Back to school, back to work

After years of play dates, zoo visits and messy play waving the youngest child off to school can be a daunting prospect for many stay-at-home parents, as they face the prospect of re-entering the world of work with a child rearing sized hole in their CV.

“Going back to work was scary,” says Imogen McIntosh, a former mental health nurse and mum of three from Ashley Down. “I felt a bit helpless and very concerned about what work I could do with my nursing skills which would fit around my family.”

“I realised that the transferable skills from being a mum and running a home are what you also need in business – negotiation, delegation, creativity and problem solving.”

She is now communications manager for urban regeneration group Revive and Thrive. “If anyone had ever said I was going to end up working in business I would have laughed thinking there was no way I was going to do that, but I did and I can.” 

“It’s a matter of confidence,” says Heather Froud, operations director for Lucy Bristow Recruitment based in Bristol city centre.  She believes that as long as you keep your technology skills up-to-date everything that parents learn from bringing up children can be seen as a positive experience on their CV.

However, finding a job to fit in with school hours can be tricky. Before and after school clubs can be hard to get into and don’t mention the 48 hour rule after sickness, the numerous plays and sports days and the dreaded six week summer holiday.

A lot of parents consider working as a teacher or a teaching assistant to fit it with school hours.  Claire Johnson from Long Ashton is a mum of two. She used to be a recruitment consultant, but re-trained as a teaching assistant to try a get a job to fit in with school hours. She cautions parents to look at this option carefully before retraining. “There aren’t enough jobs, it’s incredibly competitive and hours are being cut,” she says. “It’s not an easy option.”

Starting her own business was the answer for mother of three Lesley Benson. Born and brought up in France she started Encore French – a translation and French tuition business based in St George, which gives her the flexibility she needs to work round school hours and her Open University degree course. 

“Just go for it,” she advises. “You just need a website and determination.”

Using your skills from a previous career in a different way is what Maria Luxton did. She worked as a live-in nanny before having children. When they went to school she re-trained as a child-minder and has made it fit in with her lifestyle. “Training was relatively straight forward and there were child minding support workers and they put me in touch with a mentor for help and support when I first started.”

“It’s a lot of paperwork and can be quite stressful but ultimately I can work and still spend time with my own children.”

For more information on support networks for re-entering the world of work, visit www.freelancemum.co.uk, www.bristolwoman.wordpress.com and www.mediaparents.co.uk.

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