How about answering them with you took some time off from career to be more with the family. (they don't need to know why you had to take the personal time and you were dealing with a family issue - a family member who was critically ill needed you. They don't need to know that it was you. and then say you are ready to get back into the work force but you want to start out as part time So that you will still have time for your family. Any agency understands people take time off as a normal thing when a family member is critically ill. In fact most companies now have a protocal that allows family members to take time off to be there for critically ill family members. Not sure but I think it was president clinton that signed that bill that gives family members the right to take time off for dealing with the critically ill family members.