GOING BACK TO WORK: A Survival Guide for Comeback Moms

Many parents are torn, wanting to be hands-on, full-time parents but also feeling ambivalent about leaving interesting, financially lucrative careers. This handbook, by freelance journalists Quigley and Kaufman, focuses on those mothers who are returning to the workplace after time spent away: networking to find a position, negotiating salary and other benefits, starting a business from home and more. In a casual tone, the authors draw upon their own experiences as well as on those of other mothers who were interviewed or contributed anecdotes to the authors' Web site. While many of these career topics are discussed in other books, this volume offers a fresh perspective in several areas; sections on changing careers and using volunteer jobs as a way of getting a new position are particularly insightful. Furthermore, the solutions are realistic. For example, regarding reliable child care, the authors discuss the advantages of having a family member (sibling, spouse or grandmother) available for child care or emergency care. This is a solid guide that should appeal to mothers who can't or don't want to return to their previous careers. Agent, John Wright. (Aug.)