Scared to re enter workforce after 4 years!

HI everyone,

I quit my career as a solicitor 4 years ago to be a SAHM because my DH's job is very demanding and he is away up to 6-8 months of the year. It would have been a nightmare trying to work full time with a child without family to help me.

Anyway, I just got offered a part time job, 2 days a week doing admin (I know, I went to Uni for 6 years, my Mum has already blasted me, lol) for a 3 month contract. It would be good for me to get out of the house for a couple of days a week and to get some cash together to fund our seemingly inevitable IVF journey but i'm TERRIFIED!! I feel so stupid now and Im so scared of making a fool of myself and not being able to do things that were once a breeze its not funny. I know i put a lot of pressure on myself, which is probably why I was so successful academically, but being a Mum has challenged me in so many ways that it has made me question myself.

I totally get that.

I was out of the workforce for 11 years, I felt exactly the same way as you. When I first went back it was terrifying. Once I went back it was fine, it all came flooding back. I acutally found I was more productive if anything.

Just take the plunge, you'll get back there and it'll be like you never left. Good luck xx

I'm dreading the day I go back to work, whenever that is...

I'm sure you'll be fine and it will be like Tinks said... like you never left. Good luck!

Placenta dementia leaves us women questioning our abilities. But 100's of women successfully go back to work after 12 months, 3 years, 10 years, or more. It WILL all come back to you. You might have new things to learn, but i guarantee it wont be as bad as you imagine. In fact i am sure you will find admin a breeze with a law degree under your belt.

I will be a good 6 or 7 years out of the job when i go back to work, and i am sure i will be crapping my dacks about it too. But the truth is, your not suddenly stupid because you popped out a baby. Sure your brain might have had to use a few different parts for a couple of years, but surely that just means the other parts are well rested and ready to get back into it?!

My mum had 10 years off, and now she's at the top of her field. Plenty of other women out there like her. You'll be great! :)

Thanks ladies. Im glad i'm not the only one who feels so inept!

Placenta dimentia - i'd never heard that before, hahahaha!

OMG you sound exactly like me!! I was also a solicitor and have been out of the workforce for three years and I have a job interview.... in one hour! I am soooo nervous and majorly doubting my abilities. I really should get off the puter and go and get ready though. Eeeeek!!

Being out of the workforce for any reason can really shake your confidence. Although it is scary you will probably find that you really enjoy the mental stimulation. It is probably a good choice to go into something less demanding for a while and get the feel of being back in the workforce without the pressure, and I have always found that feeling needed in the workforce is really good at boosting my self esteem. Good luck with it!

And BUN - hope you interview went really well too!