My wife wants to go back to work after staying home for 10 years

My wife went back to school to get a masters to become a speech language pathologist. It is a good job for a mom because she has summers off, has plenty of time during the workday to get everything done and has lots of options for work outside of schools. The downside is that it took about five years to get through the program. She had to go to community college to get a few prerequisites. Then, she had to do a one year post bachelors program. It then took her three years to get her masters because she went part time. They do externships the second year that are pretty much 40 hours a week in addition to going to class at night. But it was worth it. She now has a good career and loves the work.

If she doesn't want to go back to school, going to work as a legal assistant or paralegal (short community college certification program) is a good way to get back into the workforce. Pay can be decent if you work your way up to a big firm or learn a specialized area of the law. Downside is that attorneys can be jerks to their staff and you can end up working long hours.

She needs to figure out her interests to get a sense of what she might want to do. If she wants to take the economics degree and general office work background to go back and get an accounting certification and a CPA, there are definitely straightforward avenues for a career to develop out of that both flexible and more traditional corporate jobs.

She can also recognize that she spent the last 10 years managing household logistics, keeping things organized, planning and anticipating future needs, coordinating competing priorities, budgeting expenses and and getting projects accomplished on time and under budget. Those are all skills local non-profits would look for in staff positions. She could start by reaching out to any of the non-profits that interest her see if there are any open positions available, she'd be able to take on a part-time no benefits position it sounds like. If she doesn't see any openings, she should still reach out directly and volunteer her time. Let them know she's looking to get back into the workforce after staying home to raise her kids, but she's interested in their cause and happy to do some volunteer work to start building her resume back up. My guess is she's probably got her stuff together with having 4 kids to manage so whoever takes a chance on her will find a way to utilize her skills.

She's just got to put herself out there and not worry too much about rejection or just silence.

My sisters have been through the same thing (not getting paid to use their college degrees while raising kids). One got her teaching degree online, then taught for a year before returning to working with her husband in his blue collar business. Another (the one who could conquer the world if she decided to) spent several years doing a lot of volunteer work (Meals on Wheel, church work, race organizing, etc.) and some occasional paid sewing and is now finishing up a nursing degree. When my youngest started kindergarten, I spent a several hours a week studying for the LSAT for a few months before deciding I wasn't at that point in my life, so I'm still exploring options while I do some volunteer work and raise my kids.

Echoing on what others have said, with you making 220k I don't really think it makes sense for her to start working part time for ~30k when you have so much more earning potential in the workforce. Could she do some tasks around the house that enable you to work an extra 5 hours a week and take your salary from 220k to 280k? That would make more sense in my opinion.

In your position, I would have her consider more of a moonshot type career. Something where she isn't just trading time for money and getting $15/hour. Maybe starting a business (not MLM) or becoming a realtor or something like that. Something with high earning potential that could actually move the needle in your life.

Realtors have high independence & high job satisfaction.

Teachers have good schedules for raising kids and job satisfaction varies with school districts.

Those are my two ideas. Both require some level of training or certification, which can also be a useful networking opportunity for someone like your wife who hasn't been in the workforce for so long.

oh you know wrote:

Echoing on what others have said, with you making 220k I don't really think it makes sense for her to start working part time for ~30k when you have so much more earning potential in the workforce. Could she do some tasks around the house that enable you to work an extra 5 hours a week and take your salary from 220k to 280k? That would make more sense in my opinion.

In your position, I would have her consider more of a moonshot type career. Something where she isn't just trading time for money and getting $15/hour. Maybe starting a business (not MLM) or becoming a realtor or something like that. Something with high earning potential that could actually move the needle in your life.

You're treating her like a servant or something here...it sounds like she doesn't like being home, so asking her to stay at home so you can work more is asking for problems.

I would back her doing what she wants, life's too short to be stuck at home doing nothing. Always a good thing to have a second earner in case you lose your job, too (with a family, the health insurance option might be more valuable than the salary in that case).

Does she have interest in pursuing an MBA? Are there any decent programs in your area?

rojo wrote:

wife wants to work wrote:

Her resume literally is blank since 2011.

I certainly don't agree with that statement, nor would your kids. She's been a MOM.

Exactly right.

And the OP should not underestimate her capabilities. Seeing as she has had a lot of time to think since she left the paid workforce, she should not restrict her to her previous employment

A lot of school districts are looking for substitute teachers right now. Most of the retired age folks just don't want to do it anymore because of the pandemic. It isn't the best paying but its something that is work when you want, requires no specific degree and is a good resume booster. She can do it for as long or as short as she wants while she finds something more to her liking.

Samesies wrote:

My sisters have been through the same thing (not getting paid to use their college degrees while raising kids). One got her teaching degree online, then taught for a year before returning to working with her husband in his blue collar business. Another (the one who could conquer the world if she decided to) spent several years doing a lot of volunteer work (Meals on Wheel, church work, race organizing, etc.) and some occasional paid sewing and is now finishing up a nursing degree. When my youngest started kindergarten, I spent a several hours a week studying for the LSAT for a few months before deciding I wasn't at that point in my life, so I'm still exploring options while I do some volunteer work and raise my kids.

I would echo this part about the volunteer work. If you don't need the money right now, she'll definitely find more fulfillment in helping others. It really helps on a resume and maybe the non-profit will have a paid position open up. She could volunteer as many weeks or months into the future as she would like until she finds something permanent.

oh you know wrote:

Echoing on what others have said, with you making 220k I don't really think it makes sense for her to start working part time for ~30k when you have so much more earning potential in the workforce. Could she do some tasks around the house that enable you to work an extra 5 hours a week and take your salary from 220k to 280k? That would make more sense in my opinion.

In your position, I would have her consider more of a moonshot type career. Something where she isn't just trading time for money and getting $15/hour. Maybe starting a business (not MLM) or becoming a realtor or something like that. Something with high earning potential that could actually move the needle in your life.

I hear what you are saying but at this point I’m close to tapped out on my earning potential in my field. I’m 43 and in a senior position.

Incidentally, she has mentioned real estate as she has seen other women take this up late in life with good success. It doesn’t involve much up front (about 6 months of classes, passing exams, and maybe $1000 for all the classes and licensing stuff.)

I should add, she is a decent runner. She qualified for Boston in the past and she usually places in her age group in local 5k/10ks. She has done a small amount volunteer work with a local running group and it was fine, but she said she wants something else/more

One other thing to consider is that both of you having current, marketable skills is a great safety net for your family overall. I’ve had a few friends need to hop unexpectedly back into the workforce following an illness/job loss.

Watch Romance is Bonus Book on Netflix and see what Dani has to go through to get a job after being a stay at home mom for 11 years.

My wife is reentering the workforce after 7 years of momming

This should be primarily about your wife engaging in a fuller scope of life, not a income/child care costs trade off. Work can be fun and fulfilling. Someday we are all dead and you don't want her dying regret that she didn't live at her full capacity.

Admin jobs are a good foot in the door and can lead to a lot more in a few years if she is at a good company. My wife went back to school prior to reentering. It was great for making new friends and regaining confidence. She may think her skills are rusty, but grad degree 25 year olds are DUMB compared to someone with an extra decade or two. Being mom brings a lot of common sense and prioritization skills. Employers know this.

This is most likely her way of testing the waters to open things up.

How’s your camerawork? Ever hear of Only Fans? There’s a growing interest in milf and interracial content there.

PS- this thread is useless without pics, prs, and mileage. Hers and yours.

Depending on a few factors she may get hired pretty quickly at onlyfan.

Give them a shot.

Best of luck.

Start by applying to similar jobs she already worked and when they ask about the gap in work history explain that she had kids and was raising a family. It’s that simple

Oh god,

You self righteous blow hards.

Being a mom is NOT a job. Sitting at home goofing around on Instagram and microwaving leftovers is quite an accomplishment. And beat it with your 200K + salary not including bonuses. Stop being so arrogant. You have more than enough.