More than half of stay-at-home parents stop working longer than planned

More than half of stay-at-home parents stop working longer than plannedMore than half of stay-at-home parents stop working longer than plannedFlexJobssurveyed more than 900 stay-at-home parents (SAH parents) who are interested in going back to work to learn more about their experiencesand feelings during this often exciting and stressful time. For anyone in this situation, its common to wonder how other people handle going through the same thing. The responses to this survey offer interesting insights into this unique experience.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIn this wide-ranging survey, weasked SAH parents about how much time theyve spent out of the workforce (and how much theythoughttheyd spend) their reasons for becoming SAH parents and deciding to return to work whether theyve been doing any work-related activities while staying at home to raise children what sorts of work arrangements theyd prefer, and what their job search strategies will be for their return to the professional workforce.This survey also corresponds with anew resource weve created at FlexJobs to help stay-at-home moms (and dads) return to work through jobs with flexible work options. Our comprehensive guide covers everything from the experiences of other moms whove returned to work to job options to resumes, cover letters, bewerbungsinterviews, and networking advice specifically for stay-at-home parents. And its all with flexible and remote jobs in mindSurvey Results Stay-at-Home Parents on Exiting and Re-entering the WorkforceHow Much Time They Thought Theyd Take Vs. How Much Theyve TakenOne of the most interesting results of this survey is the comparison between how much time SAH parents thought theyd take when they exited the workforce versus how much time theyve actually taken.58% of SAH parents have taken more time away from work than expected.39% took a lot more time out of th eir careers than expected.Only 6% reportedly took less time than they expected.When they first went on leave, 27% of SAH parents werent sure at the beginning of leave how long theyd actually stay home. Twenty-two percent thought theyd take less than one year 23% anticipated 1-2 years away from work 14% planned for 2-5 years off 14% planned to take more than 5 years away from the workforce.Careers Before Kids and Staying Connected AfterThe survey also asked respondents about their careers before kids. When asked to describe their career levels, 9% said entry-level, 55% said experienced, 24% said manager-level, and 10% said, senior-level manager.That means that 34% of SAH parents opted out of manager-level or higher-level jobsThe top career fields of the SAH parents surveyed includedAdministrative 23%Data Entry 22%Customer tafelgeschirr 21%Education Training 15%Medical Health 13%Accounting Finance 12%Writing 12%Project Management 10%Marketing 10%Youth Children 9%Fifty-three percen t of SAH parents said they left paid full-time work entirely once they had kids and 7% left part-time jobs.ButSAH parents, on the whole, stayed committed to re-entering the workforce 76% stayed connected to their careers in some way, while only 24% completely disconnected from their previous careers.How did SAH parents stay connected to their careers? Fifty-two percent stayed in contact with colleagues and coworkers, 32% kept up with industry or professional news, 21% followed career-related experts on social media, and 17% learned new software and technology.Reasons for Exiting the Workforce After Becoming a ParentAll of the people surveyed worked before having children, but their reasons for leaving the workforce after becoming parents varied. Besides wanting to stay at home with their kids (65%),inflexible work arrangements and poor child-care options were the two biggest factorsin their decision to stay out of the workforce.I wanted to stay home with my kids 65%I wanted to conti nue working, but my job was too inflexible to accommodate my needs as a working parent 36%It wasnt possible to find affordable or quality child care 25%It made sense financially because my partners salary was higher 21%I was laid off from my job 13%My child(ren) had special needs that necessitated my staying home 12%Other reasons included relocation, homeschooling, their own personal health issues, and retirement.Staying Active While Staying at HomeWhile raising children is, of course, one of the most active roles out there, survey respondents have also participated in a number of activities during their time as SAH parents.Earning supplemental incomeFreelance projects (gigs or side projects) 34%MLM (multi-level marketing) sales like jewelry, cosmetics, clothing, etc. 11%Selling self-made crafts 5%Child care for others 7%Getting really good at certain skillsJuggling multiple competing priorities or multitasking (80%), problem-solving (78%), prioritizing (76%), time management (71%), organization (70%), communication (66%), and conflict resolution (63%).VolunteeringIn their child(ren)s classroom or school 70%At a local community nonprofit or charity 48%With the parent-teacher organization (PTO) or other school committees 32%At a virtual nonprofit or charity 14%Why Stay-at-Home Parents Return to WorkWhileincome is the primary motivation for SAH parents to return to work(85% said they want to earn income for their families), there are several important underlying factors that necessitate these returns.My family needs the income 56%I enjoy working and want to get back to my profession 45%My kids are less dependent now 40%I want to start a business 19%I became interested in a new career 13%Difficult life circumstances also play a roleIm experiencing a separation or divorce from my spouse 7%My spouse lost his or her job or is now unemployed 3%I experienced the loss of my spouse 2%One particular concern surrounds performing dual roles as parent and professional.We as ked respondents if they believed that they could be both a great professional and a great parent.A full 70% said yes, it isnt easy but they feel they can be both. Another 27% are hopeful they can be great in both areas. Only 3% said no, that something has to give in your professional or parental roles- you cant be great at both.The Ideal Return-to-Work Situation Flexible WorkSAH parents seem to be open to the possibilities in their return to work. A majority, 59%, said theyre open to changing careers, while 14% plan topursue a different career.Only 10% plan to return to their previous careers.More are interested in freelancing (40%) than being an employee (21%).Remote work is definitely the preferred work location of SAH parents only 13% want to work in an office or on-site, whereas90% want to work remotely (from home).When asked about their ideal work schedule, only 30% said theyd want to work full-time hours (40+ hours per week).Part-time hours are preferred (64%), as are flexible schedules (76%).Alternative hours are also in-demand with 31% of SAH parents interested in working outside traditional business hours. Sixty-seven percent would ideally like to work somewhere between 20 and 39 hours per week.What the Return to Work Will Be LikeEighty-eight percent of SAH parents are somewhat or very concerned about re-entering the workforce. Only 9% are not at all concerned. The good news is that the majority, 68%, know another stay-at-home parent whos gone back to work. Those connections can providehelpful support and guidance during a return.When asked, What barriers do you see in re-entering the workforce?, survey respondents saidDont want or cant be in an office full-time 59%Dont know how to find a job that fits my life 54%Dont know what I want to do for work 36%Dont know where to begin 34%Dont have networking contacts or havent stayed in contact with them 33%Not sure how to balance career and family 31%Need an updated or new resume 30%Dont want to go back to t he same career 27%Lack confidence 25%Local job market isnt great 22%Havent kept up my skills 23%Need guidance orcoaching 19%Commuting to work is prohibitive 17%Other barriers include the daunting task of organizing a new family routine, lack of support from a partner, and expired professional certifications.When it comes to salary, benefits, and length of the job search73% are somewhat or very concerned theyll have to take a pay cut.51% think theyll negotiate salary, benefits, or flexible work options after a job offer.50% said they anticipate starting at a lower level in their careers than when they left.29% arent sure how long it will take them to re-enter the workforce 22% think it will take 3-4 months of job searching 18% said 1-2 months 13% said 5-6 months 19% said more than 6 months.Stay-at-home parents are planning to do the following as part of their job searchSearching online job boards or listings 93%Research companies online 72%Asking friends and family for help 48%Networ king with professionals in my target career or industry 47%Having myresume reviewed or written 37%Attending webinars or online events for job search advice 33%Other job search activities include having informational interviews to learn about potential careers or jobsworking with a career coach or counselor conducting a mock job interview and getting help through their colleges alumni services.Demographics and DetailsSurvey results were collectedin December 2018 and January 2019 with 934 total responses.Age of Respondents19 years or younger 1% 2029 6% 3039 33% 4049 39% 5059 15.% 6069 4% 70 or older 1%GenerationGen Z 2% Millennial/Gen Y 22% Gen X 55% Baby Boomer 14% The Silent Generation 7%Mom or Dad90% identified as moms 10% identified as dadsPhoto Credit bigstockphoto.comThis article first appeared on Flex Jobs.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from B enjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people