I plan on going back to work full time by time my children are preschool and/or school age. They are 20 months apart and will be one or two years apart in school.
Still, I want to know what stay-at-home mothers of school age children do. The idea of being home when they get home sounds great, but what do you do with the other time? My mother-in-law has two school age girls and she is very active with their school and other activities, but that sounds like torture to me. I desire some time away from my children. I want adult interaction.
I want to consider everything before I jump back into school to prepare for a career. Any input would be helpful. I am considering more than just how to fill the time while my children are in school, but I thought you other mother could help me think about that part of it.
THANKS.
Have you ever consodered a home based business? That would allow you to keep a very flexable schedule incase the kids get sick, or even on school breaks. Home based businesses take very little money to start up and can be very rewarding. I have a wonderful home based business opportunity that I can share with you if you would like to know more. ###-###-####
C.
Have you considered home schooling? That way your children will still be there during the day. And you won't have to wonder what to do :)
You will definitely be busy!
Along with the other ladies, I agree that the time does fly! I am a sahm, too. I, now have time to create and develop some of my jillion projects, one that surely is my million dollar deal! I vounteer @ his school one morning a week for new teacher who needs 2 more hands.(don't we all?!) I am on our PTA type org....which some take VERY seriously! LOL I am in it to help...don't care who is in charge!Really!
So, all I can say is get quiet, listen to what your heart says to do, and go for it! I do try to do some real relaxing for 20 minutes a day.(meditation,stretching,yoga...something to clear the mind of the clutter!) Good Luck! Enjoy each day that you wake up to. That's my real "goal"!
Get a part-time job that will allow you to be home when they leave for school (or you bring them) and home when they come home. Two or three days a week and off on weekends will do you wonders. The other days of the week you can clean up the house or do laundry. I teach preschool twice a week and the other days catch up on everything else. This way you can volunteer to help out at school parties or book fairs or something else every once and while too. Field trips can be a blast. Good luck and God bless.
I was a 3rd grade teacher until I had my kids. For the last 7 years I have sold Cookie Lee Jewelry. I like the flexibility so much that I will probably never go back to teaching full time. If you go for a home based business, consider that you have to be self-disciplined since there is no boss or time-clock to answer to. If you find the right one, with a good profit margin and product, you can make good money! Educate yourself on the questions to ask when you are seeking info on something like that. All companies can make you feel like they are the ONE! Bottom line, you can take the day off for a field trip, make it to all the class parties, and volunteer whenever you want if you are not tied down to a certain work schedule. Good luck! Call if I can give you more advice. ###-###-####
C. Fine
I decided to work Part time after my kids went to school. It's a perfect solution for me. I get some adult interaction. I set my own schedule, so I can still help at my kids school when I want. It allows me the best of both worlds--I even have a little time just to myself for cleaning, running errands, an occasional house project, and even to get my haircut by myself:)) I was wondering how the transition would go, but after having my kids gone all day, I really missed them and love taking them lunch at school and helping in their classrooms some.
Try a Direct Marketing business. Do you like kids Discovery Toys, Cooking Pampered Chef or Tastfully Simple, Or Homemade Gourmet, Make up Mary Kay or Avon.
All of these businesses have been around for a number of years. Have REAL products. Allow flexable schedules, around the kids, and you can make money!!!
Good luck!!
Before I went back to work and had my son I loved being a stay at home mom with school age children. I got all of my shopping done during the day. Had a daily workout schedule with all of my gym friends. Ran all of my errands and took some needed naps after running around all day. You will find things to do. I would suggest trying to find other moms like yourself to do things with they will help with suggestions.
Have you considered volunteering? There are TONS of organizations who would welcome extra help. And you could volunteer where your interests are-- animal shelter, women's shelter, local church, etc. The possibilities really are endless. Even if you don't have a passion for a certain cause, if you enjoy doing a particular task (answering phones, designing flyers, etc.), you can check around to see who needs help with that task. You can go to volunteermatch.org to see what's available.
Another option, of course, would be to get a part-time job that allowed you to be home when your kids get home. Or you could just start your education by taking one or two general classes while your kids are at school. Then you'd be ahead of the game if/when you wanted to go to school full time.
L.- I understand what you are saying, however, if you chose to stay home while your children are at school trust me you will have plenty to do. When the school finds out you are a SAHM- they will rope you in to help with everything. My children are 8 & 5 and both in school. I am very active with fundraising and I am the PTO Vice President. I help with church stuff and then try to keep my house up and cook good meals. You will be amazed at how fast your time goes. Plus when your kids start school, they have all the holiday parties that you might want to be involved in. If you start a full time job, your job might not let you take off for these things.
However, on the other side of that- I do have a little part time job- I work every day from 9-12. My boss is very understanding when my kids are sick from school and can't make it in. It is flexible enough that I can make hours up if needed. Adult interaction is a necessity I agree :) Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
V.
If you'd like to be home when your kids get home, maybe you should consider a job working for their school district. There are lots of jobs that aren't in a classroom (aka, you don't need a degree) but then you and your kids will have the same schedule.
Most districts have a website with all their job postings.
When I went back to work after my son, I was able to return to my former employer, covering the lunch rush for them 8:30-1pm. It was fabulous! Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. I was certainly surprised at the accomidation they were willing to make to keep me - even part time! It was a win-win.
Get creative, find something you love doing, and have fun! I know having a purpose outside of the house has made me a more purposeful mommy and wife when I am home! I hope it works out as well for you!
T.
L. ~
I am kind of a SAHM with two school age children... I actually drive a school bus... one hour in the morning, one hour in the afternoon... my kids ride the bus with me every day, and have a great time! They never have to go to daycare, and I'm still free during the day to do my own stuff. My day starts with the bus...then I go workout.. then I come home and tidy up the house. My husband comes home for lunch every day, so I always have that ready for him... then clean some more, plan our dinner, then it is time to go drive again. It is actually amazing how quickly the time goes!!!
Good Luck!
B.
Guess it depends on where you stand financially. My oldest is 9 and my youngest is 4. I just started going back to school this year because I am pretty much in the same boat...what will I do when they all go to school? I have until September of 2009 to figure something out so I went to school. I do not plan to work full time because I want to stay active in my children's school. I imagine that when they all are at school I will sit on the couch and bask in the silence, do some laundry, clean the house without anyone coming behind me and messing it up. I feel that once all of my children are in school...September 2009 I will be allowed to devote more time to myself...like you said adult interaction. I love going to schoo!! it is the start of adult interatcion...even though I am actually old enough now to interact with the teachers instead of the other students =) If you are thinking about going back to school yourself the child development center on campus of St. Charles community center is AMAZING!!
I never did find any down time when all my kids started school. My kids are 15, 13, and 8. I catch up on laundry and other chores, run errands etc. and still can't find enough time to find some quiet down time for just me. After 3:30 when the kids are all home my life really gets busy. We are involved in a great church. I help out many different ministries but mostly in the evenings and not so much during the day. The kids are also involved in sports and youth activities so we are running about every evening for something. If I have a few hours of downtime I check my email or play games with other people online or read a good book. I do sub occasionally at the schools for extra money but some days I just have too much to do to sub so usually sub 1-2 days a week if they need me. I do go to some school activities but not as often since the kids are older because they are so busy with other activities and can't be 2 places at one time as most school activities are in the evenings. I am so busy right now, I haven't turned on the TV in at least 3 weeks. I am not much of a tv watcher but like to watch a good movie once in a while. If you do find yourself bored during the day there are many places to volunteer to have something good to do and be with other adults.
