would be. I have a stack of cards that each list a value (prestige, money, friendship, family...), and it has helped me to put them in order each time I'm thinking about a major change. This will help you to determine what it is that you're looking for in a career (or some other change, if you're not committed to that path). I think the reason a lot of people aren't fulfilled is that they're doing what they think they SHOULD be doing even if it's in conflict with their personal values and priorities. Once you have a sense of what you want (e.g. something with flexible hours and people you enjoy or something that fosters your creativity or something that earns you respect from others and a decent wage), you can search more effectively for choices that will help you to feel better about yourself and then put together a plan to make it happen...

P.S. If you want the full list of values from the cards, just shoot me a quick message. I'd be glad to pass them along to you.

You have just pried yourself out of your rut by writing this posting.

While I do not have an HR background, I know that others on this board do. I am sure they would be more than happy to give you some feedback.

E.