Choosing between a Professional Career outside the Home and your Special Needs Child's Education and Development; It is a Decision Easier than You May Expect

Choosing between a career outside the home and your child's education and development...The decision is easier to make than you may expect.

Fairburn, GA (PRWEB) September 10, 2006 -- A local mother of three found it difficult to be actively involved in her children’s education and development while working in a stressful environment. She also realized that having a daughter with Down syndrome required her full-time attention, in addition to caring for her other two small children, ages 7 and 3. Her daughter with Down syndrome is now six years old and a first grader in public school. For the first time in 3 years, she is now able to fully understand the school system’s Special Needs Program or knows where to go to get answers.

This summer she decided to leave behind her job as a Human Resources Manager to start a virtual business and become more involved in her children’s education and development. The Special Needs Program at public schools can be intimidating if you are not familiar with the rights and laws protecting your child. Ms. Webb has become more familiar with IEP process, the rights and advocacy for special needs children, and the opportunity to give back to the organizations that embraced her when her daughter was born. She has more time to actively participate in and question her daughter’s goals and milestones in her annual developmental plan.

“This is the most satisfying and rewarding career choice that I have ever made. I made a choice between attending countless, endless meetings at work or attending more fulfilling and rewarding meetings with my children.” Ms. Webb recently was able to attend the Down Syndrome Congress Convention held in Atlanta this summer. “That’s when I realized there is so much more that I can do, such as volunteering as a Parent Support Person for families just learning their child has Down syndrome, instead of spending 9 hours at work and two hours commuting.”

“The decision was not a difficult one to make”, says Ms. Webb. It just took her six years to realize the benefits of working a flexible schedule outweighed the benefits of working outside the home. “I can now work around my children’s schedule instead of them working around mine”. I can be there for my children when they need me, but I can also continue a professional career from home.

Cathy Webb, PHR, is the owner of Virtual HR Consultants. You can contact Ms. Webb at 770-774-7318.

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