Life Happens.....Are You Prepared?

[Suzy Stauffer]

I started a new part time job yesterday. It is not my dream job.......but, in this economy it is needed steady income. Luckily some of my dreams have come true--this just isn't one of them. I used to think once you went to college you would be well on your way to a great career that would last forever. Some where along the way we become mothers and have to make a difficult choice. Do we step out of the game and stay home with our kids, risking years of lost income and our financial independence? Or do we continue to have a career and put our kids in daycare so that we don't lose our place in the world?

As many of us have stepped out of the game to raise our children--we find it difficult to get back in the game. What does it take to re-enter the workforce and honor our skills and talents? We need to find out as the world is changing and our children are growing up fast.

Women today also experience loss through grief and divorce. Many moms are not prepared for such a dramatic change in their life. I think we can be prepared and should be prepared while we are in the midst of raising our kids.

Today's world is changing--most of us need additional income, we need support and we need to be prepared for life changing on us. Our kids will not be young forever and we will be back in the game again---This is where I hope Beyond the Bus Stop comes in to help. A place where moms can unite, support one another, offer resources and services that will help each of us succeed and be prepared for changes that will occur.

Are you prepared?

-----Original Message-----

[Annette M. Boulden]

Thanks Suzy :-)

[Suzy Stauffer]

Annette-- So many women can relate and I am glad you are sharing it with us. It is scary to be in a place in life that you did not expect. You are a beautiful and bright woman---Keep focused on taking care of your health and getting up each day ready to do what you need to do in order to move forward. We all need each other--and support one another----

[Annette M. Boulden]

WOW! Exactly what I am going through. A lot of loss with recent divorce, loss of job and trying to reinvent myself and figure out what to do!! I am suffering from depression, and I push through to work out 4-5 days per week, go to a job I d not like 12 hrs per week and, take care of my kids per our agreement. I lost my own place so I see them less, and that is a HUGE loss. Every day I think I cannot believe I am here in this place, and without my mother, my best friend who passed away 4 yrs ago. I am digging deep into myself to do as much as I can.I have so many hopes and dreams for myself and my kids. It is a scary place for me to be right now.

[Marisol Berrios, M.A.]

Great post. Ladies, we on this journey together. As a career counselor and mother of 3 I know the challenges you are facing and believe me it's not easy. Now is the time to think about the importance of "reinventing yourself" during these difficult life transitions. I encourage you if you are out of work to consider volunteering so that you keep yourself in the professional loop, you give back to your community but it begins to open networking doors. Remember 80% of the jobs that do exist are uncovered through networking. Continue to be part of social networks like this one, check out www.waggleforce.com and most of all embrace these transitions as an opportunity to renew...transform and reinvent yourself. Don't forget to seek spiritual guidance it definitely works! For those that are working moms, remember your kids know you love them. Continue to reassure them and make sure you have your mommy/child times even if you're tired. My fellow entrepreneurs, starting a business is very hard...I know. Don't give up! Keep on striving and seeking creative opportunities for success. For those that are juggling it all due to divorce and/or layoffs stay focused and remember that God loves you and He'll give you the peace that surpasses all understanding. Just when you think there's no way out of your situation He makes a way...if only we believe. Ladies remember you are blessed women!

[Niki Jacob]

Im trying, my only child is only 5 and work a full time job, I always feel like Im neglecting her because I come home exhausted and overwhelmed from work, thats why Im trying to build my own webdesign/hosting company so hopefully I can be home when she is done school and not have her stay at a daycare until 6pm. I have a year to do it... I need to make about 30k in one year on my side job will it happen, I doubt it but thats why I joined this site maybe if we all help each other with referrals and networking, us moms can be there for our kids.

[Mirdza Hayden]

Yes, I am prepared. As stay at home moms we definitley need to be prepared for when we need to start working again. That is why I am building a homebased network marketing business. It keeps me and my family healthy as I create a strong business that will eventually cover all the expenses we have after my husband retires. My goal is to have that happen when my husband turns 50, which is in 4 years. I continue to connect with people and present the opportunity. Some say no, some say maybe later this year, some don't answer, some are very interested and intrigued. My job is to simply present the opportunity, and then work with those that are interested.

So, am I prepared? Yes, I am. Iam steadily building my business as I homeschool my kids. My kids are happy and relaxed, and so am I. If anything happens, I will be financially secure and I will have skills and a strong team to keep me home without having to worry about looking for a part-time job to make ends meet.

[Sue Gunderson]

OMG did this post hit me straight up!! I just read this post while sitting at my computer doing a job search because I lost my job 4 weeks ago! Plus I went through a divorce less than 2 years ago! The saying about "The only constant thing in life is change" is absolutely true. What has helped me get through these major planned and unplanned changes in my life? My bff, my bf, my awesome kids, and my family. And most importantly my confidence and faith in myself. While I often feel I'm walking a thin line between my sanity and insanity I continue to focus on the really good things I have in my life. This focus helps me keep a positive attitude. A positive attitude, personal strength, confidence and faith plus my people support system is what will get me through my current situation. Each of us can get through any situation as long as we believe in ourselves.

[Rosemarie C. Miller]

Suzy and Gayle - I completely agree!! Even though we make conscious choices to 'change,' sometimes change comes from unexpected, unplanned places too. And both sources of 'change' cause stress and difficulty. I've experienced this, many times! I would often use the excuse 'life gets in the way' when it came to taking good care of myself physically and even emotionally, and indeed, life DOES get in the way! But the ultimate challenge, and the ultimate reward, is being focused and disciplined enough to not get completely off track when those curve balls come at us, but instead to be flexible, strong, motivated and inspired to keep going. Taking good care of YOU means that you will be better prepared to hit that curve ball out of the park!

[Gayle H. Stauffer]

The important thing is to develop good coping skills along the way because life will keep changing as you get older and sometimes life throws you a curve ball when you least suspect it. Gayle