Is there a Job Description that I can put on my resume for a "Stay-at-home mom?"

I have been a stay-at-home mom for almost 11 years and I am going to apply for a part-time job. My resume is updated with my last company I worked at but I didn't know if there was an actual job description for a "Stay-at-home mom"? I thought something cute or funny would be good since we do soo many things (i.e. Taxi driver, cook, etc.) Please help! Thanks!

"Domestic Engineer"

"Domestic Engineer." Didn't Roseanne describe her occupation that way?

What's wrong with "homemaker" It's the truth. There's no shame in it. Besides, as a homemaker you've collected a ton of transferable skills to sell on your resume. Here are a few: Budgeting. Organizing. Priority Setting. Planning. Purchasing. Elaborate on these skills while being sure you work in current industry keywords. Don't forget volunteerism.

Good luck with your job search.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: "Domestic Engineer." Didn't Roseanne describe her occupation that way?

What's wrong with "homemaker" It's the truth. There's no shame in it. Besides, as a homemaker you've collected a ton of transferable skills to sell on your resume. Here are a few: Budgeting. Organizing. Priority Setting. Planning. Purchasing. Elaborate on these skills while being sure you work in current industry keywords. Don't forget volunteerism.

Good luck with your job search.

I like to use the title "Director of Health, Education and Welfare".

A stay at home mom is not a job - sorry, but to the point. Years ago the term homemaker was used.

I would list your jobs in dated order. Then have a section for qualifications or experience, and list the things you have done that pertain to the job market (such as scheduling appointments, budget management, bill payment).

A Stay-At-Home-Mom is more than a full time job requiring incredible, long-term self sacrifice, commitment, patience, stamina, adaptability to change and a multitude of valuable, marketable skills such as the following adapted from the top ten listed by "salary.com": Chief Executive Officer, Educator, Councillor/Psychologist, Household Manager (including housekeeping, laundry, building maintenance and gardening), Cook, First Aid, and Driver. In 2009 a Stay-At-Home-Mom, on average, contributes the equivalent value of an employee earning a salary of US$122,732.00 annually. Any employer that would discredit these abilities by claiming that having been a Stay-At-Home-Mom was not having a 'job' would not be an employer that I would consider working for. They clearly have misplaced values and due to their lack of insight would lose out on an opportunity to gain a valuable team member capable of contributing immensely to their company. I will soon be seeking full time employment and I will certainly include 'Stay-At-Home-Mom' in the past employment section of a resume including a detailed description of the aforementioned attributes and skills and will stand confident and proud, on principle, in any interview.

I don't want to sound mean - but don't try to give yourself more credibility than you have. You have children and stayed at home. Period. Don't give yourself glory for the so-called sacrifices you made.

We all balance checkbooks. We all have to maintain our homes. We all play psychiatrist at some point or another, whether it be a sister, friend, or a child.

A Stay-At-Home-Mom is more than a full time job requiring incredible, long-term self sacrifice, commitment, patience, stamina, adaptability to change and a multitude of valuable, marketable skills such as the following adapted from the top ten listed by "salary.com": Chief Executive Officer, Educator, Councillor/Psychologist, Household Manager (including housekeeping, laundry, building maintenance and gardening), Cook, First Aid, and Driver. In 2009

Really now. So what.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: I don't want to sound mean - but don't try to give yourself more credibility than you have. You have children and stayed at home. Period. Don't give yourself glory for the so-called sacrifices you made.

We all balance checkbooks. We all have to maintain our homes. We all play psychiatrist at some point or another, whether it be a sister, friend, or a child.

A Stay-At-Home-Mom is more than a full time job requiring incredible, long-term self sacrifice, commitment, patience, stamina, adaptability to change and a multitude of valuable, marketable skills such as the following adapted from the top ten listed by "salary.com": Chief Executive Officer, Educator, Councillor/Psychologist, Household Manager (including housekeeping, laundry, building maintenance and gardening), Cook, First Aid, and Driver. In 2009

Really now. So what.

Yes, you do want to sound mean, unaccepting and judgemental... Learning and personal development can come from many sources not just from regular academic programming, post-secondary education and specific job experience. In the end, most, if not all of us, work to survive and provide ourselves and our families with the necessities for survival. Whether these services are provided directly or indirectly by someone who receives a salary for specialized skills to pay for the same services (such as day care) is a matter of personal choice. Both have value and all mothers, stay-at-home or working, make sacrifices and are commendable. Our culture as a whole should do more to uphold and celebrate the value of mothers within our society.

Girl, I am about as accepting and non-judgmental as they come. Definitely.

There is a world of difference between the skills provided in the home and in the market place. The skills provided at home are for personal development and really have no way to be evaluated on a professional level.

On the other hand, you can go to an interview and give yourself glory, make your best impression, say how you organized a little league team, or whatever. That is where you get your opportunity to make an impression, at the interview.

But don't equate what you do in the home, which is exactly the same as everyone does in a home, as comparative to the skill levels provided in a job.

Job skill levels are set up by a job description and evaluated by someone (manager). An employee starts at a certain skill level and works to achieve that level and be compensated and rewarded, and to be promoted to the next level. A homemaker works for personal needs of her family - the same as every other mother.

I do not have kids. I am 51 (surprised?) I have three college degrees - and yes, unemployed. My mother stayed at home (but she was a lazy as sheet).

But don't come on here, when everything you have done was self serving, and try to compare what you do in the home as comparative to a worker trying to go up the corporate ladder.

to mary:
i am a stay at home mom, and am offended by your comments. everyone's circumstances may be different, but for you to underestimate what some of us do on a daily basis, infuriates me. i would love to go back to the workplace. even though i had my stressful and very busy days then, it is absolutely nothing compared to what i do all day, morning, noon and night,(not 9-5) at my household. i highly doubt you could handle what i do. i even have moments where i wish i could just go to work so i wouldn't have to deal with my household.granted, my household is not your average or typical one, but you have no idea what some of us may go through in a day. it sounds like you don't appreciate what your mother did for you, and maybe she deserves that, but you can't generalize all of us stay at home moms, because of what she did or didn't do. no offense, but it also sounds like you have psychological issues with your mom, maybe you should seek therapy. i'd offer you my services, but i'm booked!
p.s. i hope you are not in management or hr., because if so, that may explain why you are unemployed. while one must keep it professional, it's okay to have some compassion and understanding, those are two traits that would help you out in the workplace.

You stay at home moms can be offended all you want. My comments are solely, you made a choice, to get married, have children, and stay at home to raise them.

You got a wonderful opportunity to have a husband with a secure job and the financial ability for you to have that opportunity. I would have given anything to even get married, have children, and stay at home to raise them too.

I am not particularly pretty. I never even got married nor had children. I have to support myself. I have three college degrees, now 51, and unemployed.

Maybe I should seek therapy? Maybe you should get a reality check. Now that your financial situation has changed, you have no right, nor expectation, that ANY EMPLOYER will compare your stay at home duties to someone who has been in the workforce for even a few years.

Your comments remind me a lot of those who get NO college education, and then spend all their time arguing how they are just as educated or qualified for a job as someone who did get an education. I've heard plenty of that argument too.

Again, you made choices, and there was nothing wrong with those choices. But now that you want or need to work, don't compare your stay at home choices with those of someone who has been in the workforce.

You are all familiar with the term entry level jobs? If you have no education, no college degree, no special training, no special skills, no friends to give you a job, then you qualify for an entry level job.

Girl, you ranted on and on. Just what do you do that is so SPECIAL as a mom?

I see both sides of the coin on this one, but quite frankly I agree much more with Mary. I have two associates both of whom got married and had kids and decided not to work, which was their choice. Now that things have changed financially in both situations they have this air of expectation that they are owed a job. One of them had an interview this past Wednesday and was angry that someone with on the job experience and a college degree ended up getting the job. She plainly stated and I quote, "I should have gotten the job because I am a well respected mother."

But yeah I respect all mothers and those mothers that work outside the home, but this sense of entitlement from "some" stay at home moms astounds me. No one is owed anything.

WOW!! I am amazed, to say the least. I am currently a stay-at-home mother. I left Active duty Air Force when I had my second child. I didn't want to get deployed with two little ones left behind (my husband is also Active Duty, so we could have been deployed at the same time). When I chose to leave the military I didn't plan on being a SAHM, I planned on returning to school to earn a degree and get back into the work force. My GI bill covered school, but not childcare expenses so my education has been taking longer than expected. We move....alot NC-FL-WA-SC in five years. I haven't earned my degree yet but with my oldest in school now, we should be able to cover childcare for our youngest and still bring home a little extra income. I am not looking for employment that is not deserved or earned. I am wanting to know how I should account for the past three years of missing work on my resume.

With that said, I will add that after being a full time working civilian, then an active duty soldier, then an active duty soldier/mother, then a stay at home mother. The stay at home mother is the toughest job by far, hands down. I look at basic training as a vacation now : )

Amazed, you tell them you were in the service, on active duty with the Air Force, then you became pregnant with your second child, and that that point you felt you had served your country well and now it was time to take care of your family.

There is no need to explain why you haven't worked in three years. That's obvious. If someone should ask, you just had the baby and you needed to be there in her most important years.

If you're still working on that degree, the University of West Florida has some online degrees. I took my teacher certification course through them. I plan to do my Master's that way.

Mary is dead on here, realistic and certainly not 'mean'

1) SAHM does not need a job description to put on a resume. This is ridiculous.

2) Any hiring manager with the slightest bit of sense knows what it entails, and understands the challenges, struggles and skillset needed to raise kids.

3) What about a SAHM with one child? Is that REALLY difficult enough to sell as the 'toughest job hands down'?

4) PARENTING IS A CHOICE AND A RESPONSIBILITY, NOT A JOB.

My own mother worked 2 FT jobs and raised 3 kids on her own. It doesn't make her any more valuable of an AP/AR clerk than the next one. It just makes her a star in my eyes, the true 'paycheck' for mothers.

Anyone who works full time, or part time, and has to raise a child - God will have a special place in Heaven for you. It is tough. I know that.

As far as Stay-at-home mothering, there is a giant assumption being made. You assume that all stay-at-home moms, particularly those with a professional background, wholly remove themselves from professionally challenging tasks. Being a full time mother can open the door to opportunities that first shift working individuals, do not have the availability to participate. Restructuring a PTA organization, volunteering on fundraising committees that amount to tens of thousands of dollars in revenue, or founding a grassroots organization to bring awareness to bullying are all activities that possess a strong professional value. I know that currently, I am FAR busier, and in a significant way, than I ever was before I was a parent. I know that I do more than many other mothers, but that also adds to what I can bring to the table. Now, the nay-sayers out there are most likely the type of employees and parents that assume that you stick with the bare minimum. If that is the case, I agree that washing dishes, balancing check books, and scrubbing floors is probably not relevant experience for ... say, an accountant. Anyone with half a brain can do that. Fortunately, you will find that there are thousands of SAHMs with FULL FUNCTIONING brains, that put their professional skill sets to use without pay. Maybe everyone could use to take that lesson, whether it be volunteering or just using more than half your brain (not naming any names).

The stay at home moms of today are much different than the traditional stay at home moms of a generation ago. Today, homemakers or domestic engineers or whatever cutesy label you deem necessary to apply, need to be extremely talented to be successful. Here are a few metrics to measure performance: A) How are your children performing in school?; B) How successful was the last school/team fundraiser you participated in?; C) Do other parents/administrators/coaches rely on you regularly? If so, how would they describe your role/effort?

When considering your transferable skills, you have to take into consideration the many hats you currently wear and what your contribution is to the success of each activity you participate. Then, articulate these successes to your target audience to position for your next employment opportunity.

Choosing to be a stay-at-home mom is choosing a career. Although I don't get paid to do my "job", it is the most important job I will ever have. Raising my children and not sending them to a daycare facility is honorable in my eyes. The time I share with my children and the values and morals I instill in them during these precious years are irreplacable. I go to college full time in the evenings for Elementary Education, so when my children enter school, I will be able to go back to work. My last class before I graduate in January requires that I put together a resume. I find myself wondering what I should put on my resume because the last five years I have been a homemaker. However, I don't see my skill sets any less credible than that of someone working in an office. If I had been an administrative assistant for the past five years, I surely would put what the job demanded of me. Why would I not do that as a stay-at-home mom regardless if I put my job responsibilities were budgeting household finances, being able to create schedules, excellent abilitiy to multi-task, and all the various volunteer activities I may have been involved in. There are many jobs that require less of people than a stay-at-home mom. I have acquired a wide range of necessary skills being a stay-at-home mom that will help me when I enter the "career" field again. I believe being a stay-at-home mom should be considered as any other job on a resume based on the experience and responsibilities that a person has. I don't see why a job title of stay-at-home mom would be inadequate. The only reason it is different is because stay-at-home moms are not paid with money. I have to tell you though that being a stay-at-home mom has been the most rewarding job and no amount of money would have me change my mind. I guess it all depends on where your values are. To me, being my children's first teacher is the MOST IMPORTANT JOB I WILL EVER HAVE.

Let me ask a question? How come in today's society staying at home and raising your children is not valued? Because we are not paid with money? I guess it would be better to have children and pay someone else to take care of them while I go to work to make enough money for someone else to raise them. Isn't that kind of silly? I realize there are situations where staying at home is not an option, but if someone chooses to, why are they be valued any less in the work field. After all, it is a job and a very imporant one.

mary in Tampa, Florida said: You stay at home moms can be offended all you want. My comments are solely, you made a choice, to get married, have children, and stay at home to raise them.

You got a wonderful opportunity to have a husband with a secure job and the financial ability for you to have that opportunity. I would have given anything to even get married, have children, and stay at home to raise them too.

I am not particularly pretty. I never even got married nor had children. I have to support myself. I have three college degrees, now 51, and unemployed.

Maybe I should seek therapy? Maybe you should get a reality check. Now that your financial situation has changed, you have no right, nor expectation, that ANY EMPLOYER will compare your stay at home duties to someone who has been in the workforce for even a few years.

Your comments remind me a lot of those who get NO college education, and then spend all their time arguing how they are just as educated or qualified for a job as someone who did get an education. I've heard plenty of that argument too.

Again, you made choices, and there was nothing wrong with those choices. But now that you want or need to work, don't compare your stay at home choices with those of someone who has been in the workforce.

You are all familiar with the term entry level jobs? If you have no education, no college degree, no special training, no special skills, no friends to give you a job, then you qualify for an entry level job.

Girl, you ranted on and on. Just what do you do that is so SPECIAL as a mom?

I agree Mary.

You are missing the point. I do have a college education so that's a bunch of junk. The point is my job is no less valuable than someone elses. Just because I don't get paid doesn't mean that my job is not relevant enough to post on a resume. There are jobs that require much less than what I do at home. What do I do that is SO SPECIAL as a mom? That is the most ridiculous question. I raise my OWN children instead of paying someone else to do so. For all of you who don't think that is valuable or special, you need to do some reevaluating. Like I stated about, I understand that many women are not in a positing to stay at home with their children; however, those women who are able to should not be discredited. Yes, I chose to stay home, again like I stated, that was my JOB choice. Again, the only reason you believe it is not worthy is because I don't get paid. The job tasks that I have far outdo many of the careers people have. I was a Senior Associate at a bank before I had children and have continued my education. The idea that mothers who stay home are mindless and do nothing is absolutely absurd. Before you respond, read what was written because your words are irrelevant. Write your own comments instead of being mindless and using someone elses.

Gone are the days of chief cook and bottle washer. I am the CEO. I have the ultimate management responsibility for the family. I report directly to the Board of Director (the husband), which is accountable to the company's owners (The Father, Son and Holy Ghost). It is my responsibility as the chief executive officer to align the family, internally and externally, with the strategic vision (God’s plan for our lives). I am the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). I am responsible for handling funds, signing checks, keeping financial records, and financial planning for the family. I am an experienced accountant who directs internal accounting programs, including cost accounting, systems and procedures, data processing, acquisitions analysis, and financial planning. I also have internal audit responsibilities. I am concerned with the receipt, custody, investment, and disbursement of family funds for borrowings and the maintenance of a market for the of a market for the family’s financial security. I also function as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). I manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the home. I am responsible for the development, design, operation, and improvement of the family. I maintain proper management of resources and ensure the distribution of goods and services to customers. This could be found in Proverbs 31. When I applied for job after years of not working outside the home, I did put on my resume and job application all that I did as a SAHM. I received three job offers and took the highest paying job. I was an administrative assistant to the Director of Parks and Recreation and received kudos for putting that I was a SAHM on my application.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Girl, I am about as accepting and non-judgmental as they come. Definitely.

There is a world of difference between the skills provided in the home and in the market place. The skills provided at home are for personal development and really have no way to be evaluated on a professional level.

On the other hand, you can go to an interview and give yourself glory, make your best impression, say how you organized a little league team, or whatever. That is where you get your opportunity to make an impression, at the interview.

But don't equate what you do in the home, which is exactly the same as everyone does in a home, as comparative to the skill levels provided in a job.

Job skill levels are set up by a job description and evaluated by someone (manager). An employee starts at a certain skill level and works to achieve that level and be compensated and rewarded, and to be promoted to the next level. A homemaker works for personal needs of her family - the same as every other mother.

I do not have kids. I am 51 (surprised?) I have three college degrees - and yes, unemployed. My mother stayed at home (but she was a lazy as sheet).

But don't come on here, when everything you have done was self serving, and try to compare what you do in the home as comparative to a worker trying to go up the corporate ladder.

Mary I get what you are saying, but really why be so nasty to these women that are just trying to find work outside of the home? Why try and bash their hopes? Everyone here has been rational and calm except you. Really is all of the negativity necessary?

mary in Tampa, Florida said: You stay at home moms can be offended all you want. My comments are solely, you made a choice, to get married, have children, and stay at home to raise them.

You got a wonderful opportunity to have a husband with a secure job and the financial ability for you to have that opportunity. I would have given anything to even get married, have children, and stay at home to raise them too.

I am not particularly pretty. I never even got married nor had children. I have to support myself. I have three college degrees, now 51, and unemployed.

Maybe I should seek therapy? Maybe you should get a reality check. Now that your financial situation has changed, you have no right, nor expectation, that ANY EMPLOYER will compare your stay at home duties to someone who has been in the workforce for even a few years.

Your comments remind me a lot of those who get NO college education, and then spend all their time arguing how they are just as educated or qualified for a job as someone who did get an education. I've heard plenty of that argument too.

Again, you made choices, and there was nothing wrong with those choices. But now that you want or need to work, don't compare your stay at home choices with those of someone who has been in the workforce.

You are all familiar with the term entry level jobs? If you have no education, no college degree, no special training, no special skills, no friends to give you a job, then you qualify for an entry level job.

Girl, you ranted on and on. Just what do you do that is so SPECIAL as a mom?

You sound completely bitter Mary. How dare you come here and act like some know it all, all the while tearing down these ladies? I would never dream of saying the rude, and negative things that you spout out. Everyone is going to need a hand at some point and that hand should be patient, understanding, positive, and motivating. But you on the other hand are clearly bitter.

[quote]I do not have kids. I am 51 (surprised?) I have three college degrees - and yes, unemployed. My mother stayed at home (but she was a lazy as sheet).

Whose fault is that Mary? Are you envious of these ladies here that are married and have the wonderful blessings of having kids? Stop being so catty and bitter.

Lots of people are unemployed and that seems to be your whole talk. You are not the only one in a tough situation. But positivity goes a lot further than the negativity.

To all of you mothers here I wish you nothing but the best in finding work. I value a good strong woman with a good head on her shoulders and the willingness to succeed. Don't let negative downers stop you. Being a mother is a very important job and is special, no matter what anyone else says.

hi mary,

the best way to deal with this in my experience is to start volunteering somewhere relevant in the field you want to enter or re-enter. you will be helping out your community and getting current and relevant skills. best of all you will eliminate the employment gap.

blog.hrinmotion.com/topics/ask-hrim/employment-gaps/

Mother of 2 w/ 1 on the way in Dover, Delaware said: Let me ask a question? How come in today's society staying at home and raising your children is not valued? Because we are not paid with money? I guess it would be better to have children and pay someone else to take care of them while I go to work to make enough money for someone else to raise them. Isn't that kind of silly? I realize there are situations where staying at home is not an option, but if someone chooses to, why are they be valued any less in the work field. After all, it is a job and a very imporant one.

I value it very much. But I do get what you are saying. I think there are some on these forums that need to deal with their bitterness and anger over not having a job instead of dissing stay at home mothers trying to re-enter the workforce. It's people like that who poison society with their vile and crude thinking. It's no wonder they remain unemployed........

I think stay at home moms are great. There are all kings of valuable skills they learn just by raising a family. I have the utmost respect for mothers.

Thank you for your responses. I am graduating in January with my bachelor's degree and going into the master's program for Elementary Education while I am still home with my preschoolers. I find that as a stay at home mother people tend to look down upon what I do for a living even though I am providing childcare and running a household. It is reassuring to hear that there are other people who still value a woman who decides to be a homemaker. I know that I will be at a disadvantage reentering the workfield and do not expect handouts. However, I feel that my job at home is credible and deserves to be acknowledged as a job rather than a waste of time. The comment someone made about staying at home being self serving and for own personal growth is absolute nonsense. There is nothing self serving about staying home and raising children. Again, thank you for your supportive responses.