Networking

I have been told by a number of people that I need to network. The group I've finally chosen is called Linkedin.

If you're a stay-at-home mom, you can use the site to reconnect with long-lost friends or to stay in touch with former colleagues. You might even be able to find a job you can do from home.

For those of you trying to get back out into the workforce (or maybe you're already out there), this site is amazing. I didn't really realize its exponential quality until I was looking through the job postings the other day. I have a number of connections in my network who then have other connections who then have other connections, etc. A friend of one of my connections has 400 other connections! That's a lot of people. Anyway, as I was looking through the job postings, Linkedin would show me the number of connections I had at the company in question. Suddenly I'm connected! I know people who know everyone.

There are also special interest groups you can join at Linkedin. Are you a teacher? A writer? Do you have an interest in Japan or horses? There's a group for you. In fact, there are so many possibilities that it's difficult to decide which groups to join.

Make sure to give Linkedin a try. I would highly recommend it.

Returning to the Work Force

Well, my terrific new preschool is now officially defunct. I had to finally face facts when September came around and I still didn't have any students. Since I closed the daycare in preparation for my new endeavor, I am now jobless.

So I am in transition. Returning to work after years of home-schooling is at once daunting and exhilarating. My youngest daughter is now begging to go to preschool and other than the soaring prices of childcare, there is not really any reason why I shouldn't work during the day. The only big question is what I can do that pays enough to afford the childcare? I'm working on it.

In any case, while I am cooling my heels at home, awaiting the enormous influx of calls, I have decided to get back to writing. The luxury of free time should not be wasted!