It’s no secret that dealing with divorce is stressful, especially when your children and home life are concerned. But stay-at-home parents face an additional challenge: Re-entering the workforce. Many couples make the decision to have one parent stay at home with the kids, while the other parent works full-time to support the family. Unfortunately, this arrangement becomes much more difficult post-divorce, as many stay-at-home-parents must figure out how to stay financially stable without their partner in the picture. For most, this means returning to work.
Whether you had a career prior to your kids or are brand new to the working world, the thought of completely changing your current lifestyle can be daunting. But don’t worry – with proper preparation and a bit of positive thinking, you’ll be ready to confidently take on this next chapter of your life. In today’s post, we’re going to go through a few tips and tricks for transitioning out of stay-at-home parenthood – let’s dive in!
Just because divorce expedited your re-entry to the workforce doesn’t mean you have to take the first job you come across. In order to look at this as an exciting next step in your life, you have to pick a job you’re passionate about – or at the very least, one that aligns with your wants and needs.
Before you bring out your resume or read through job postings, make a list of everything you’re looking for in a job. To get this process going, some questions you can ask yourself include:
At the end of the day, you not only want to make sure you’re a good fit for the job, but that the job is a good fit for you and your daily life.
Now that you have a sense of where you’re headed, start laying the groundwork to get there. This includes updating your resume, portfolio, LinkedIn, or any other materials that you may use throughout your job search. If you have no prior work experience, this is also the perfect time to begin building your skillset. There are many ways to do this, from online courses to in-person workshops, or simply consuming educational content through books, podcasts, and videos.
The transition from stay-at-home parent to job hunter is hard, which is why there’s no shame in asking for help along the way. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family, or old colleagues to ask for career advice. They may know of open positions that are perfect for you, and may even be willing to connect you to people who are hiring. Additionally, other single parents who have returned to work after their separation may be able to offer guidance based off of their personal experience.
It takes time to navigate and adjust to big life changes. No one expects you to do a complete 180 overnight, so you shouldn’t put that expectation on yourself either. Even throughout the rollercoaster of emotions you’re feeling, remember to stay positive and patient. Good things take time, including new careers, relationships, and lifestyles.