Shelley Holtry's job for the past seven years has been raising her kids, but when the economy started to turn sour, she started pounding the pavement for a paycheck.

"I've been looking for about a year, but actually applying for jobs for about six months," Holtry said. "I have applied for everything from administration and clerical to law enforcement positions. I've been looking at everything that I'm qualified for."

Some estimates say that if stay-at-home moms like Holtry were paid for a job that includes housekeeper, cook, chauffeur and psychologist, they would earn $138,000 a year. And while most moms will say the hugs and kisses are priceless, they don't help pay the bills in this tough economy.

To cope, some longtime stay-at-home Treasure Valley moms are looking to return to the work force - and they're not alone.

In and around Chicago, the Sara Lee Corp. is offering "returnships" for moms, dads and anyone else who has taken leave from the work force.

A consultant in Maryland says "SAHMs" - shorthand for stay-at-home moms - are fueling a revolution in online commerce as they find ways to offer goods and services from easy-to-run-at-home companies.

And recent news stories from Colorado, Minnesota and New York City have profiled mothers who have found ways to make money with blogs and online businesses. But with fewer jobs available, increased layoffs and employers often skeptical of long breaks in employment history, it's not always easy to get back into the work force.

A FOOT IN THE DOOR

Holtry has a degree in criminal justice and has worked in law enforcement, but she has widened her job search in hopes of finding something that would work for her and her family.

"I would take something out of my field, even in the restaurant business," Holtry said. "I'm just trying to put myself out there."

Broadening a job search is often necessary just to get a foot in the door, according to Denise Mancaruso, district manager for Kelly Services in Boise, a temporary staffing assistance agency.

"If they're willing to be creative and think outside the box, we can help them find something," Mancaruso said. "There are good jobs out there at call centers or doing telemarketing. It may not be their first choice, but it will get their foot in the door."

And with young children at home, many moms have to consider the additional costs in going back to work.

"I have to make enough for it to pay for child care," said Holtry, who lives in Meridian with her husband and their two daughters, 6 and 4 years old. "If you make $10 an hour, but child care for your kids is $8 an hour, you're really only bringing home $2 an hour, and that's not worth it."

After being out of the workplace for seven years, Holtry knows she can't expect to start at the top.

"I have a seven-year gap on my resume. With a lot of entry-level positions, you have to work your way up," Holtry said. "You almost have to have money saved to start a new position -money to pay for gas, clothes, and then child care."

If a couple can work alternate schedules so someone is always home with the kids, child care costs can be kept to a minimum.

"If they're willing to be flexible, and work evenings or weekends, there are ways to work around a schedule so they don't have to pay for child care," said Mancaruso, who herself was a stay-at-home mom until she was 34. "But if they're just trying to work around their kids' school schedules, that's going to be a lot harder."

BACK TO SCHOOL

For anyone looking for work, it's crucial to keep employment skills current, typically with regular classes and training, Mancaruso said.

The Larry Selland College of Applied Technology at Boise State University focuses on education offerings geared toward employment, and many training programs can be completed in four to 24 months, according to marketing coordinator Kellie Branson.

One such program teaches foundational office skills for an administrative assistant, a legal administrative assistant or an accounting assistant.

From accounting to welding, Selland classes offer a low student-teacher ratio, so it's not intimidating for anyone coming back to school, according to recruitment events coordinator Audrey Eldridge.

Selland College is currently enrolling students to start in January 2009. But if tuition costs are an issue, consider this: Rates are set to decrease in July when the college becomes part of the new College of Western Idaho. And prospective students can always apply for financial aid to assist with credited courses.

Another way to network and update your job skills is to volunteer. Schools and nonprofits are a great place to start, Mancaruso said.

Holtry has the support of her husband, Kevin, and both of their mothers live close enough to help out with the kids in a pinch, she said.

"He's ready; he knows that financially I need to go back to work," Holtry said, adding that her daughters are now old enough that it's easier to be away from them. "I feel a bit better about going back to work; one's in school all day. That's huge."

"But we're going to need his mom, my mom, and a network of people to be able to do it," Holtry added. "[Our moms] help, but they're not going to commit to take them every day, and I don't expect them to."

Even in a good economy, some stay-at-home moms may want to get back to work for their own self-confidence.

"It's scary because I'm depending on Kevin, year after year, on just his income," Holtry said. "I just have to get my self-confidence up, my brain working again, and we'll just work it out.

"I gave my career up for my family, and now I want it back."

Brenda Gutierrez: 377-6440