I would like to share with you something I have learned over the past few years.
By coaching over the phone, and giving workshops and interviews, I am fortunate to be able to talk and listen to moms all over the country.
One of the questions I often receive from stay-at-home moms is: "How do I know when I'm ready to go back to work?" In my experience, these are some signals that it may be time to discover and pursue work that you are passionate about:

• You don't like the person you've become.
  You may be harshly judging others or yourself.
  Perhaps you gossip too much, get bogged down in the little things, or feel cranky much of the time.
  Something is off, and you behave in ways that detract from your highest self.
  
• You feel stuck.
  You may know that pursuing meaningful work would be good for you, but a myriad of excuses get in your way.
  Pursuing your dreams outside of motherhood, your comfort zone, seems too scary or overwhelming.
  
• You are trapped in micro-mommying.
  Your sole focus has become your children.
  You have a hard time letting them take age-appropriate risks or make decisions on their own.
  You try to mold them into who you want them to be, rather than encouraging their innate strengths and talents.
  You don't know who you are anymore as an individual- outside of motherhood.
  
• You feel a gnawing emptiness.
  You may fill your free time with shopping, to-do lists or perfecting the house.
  But underlying it all, in moments of quiet, you know there is a void that needs to be filled.
  

The beauty of these challenges is that they are teaching you that something needs to change.
A skilled thinking partner and motivator may be just what you need to overcome your obstacles and discover a fulfilling career!