I have been a stay at home mom for the past six years. I really enjoy my job as a mom and can't imagine doing anything else. I also attend school full time at night and help run our home based business. Right now we are really strapped for money, so much so, that once the food is gone in the pantry, I don't know how we will buy more.
My husband and I both agree that I need to return back to work. However, I am not sure how I will balance all of it. Last year I tried to return back to work and it almost ruined our family and I wasn't even in school at the time!!! I know that somehow we need to make more money, but I just can't imagine the stress of going to school, running a business, and working full time.
I have found many part time jobs, but the pay will pay for the few hours I need daycare for my daughter, that made more complicated by the fact that she goes to preschool part time already and I am not sure who would pick her up, should she go to daycare, etc. etc. I am so stressed out about all of this and don't know what to do!!!
I have been putting ads on Craigslist to watch children from my home (which I am highly qualified to do) to no avail. I previously did home daycare and was very successful with it, but that was even hard to manage once I started going back to school. I have also been selling a lot of my kids toys and clothes, etc. to try to make ends meet, but we have fallen behind on bills, and I don't see us catching up without getting a job. What should I do? Any suggestions for a job? Work from home opportunities that don't involve selling or buying a product?
How about a weekly Kids Camp? I used to drop off my DD#1 once a week from 8-12 at someone's house... they had play time, snack, story time, crafts, and lunch... then I picked her up. I think I paid $15 a week, and there were a total of 6 kids... one child was hers. I would love if I could find this again for my two younger children... but I haven't found anyone who does this. As a SAHM, I would love a couple of hours to work my business or go grocery shopping without my little monkeys! LOL But if you could do this a couple times a week, you would still have time to get done what you need to get done. Just a thought.
Me personally, I am a Mary Kay consultant on top of being a SAHM. Direct sales isn't for everyone, but it has worked well for me.
Hi JC, You are like many of us and are forced to make decisions we normally wouldn't have to. I don't really have any great info other than to tell you that you guys are not alone. My husband and I both own businesses so we are commission only and our paychecks are determined by not only our sales, but if we lose current clients as well. So we literally have no idea each month what our income will be. So what we have done is to really cut back on everything...shop around for better deals on your home/auto insurance, cell phones, put on warmer clothes and turn down the heater, buy generic foods, etc. Try to go thru the garage to sell items you truly don't use/need anymore. Also, if you have gold jewlery you don't like or is broken, missing it's mate, etc, you can sell it and make some serious cash. I did that right before my wedding and had just a few things and made $890!!!! He gave me a check right then and there! Let me know if you want his info. There are tons of "work from home" jobs, but clients don't just knock on your door and offer to buy your product! As an insurance agent, I would not suggest opening your home to watch kids, that is a HUGE liability risk that you probably do not want to take on. I know this probably wasn't much help, just wanted to wish you luck, I know it's hard right now. Hang in there and it will get better!
Faith
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