Make SAHMing look good ;)

[AniellasMommy]

I'm filling out applications for scholarships because I'm going back to school part-time. One asks to list "accomplishments" for the last 4 years. (I've ben home for almost 6.) What would you put? How would you answer the same question for a job interview? What skills and talents have you acquired while being a SAHM that you can brag about?

[zinemama]

I wouldn't try to dress up being a sahm as anything other than what it is: full-time childrearing. I'd put, "successfully raised a human being from birth to age four, full-time."

But I think it's a mistake to try to come up with fancy sounding skills (you hear "domestic engineer" tossed around sometimes.) I guess you could mention knowledge of child development, first aid (if applicable), multi-tasking.

But really: either they get it or they don't.

[Tigerchild]

I've found that employers and scholarship people get really annoyed with people trying to fluff stuff up that isn't there. It's a fine line to walk, because if you imply that somehow being a SAHM means that you have actually raised your child and WOHM do not--well, if it's a WOHM reading that bit it isn't going to be impressive to her.

I'm not sure if you are involved in any moms groups or anything--my kids are school age now, and because of their school program (I'm on the board for it) and being very active in the PTA (also on that board), I can point to a few organizational accomplishments that I'm really proud of. But even as a mom to toddlers I got involved in school readiness groups and a co-op toddler group (my first board experience).

I think you really need to look at what YOU are most proud of. *Specifics*, not generalities. Have you been passionate about learning about child development, and this has influenced your decision to go back to school? Have you been bitten by the sustainable living/real food advocacy and activism, and you've been working hard to translate it pragmatically to your family and community, and that has influenced you about going back to school? Well, that's something you could write about.

Why do you want to go back to school? Do you have an idea for what course/certificate/degree that you are leaning to? I think if you look hard at that, you will see what you have been up to in the past few years that have kept your interest alive in that, or what peaked your interest in that even during your busy life with your kids. That's what you want to write about, not how much your cleaning routine has changed your life, ect.