It has been one of the most contested questions of the feminist movement of the 1970s and '80s—should mothers work? But now, on blogs, in op-eds and a host of new books out this year, women are arguing about the next question—can mothers get back to work if they want to?

“Much of the debate over whether women should become stay-at-home moms is focused on what is best for the child. But little thought is given to what is best for mom, especially when it comes to her future career, economic and personal well being,” says Hallie Crawford, a career coach specializing in helping job seekers find a career they love. “After the mommy track and the off-ramp, there's a bracing reality: the empty nest and bank account. That’s when many moms decide it’s time to find a job. But often mom’s hit roadblocks getting back onto the on-ramp.”

Crawford points to a study by a Cornell University professor that found mothers are 44 percent less likely to be hired than nonmothers with the same résumé.

But according to Crawford, women can re-enter the job market. “But you have to brush aside your fears, be extra savvy and in some cases be willing to take entry-level gigs in order to learn and to get back on the paid-work track.”

A Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Hallie Crawford (www.halliecrawford.com) is an experienced coach and trainer who helps people change the way they feel about work – from just a paycheck to a fulfilling endeavor that is an extension of their purpose and passion. Based in Atlanta, she offers, career coaching, teleseminars, audio recordings and a free ezine to help people across the country find a career they love. Crawford has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communications from Vanderbilt University and the University of Illinois at
Chicago.

To help moms get back in business, Crawford offers the following advice:

1. Know Why you want to go back to work. Engagement, purpose, money, status, validation, and social environment are just some of the motivations for going back to work.
   
2. Clarify Priorities: For young families with school age children career and family demands often are at odds. Define your working parameters to protect those priorities and keep reminding yourself of why you chose those priorities when confronting choices.
   
3. Do it for You: When going back to work especially after a newborn, explore opportunities for flexible work schedules and telecommute. Design your own job and claim it at a company nearby. It is easier than you think! Don’t get back into working because someone wants you to!
   
4. Avoid Sudden Change: After many years of being out of work, develop a phased approach to the transition. A sudden change can be difficult to manage and can create disharmony in the family and stress in your life.
   
5. Manage Expectations: Going back to work implies a significant change in a family. Make sure that members of the family are willing to accommodate this change. Create clear expectations from each family member and manage those expectations. Show your appreciation for this accommodation from time to time. Expect others to show their appreciation for what you do as well!

For more information on finding an enjoyable career or for a free 30-minute phone consultation, contact Hallie Crawford at 404-228-6434 or email at hallie@halliecrawford.com.