I’ve decided to leave my career and stay home with my children for the summer.

Anonymous

May 17,2022 at 1:16PM UTC

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I’ve decided to leave my career and stay home with my children for the summer. I’ve worked for 21 years straight and am burnout to the point where I’ve lost focus, and can’t disconnect and be present with my family bc of anxiety about work. Im wondering when I start looking again in the fall if employers will frown on the 3-6 mo gap or if positioning this as a sabbatical is more appropriate.

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AnonymousMay 17,2022 at 1:57PM UTC
I wouldn't worry about the gap, especially with the new focus on mental health. Enjoy your time and decompress.
AnonymousMay 17,2022 at 2:00PM UTC
A 3-6 month gap isn't the worst thing, some employers will still frown upon it but it is becoming less taboo. On LinkedIn you can even "Add Career Breaks" into your profile to which Full Time Parenting and Health/well being are both options. Now if you aren't comfortable putting it on there you don't have to of course but as long as you can demonstrate that you have the skills to do the job that short of a gap shouldn't matter.
I have said before "I took the time to learn more about myself and realign my goals for the career I am pursuing."
You can always say it was full time parenting or for mental health. Some companies will react better than others. Personally, the ones that react well to those statements are generally ones I want to work for.
AnonymousMay 17,2022 at 2:13PM UTC
No specific advise on your question but good luck! It sounds like the right thing to do for yourself and that’s great you are able to do that.
Gigi DevanneyMay 17,2022 at 2:22PM UTC
depends on your field, but a 3 month gap is not worthy of even mentioning imo. And if you are asked, you had family obligations... etc., That those family obligations are your own mental health etc., is no one's business but yours.
RiaMay 17,2022 at 2:27PM UTC
A 21 year work record - no one will bat an eye at the 3-6 month gap.
Explain you had personal issues to tend to and are now refreshed and ready to reenter the workforce.
Georgene HuangMay 17,2022 at 2:28PM UTC
I agree with this!
AnonymousMay 17,2022 at 2:37PM UTC
I would not worry about the gap at all.
You' re good! More and more people are taking sabbaticals from work for various reasons. Do you and enjoy your summer with your children!!
AnonymousMay 17,2022 at 3:08PM UTC
I don't think so. Especially if you share what you did here. 21 years of steady, advancing career is nothing to ignore. In the current market I would worry. When you're ready, many companies will jump at the chance to bring you aboard.
Enjoy your family and have a wonderful summer.
Julie HumbirdMay 17,2022 at 3:25PM UTC
I also agree this leave will not seriously impact your career. I did the same in 2019 after my company of 15 years was purchased and deconstructed. The only time this was bought up was when I had to type a short explanation into the 3rd party background check software (after I accepted the offer). I did not mention my very poor mental health after the crazy hostile take-over, I put that nonsense behind me. I simply stated "Career development"
Bonus: I now make twice what I was making in 2019
AnonymousMay 17,2022 at 8:26PM UTC
You go girl!
AnonymousMay 18,2022 at 12:07AM UTC
Absolutely will not impact your career. Legitimate gaps in employment are acceptable in the workforce.
Sabrina CortesMay 18,2022 at 1:18AM UTC
I'm a professional Resume Writer and 3-6 months of a gap (even up to a year) in employment is perfectly acceptable.
It's wonderful that you're taking time off with your children; they grow up so fast. Take lots of pictures! :)
Bretley DannerMay 18,2022 at 12:41PM UTC
It isn’t really anyones business why after 21 years of work, you took some time away. Simply say you had some personal, and family responsibilities you needed to attend to. They have been resolved, and you are ready to get back to work….
AnonymousMay 19,2022 at 12:27PM UTC
I did this exact thing one summer with my son and I am SO glad I did. I enjoyed every minute I could spend fully engaged in what we were
doing. My son (who is 18 now) was 8 at the time and we are very close. If an employer doesn’t value that you focused on the number one job (Mom) that you have then I surely wouldn’t want to work for them. Be confident that you are doing the right thing for you and your family!
AnonymousMay 19,2022 at 12:36PM UTC
Enjoy! I had a two month gap between a horrible layoff at a company that was bought out by an investor and a new position. This was the first time I had a gap in my resume for 20 years, so I know how you feel. The gap was not considered unusual in interviews and I wish I had more time off. (Of course this was during COVID and many people were in a similar situation at the time.)
MichelleMay 20,2022 at 4:44AM UTC
Do not feel that taking time off is a bad thing for employers now because they need workers so just say it.
“I took off time to parent and write a novel” If they say anything other than cool you can walk out of that interview with a “sorry need more time away from this”
Margaret CaldwellJuly 20,2022 at 1:07PM UTC
I’m right there with you! Did (doing) exactly the same after a 21 year career. I have the same concerns but felt like listening to my gut and spending a few months investing in my kids at their ages is time I will never get back! Thanks for sharing and welcoming the incredibly supportive comments of this community! Good luck to you and enjoy every moment (I know I have so far!)