if you think your depression/mental illness is going to interfere with the job, then be upfront about it. You have a child, that is what you have been doing for the past 22 years is taking care of your family. Now that your child is "old enough" you want to do something for yourself.

You might find that a job just isn't for you after a while. I worked for 2 1/2 years before I needed to return home to take care of my disabled son. It worked for a while, but his needs were greater.

Best of luck

Parenting is the most important and hardest FULL TIME job anyone can have...not to mention someone struggling with depression and mental illness...

Let me tell you something: I neglected and sacrificed myself for my son from the day he was born till the day he went off to college...and tomorrow, he turns twenty...and is still the most important full-time job I have...I honestly don't think I would have been able to do it if I had been battling this depression and mental illness at the same time...I commend you...and if you tell the volunteer coordinator that, I am sure they will too!...

Parenting a 15 year old son, in this day and age in NO WALK IN THE PARK...it's not a full-time job, it's a LIFETIME job...it doesn't end when they turn 18, 21, or 46 like me...my 94 y/o mom can attest to that!

Good Luck!

I would hope that they would not hold it against you. But you do need to address it somehow. Some suggestions:

1) I have been focusing on raising my son; now that he is 15 I feel it is time to re-enter the work force. (This leaves the 7 previous years unaccounted for.)

2) You could be honest and say that you have been battling depression for quite a while and you are now in a very good place and ready to work.

3) You could use a combination of the two.


If you choose to experiment with the exact wording, you might want to focus on the volunteer positions first. Once you get the wording to a point where you are comfortable with it then venture out into for pay situations.

Hugs, and congratulations on getting back into the working world.

Don't sell volunteer work short. It is a FANTASTIC way to get experiences built up, obtain references, and prove yourself!

Tell them you have been a stay at home mom. That is something that is common place these days.

Unless asked directly I would not say a thing and just focus on whether you can handle the Volunteer stuff first. Like Pepper says it is a great way to get your feet wet. So please do not let something that might not happen deter from finding what works for you being productive and feeling better.

I think one's health is a personal thing between them and their doctor and maybe family.

It is an 'employer's' interest that a candidate can do the job well. Beyond that, I don't think it is their business what your health situations are or have been (necessarily).

I entirely agree that raising a 15 yo is a full time job. Beyond that, I would convince the party in question that you are reliable, dependable, and can handle the stresses that come with the job. The rest ... not necessary. Just my opinion.

I think pepperman's answer was spot-on. But I also agree with wandering.... Your health issues are not your employers concern and may hinder you if brought up. I would say I had been focusing on being a stay-at-home mom, or a "house manager", and that now that my son is in high school, I'm ready to start working outside the home again.

I was offered an interview for paid employment by 2 different organizations.

Both had 'applicants' fill in forms / questions...

I essentially gave the same answers to the 2...

One: My 'disclosure' about depression didn't seem to bother them... (They employed me...)

The other: Good grief! You'd think I had disclosed that I was a mass murderer or something...!!!!????

Be careful with regards what you divulge! The Stigma is still out there!

xo