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Work after caring for children
One needs to consider the effect of having a job will have on the family dynamic, the parent needs to decide whether less time spent raising their children outweighs the benefits of employment
Date Published: 05 Feb 2009
Author:Nathaniel Oldreive
Nathaniel Oldreive
| Business Name | Triframe Ltd |
| Link | www.triframe.co.uk |
| Profile | Nathaniel is the marketing manager at triframe |
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Stepping back into the workplace for the first time after a significant time spent looking after children is one of the most challenging tasks any person could face in their working life. It is not simply a case of finding a new job it combines readjusting to a now unfamiliar environment and the practicalities of supporting a family while being in employment.
One needs to consider the effect of having a job will have on the family dynamic, the parent needs to decide whether less time spent raising their children outweighs the benefits of employment.
Parents may not want the responsibility of full employment, they want to have flexibility to work their timetable around family life. For example they would arrange work hours so they could be home before dinner. As a result part time, home working or temporary work may be the only option therefore narrowing the job opportunities available.
Probably the most pertinent issue is the loss of confidence experienced from being out of the workplace for so long. There is a strong feeling that during the time elapsed, the parent will have lost their marketability to employers. The best thing to do is review one’s strengths and weaknesses objectively perhaps with the help of a friend. This provides a timely reminder of one’s key qualities and can determine whether retraining is necessary.
It is often commented that coming back to work after time spent looking after family can be seem quite easy. Organisational skills gained housekeeping are undervalued by employers but become very useful.
Childcare must be arranged by parents, there are some employers that provide crèche facilities and this will be of great assistance to the parent, however the vast majority of working parents do not have this option and have to make other arrangements such as nannies and nurseries. Parents need to research their prospective employers as some companies are more childcare friendly then others.
It is clear why coming back to work after a long period out looking after children is such an important issue for parents, a balancing act must be performed between family life and career aspirations.
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