Working Part Time?

Hi J.-
I don't really have any advice about what you should do for work. I'm sorry. I did feel compelled to write though, because I feel like we are living parallel lives!
I had a baby girl last January, and took the rest of the year off for maternity leave (I am a teacher alos, art teacher, at the high school level).
She started going to KinderCare in Aug and literally it's one sickness after another. 2 weeks ago, she had a 103 fever and an ear infection, so I was out of work for 3 days THEN my grandfather died so I had to fly to NY for the funeral!!! It's like it never ends with daycare. I've got to say, talking to some of my stay at home girlfriends, their older children go to pre-school, and bring stuff home, so their younger baby still gets sick! It's like you can't win. My mom, she says that my brother & I were sick all the time in Kindergarten. She says, if you are sick a lot from daycare, you won't get as sick when you start school...who knows right?
Hang in there J., I personally went back to work, but we have another baby coming in October so I plan to take the rest of the year off to be home with both. YIKES! Maybe I'll want to do something else after that year, maybe I'll be chompin' and the bit to get back to WORK!
I hope you find a path that suits you and your family, good luck,
A.

Oh my gosh, J., you sound just like me 7 years ago!

I am a former elementary teacher who took time off after my Madeline was born! My girls were 3 and 10 months when I decided I was not going to go back to teaching and began working from home! That was 7 years ago...and I still love what I do! Even though my girls are now 10 1/2 and almost 8, I love the fact that I am helping them with their homework when needed and not grading papers all night!

If you are interested in learning more about what I have been doing from home, I would love to share! Being a consultant and Supervisor with Usborne Books (the books kids love to read) has been a blessing to my entire family! I love the educational and fun books my kids have grown up with and we LOVE the income it has provided.

I am looking for consultants with a passion for kids and books to join my team! You can check out my on-line bookstore at www.UsborneBooksInfo.com or email me at ____@____.com. I love what I do, you can , too!

D.

I have an opportunity which you can work part-time even after you go back to teaching in Auguts 08. Glad you are able to stay home with your daughters. That happened to me.
Go to Mamasource Member Perks Business For You or call me at ###-###-#### Look forward to hearing from you. S. K.

Hi J.,
Have you considered a home-based business? I recently started a Shaklee business and love the flexibility it gives me. I can make phone calls from my car if needed, schedule meetings around family events/ family time, and can create residual income for our future. The way I see it, there's not too many other opportunities out there where I can do work today that will pay me for years to come!

Your gift of teaching will be essential in teaching others how to do the same while spending time with their families!

If I can help in any way, please PM me.

T.
www.shaklee.net/tammybristol

Hi-

I worked as a tutor at a couple of learning centers, as well as privately before I had children, in addition to my teaching "day job." Pros and cons: tutoring at a center gave me guaranteed, and regular hours, although pay was low-definitely under $15/hour there. It may have changed, and be different at different centers, so call around if you want to go this route.
Private tutoring, I charged ~$20-25/hour, but I had to drive to my students' homes (except right after having my first child-right before finals, so the students came to me...) It's nice extra money, but it doesn't add up to much either way. I know some of my colleagues could charge a lot more, depending on what and where they tutored, and their reputation. It's harder to get started with private tutoring, because most work came my way by word of mouth. You can also call your local schools, and ask if they keep a list of qualified tutors for parent inquiries.

Hi J., just in case, although this doesn't sound like it will fit with your schedule. As far as tutoring and what to charge, I would recommend you call a few of the services out there as though you are looking, and ask what their rates are, and also see where/how others are advertising.

For me, I am looking for someone who likes kids (I figured Mamasource was a good place for that!) to dress up as Max from the Max and Ruby show this Friday, 3/28, for a library appearance at the Niles Public Library. The pay is $50, and the commitment is from noon to 1:30 p.m. We have the costume, which is best for someone who weighs 120 to 160 and is 5'4" to 5'8", which includes a big head, so there is no speaking with this role. It is a meet and greet with the kids prior to their School's Out Movie, and we will do a raffle drawing to win tickets to the Max and Ruby Musical at Centre East on 4/5. Please call Sonali at 773/631-9750 if you are available

Depending on where you live, there are some tutoring companies that hire people to work after-school hours and weekends. That may be an option to get started and then you could maybe do it privately once you get a handle on the logistics.