BellaOnline Forums Relationships Divorce going back to work?

How did you deal with the need to go back to work if you stayed home during your marriage?

How did your children handle it?

It was very, very difficult. I felt so guilty. Of course the first few weeks were horrible - for me, but the children adjusted rather quickly and actually loved making new friends. In time, we all adjusted to our new schedules, and as always, everything worked out fine.

I think the main thing I have always dones with my children, even when they were young, was communicate - with everything.

Sandy

blog - www.mygritsconfessions.com

Fortunately I was always the one working (he was home often between jobs) so the transition was not that bad for me. Even though he was home he really didn't spend a lot of time with them - so his leaving did not create that big a hole.
At the time my commute was 2 hrs each way. Now it's even better, I work 5 minutes away so I'm here when they both leave for school and I'm home an hour after they get home.

It was difficult for me too. I stayed home and home-schooled my girls, then we were getting a divorce and I had to work. I was lucky though, I managed for a time to work at home, then I went back to school and worked a work-study job, then it wasn't actually until 2006 that I had to work seriously full time.

By then my youngest was 14. So it wasn't that bad. But it was hard to adjust to mom not being as available but now that we're so far into this, and I am even remarried, I honestly believe the transition was good for the girls.

They are more independent and self sufficient than I believe they would have been had I not been forced into this transition.

I did both while i was married the first time. I worked with the first 2 and stayed at home with the last one for a year. While i stayed at home i worked part time-and went back to school to get my degree -it was hard but worth it because when i got divorced i was able to support myself -with no support from my ex - even child support - so i worked at 3 jobs for a bit - just to get caught up.

It was so hard when i had my last one because i was at home for a year. It was cost effective because the day care would have been a killer that first year - and the other 2 were in school. I was fortunate to live close to the school so i could walk them to school - and i had alot of friends with kids the same age.

Going back to school was a lifesaver and something im glad i did. Had i not - i wouldn't have been able to secure a really good job and be independent. My kids know how hard i've worked - and i think they appreciate it.

My niece had a child 6 years ago - and was able to stay at home with him -now that he's in school full time - she was able to get a job that she works almost at home -and at the office 2-3 days a week. Husband works at a car factory -she is artistic and for awhile dabbled with her artist stuff and sold that too.

It is hard - but rewarding at the same time. I have received the stigma of the working mother and the stay at home mom - so i know how it feels in both situations. I always say - until you walk a mile in my shoes - don't judge!