For parents around Ireland who are struggling every day to juggle career and home demands making the decision for one of the couple to stay home full time can seem like the best option. Especially when you factor in the cost of childcare!
Barbara Scully, journalist, broadcaster and stay home mother and Barbara McGrath, Director with Brightwater Recruitment & President of the National Recruitment Federation popped in to studio with Sean today to talk about making that difficult decision for one person to take on the home life full time and what should you do when you want to re enter the workplace.
How does it work with finances? How do you get back into the workplace? What about your identity? Do people really value the care work you do? How will it affect my confidence?
Listen back to the interview here:
Barbara Scully described how her interaction with her young children was all about hurrying up and stress in the home. Our listeners really related.
"Sean that woman just summed me and my wife's lifestyle ... Rush and stress."
"Oh my god, Barbara is describing my life! I decided to give up a job I loved because I was spending every evening getting ready for the next day and every weekend for the following week. But I so so miss the comraderie she spoke about. I am currently really wrestling with the who am I now bit."
Both women addressed how women returning to the work place can suffer a crisis of confidence:
"I'm one of those women. I'm 42 years of age and out of the work place for 8 at home with my children who are now 13 & 10. I am now terrified to go back to work. I would love to and I feel ready but feel employers won't look favourably on me as I'm not as up to date with computers and workforce as a twenty something. I was an underwriter and even the thought of an admin job is scarey. It's all about confidence and employers/agencies don't seem to be very encouraging. Colette"
"I had 3 children under the age of four and I stayed at home after 17years in the work force. I don't know how moms cope with returning promptly to full time! I get the attitude from many that staying at home is cups of coffee and swanning around with a buggy. People tell you it's the most important job but they don't mean it. I had to make a shift of identity but I'm still me. And me is ok!! Going back to paid employment in Sept after 8 years. Will miss you Sean!"
And it's not just women who stay at home taking care of the children:
"I am a stay at home dad for the last 6 years looking after my 3 girls - it was the best thing I ever did"."
