10 Ways for Moms to Opt Out Without Getting Shut Out
by Samantha Ettus
Like many moms, I am in the thick of the child focused years: Back to school, multiple pickups, dropoffs, lunchboxes, playdates, meetings, soccer games, homework, birthday parties, scraped knees, new friendships and classroom volunteering. Top it all off with a career, a spouse and a social life, and it could make any woman feel like a ticking time bomb.
Since I wrote about professional moms on the sidelines, I have been overwhelmed by the stories of talented professional women who chose to opt out yet found they had no choices at all when they wanted to return to work. What I noticed was that although they hailed from a variety of professions, what they had in common was how completely they had disengaged from the workforce. So how could they have maintained their connection?
Here are 10 steps for at-home professional moms to keep the doors to their future wide open:
1. Mention Your Past
Nothing kills a conversation faster than being asked what you do and responding, “I’m home with the kids.” Instead, share your past: “I used to be in sales for an apparel company and I’ve spent the last more on Forbes…