Mama's Going Back to Work: 4 Tips to Update Your Resume

Resumes are hard, especially when you have been out of the work force for almost 6 years. That is a lot of time to forget what all needs to be on a resume. I wasn't sure if I should explain the gap on my resume by including my stay at home mom experience or leave just it blank. So I turned to the Internet. What I found was not, I repeat not, pleasant. Apparently, there is a ton of hostility concerning sahms who wish to return to work. Who knew it was such a heated debate? I had to weed through name calling and insults but eventually I was successful, finding some fairly reasonable pieces of advice from sites such as monster.com and resumegenius.com.

1. First and foremost, the number one piece of advice was simply to be honest! The question concerning your time gap will most likely come up. Instead of dancing around it, advisers recommended being upfront and telling the truth. Raising your children, regardless of circumstances, is nothing to be ashamed of. Many employers are becoming more accepting, recognizing the work that goes into childrearing.
2. That being said, don't just state the blunt truth. While your job title may read "Stay at Home Mother," your skills can't be so simple. It’s a weird balance you have to achieve between stating the facts in a fancy, professional way without over exaggerating your time away from the traditional workforce. Instead of saying, “I can get a toddler to eat vegetables,” maybe try, “excellent negotiating skills.”  Or change, “always have a change of kid clothes and bandaids available” to “emergency preparedness.” Not only does this professionalize your experience but it could save space which is important in keeping a potential employer’s attention.
3. Keep it to a minimum. There is still a bit of taboo about adding the job title “stay at home mom” so in my personal resume, I am keeping the focus on that area short. I have listed the more major skills such as creative problem solving and organizing budgets, but I saved my more elaborate job details, the details the potential employer is really looking for, for my previous paid work experience.
4. The last, more helpful and less judgy, piece of advice I came across was to do what works for you. If you are getting call backs and interviews then something in your resume is obviously working. However, if you aren't getting any feedback, it may be time to switch things up and try something new.

My resume is still a work in progress and I am sure I will be editing again and again as I receive (or don't) feedback. I will be sure to update what ends up being my golden resume formula!

Have you recently returned to work or switched jobs? What resume advice would you offer to some one experiencing a large gap whether due to stay at home motherhood or simply unable to find work for a bit?

Seeing Stars

Do you ever make plans and then never get them done because SOMETHING always gets in the way? Whether it's going to the beach but its raining, or you need to pack to move but ran out of tape, or how about celebrate the Fourth of July and fall flat, and I mean flat, on your face breaking, your nose and teeth? Yea. Well that last one happened to me this year. Water balloons and booze and slippery sidewalks should have screamed DANGER!! But we laugh in the face of danger right? "Hahahaha!" Well guess who is laughing now. That's right. Danger is cackling so hard tears are falling, while I got stuck dazed and seeing stars.

After my ER visit

After the fall, all I could see was blood on concrete and I could hear a lot of concern and feet running. I was given an ice compress which quickly became saturated with disgustingness then rushed into my dad's truck with my husband and mom by my side. The ER waiting room gave me the time to calm my breathing, feel my broken teeth, and promptly freak out again. Once I got back to the exam room I actually stayed calm. X-rays were ordered and then we had to schedule a follow up with a specialist.

That appointment on Monday was fun. And by fun, just imagine being told that you need to have your first EVER surgery which includes being put under, which you have never EVER done before to have braces put on your mouth and your broken nose set and packed. Yea, time for this claustrophobic, control freak to panic again. I got through it though. I survived. Thank God and thanks to my awesome hubby who held my hand all the way through. Now I'm traveling to Nebraska from Florida with lovely black eyes and a stylish cast on my nose. 

A week has passed

That's right. All this happened right before the big family road trip half way across country. The good news is I don't have to worry about getting fat while eating gross fast food for the 1400 mile journey. I'm busy eating (or should I say drinking) soup, drinking juices, and sucking down those little baby food pouches (which are actually quite tasty with their random combinations of veggies and fruit). Although, I will admit the doughnuts the kids ate this morning looked WAY more DELICIOUS!!

 I have a new appointment with a new specialist scheduled for the first Tuesday in Nebraska. Hopefully, they can further correct my bite (because FOOD!) and they will say my nose is healing beautifully (because who wants the doctor to say your nose is jacked up!?) I am a teensy bit nervous they will be telling me more work will need to be done. I know my teeth will need some corrective procedures and I am NOT looking forward to those. But, I refuse to be negative (for long). Positivity can take you a LONG way and I will use it to get as far as I can.

So far our family road trip hasn't been too bad. The kiddos 

have been excellent. Can we get a big thank you to the road trip heavens for portable DVD players? And who knows, a post may show up later about tips in traveling with little ones (I discovered some fun ways to pass the time).

As for now, during this brief moment of quiet from the back seat, I will be enjoying a book from my lovely sister's audible account. Who knew audiobooks could actually be enjoyable and sometimes preferred?!

What a Babe!!

    Today I am taking it easy, since my body is trying its hardest to get sick, and that means playing in the blogosphere! While checking out one of my favorite blogs, The Daybook, I got some inspiration for writing!! (Gotta love when things just come to you when you're not even trying!!) The fabulous writer of The Daybook is a new mommy and making a trip to NYC with her son which got me to thinkin...

    Having a child so far away from family made me get use to traveling with him very quickly! Most of the time, the trips were in the car, which is nice and contained! Sure you have to stop to feed and change diapers and there may be some freakouts but at least its only affecting mommy and daddy. Now flying is a different story! What brand new mommy isn't scared of flying with their lil bundle of moodiness? Most of us have been on a plane trip with the screaming baby that all the passengers think the parent is horrible (which really is NOT the case at all). The idea can be terrifying! However, flying with your babe doesn't have to be scary!! I use 3, never travelled without, tips that got me through those small planes and short layovers (because when planning a trip with a babe, it is better to have shorter layovers than hours of waiting and no where to play).

   

My first is to travel with a baby sling! Both of your hands are free to lug around your carry on and overstuffed diaper bag plus it helps support and distribute your baby's weight so you don't get as achy rushing from plane to plane! My son also loved when I faced him forward in it so he could see everything.

Now mommies and daddies this doesn't mean you don't need to pay attention to your kiddo when he is attached to you!! Things can still go wrong in baby slings but it is mostly when the child is being neglected. So pay attention and make sure they are safe and secure!!

My next GINORMOUS lifesaver was a tip I got from my sis (actually I think most of my tips I get from her - after all she is now a mommy of three and I am a mommy of 1 and a half)! When flying as an adult it is advised that you have something to chew or suck on, like gum or hard candy. Well the same goes for your munchkin - just skip the gum and candy!

For take off and landing I would feed my lil man. This way he would constantly be sucking and swallowing which allowed his lil ears to pop and not hurt. I did, however, make a mistake one time and tried to breastfeed. On tiny planes, it just isn't fun. I got lucky and had a grandmother and mother sitting next to me who were completely understanding of my kid's feet all over them, but I never did it again...instead I pumped! Don't worry TSA is totally prepared for this, just be sure to have your bottles handy when going through security so they can wave a little strip over it. Then you're good to go!! And mommies of formula eaters, the same applies to you too, just premake the bottles and have 'em handy!!

My next tip isn't quite in your control but more of a blessing!! As soon as those great big engines started up, my lil man would pass out!! He loved the noise and the closer to the engines we sat the better. Not necessarily pleasant for mommy, but would you rather have a screaming, squirming child or an engine helping him sleep? I chose sleep and snuggles!!

Last tip (I know I said only 3 but one just popped into my noggin) is to RELAX! Your lil bundle of cuteness is bound to freak out eventually, especially if you're a frequent traveler. Just remember the flight attendants may be able to help. If the flight isn't full, they may be able to move you to a seat with more room. They may also have something tastier for baby to suck on if he is refusing your food of choice. All you have to do is ask! Also, remember to relax because, chances are, the majority of the passengers have been in your shoes! As long as you show an effort, they are typically understanding! In all my flights, I have only come across one (super) rude guy who made me feel awful but the rest of the people on the same flight ended up supporting me!!

So from now on remember flying with a babe doesn't have to be terrifying! Just do your best to be prepared and soak up all the compliments your lil one is sure to get!!

!!!Happy Traveling!!!