Getting back out into the world

Tracy - posted on 03/11/2012

Hi Joy

I'm Tracy and have 5 children Danny 28, Jenna and Lucy 25, Jordan 22 and Ben 20, when I was first pregnant with Danny I left work few weeks before he was born and when he was 10 months old I got myself a part time job in the evening his dad was there to look after him in the evening and I was there during the day. I then lost that job but soon got another cleaning our local Ladbrokes from there I got another cleaning job in the end I had 3 or 4 cleaning jobs until something else came up. The reason I decided to get a job was I still needed my independance and could help buy the children things ie: birthday, xmas presents clothes etc. I worked for Toyrus (2 yrs) at xmas time in between school hours which was ideal for me.

When the youngest Ben was a year old I got a full time job working in Contact Lense Industry this was ideal as my hours then were 10pm to 6am so I was there before they went to bed and back by the time I had to get them up for school. Then the company changed the hours to 7pm to 7am. I think I have been lucky and the reason I got an evening job was so I didn't have to pay out for babysitters or get family to look after them and I had always said as soon as the youngest was at school I would get a full time job but was lucky enough to get a night job knowing there was someone looking after the children whilst I wasn't there it was difficult at first getting the sleep I needed but I got myself into a routine.

Saying all this try looking for a job that is at night you won't have to payout for daycare and even think about claiming for Family Tax Credit, my second youngest Jordan and his wife claim as they have a little girl of 1 and Jordans wages are low also Danny the eldest has 4 children and 3 stepchildren and his wages are low you could be surprised of the outcome. Goodluck Tracy

Michelle - posted on 06/02/2011

I agree with Melissa, do the math 1st. There are many stay at home jobs that are fun & you can make great $ doing in very little time or when ur husband is home to take care of the kids. I chose to start up a Passion Parties business while i was pregnant so that it was running smooth after my Alex is born. This way i can stay home with her. I also do freelance writing and occasional babysitting. Its working out pretty good so far. You just need to do the math to figure out how much you need and how much childcare will cost. Care.com & Sittercity.com are great for finding jobs & sitters.

Melissa - posted on 05/31/2011

The best thing to do is to look at it mathmatically. I don't know all the details but look at the cost of care for all of your children. Infants are more expensive and of course if your other children are old enough to stay home you don't have to count them. Does your husband cook? Because when both parents work there tends to be more eating out. Now look at your potential earnings. If you are looking for entry level chances are it isn't going to be much more than Minimum wage. So what is minimum wage where you are?

When I had 3 children in daycare it was $350 which works out to $8.75 per hour. Minimum wage in my state is $8.50. So you can see the math doesn't quite work out. Thankfully I make more than minimum wage but still unless you don't have to pay for child care and make decent money it's often not worth it.
There are some other things you can do though. If you have the temperment for it you can do your own in home child care. I have a friend that does pretty well with that. And there are always various sales type jobs (Avon, pampered chef, stuff like that) again you have to have the temperment for that too. I don't. :)

Good Luck.

Joy - posted on 05/07/2011

sounds like something i need

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 05/06/2011

Luck luck luck :D hotel would be nice..... if you work nights it's quiet if you work at the front desk even as a check in clerk! I know lots of college students who want that job so they can do homework........ imagine........ peace and quiet.......... lol :) Luck luck luck

Joy - posted on 05/06/2011

i know right it has been like so long since i worked i hope i get a break somewhere right now i am applying at retail/ hotel industry but i have mostly administrative/clerical work experience.I assume that the next step for me is to up my resume. wish me luck

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 05/06/2011

Good idea! I know it can be so hard....... I hope you find a job you like!!!

Joy - posted on 05/06/2011

thank you Nichole i am excited for fall because i am glad that i will be doing something for just me and my family.Work would give me a reason to miss my kids..

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 05/06/2011

Joy, if you want to work when your husband is home watching the kids, go for it. Expecially with what I've heard from your postings before.. you need some time to yourself after having 3 kids! A job can be a blessing, a way back into the adult world. What kind of job are you looking into? Even if you wait tables, with a grin and jump in your step, you can make tips which really help on top of the income.

My parents best friend and his wife worked opposite shifts from eachother for yearssssss.. I think almost until the kids were in highschool, in order to do all they wanted. They both made 15 an hour each (but daycare expecially with 2-3 kids is unaffordable) so they did what you are considering doing and they are all fine :) good luck to you! Hope working helps

Alison - posted on 05/03/2011

As for the daycare issue, I don't know about where you're from but there is a lisenced site (care.com) that runs background checks on local babysitters, nannies and from home daycares. Might look into that. Otherwise, I know the feeling of the money crunch! Looking to actually work at a local daycare, so I can be near to my kids when baby #2 comes and also a lot of places provide discounts to mothers employed with children. Also, there is some financial aid available for parents needing child care.. You might have hubby look into it! Hope this helps! Good luck!

Joy - posted on 05/01/2011

i really do appreciate it...

Joy - posted on 05/01/2011

i will not discuss that online however, my husband wants me to do what i want to do. And i want to work, i love my kids but more importantly i love being able to take care of them the way i see fit. Im sure the government helps a lot of families but if i can work i will. My husband will be a big support and help in this. I think after the baby is born, and my c section scare heals i will put myself back on the job market. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement

Anna - posted on 04/30/2011

If you can't stay home and need to work, who better to be with your kids than your husband. I love being a stay at home mom and wouldn't change it. If my husband and I could work our schedules though so I could work part time to bring in income I would. Not because I don't want to be with my kids, but because we could use the income as well. We are also expecting our third. Honestly I feel that your situation would be ideal in terms of having to work. Your kids will be in their own home with their daddy and it would be great bonding time for them. Have you thought about trying to work now until baby comes and just save that money? Or what about trying that extreme couponing thing? Search for websites that teach you how to do it. There are also sites that do the work and post the deals you just have to go buy. Do you qualify for government assist programs? Like WIC or Food Stamps? Check into all possible assistance programs.

Joy - posted on 04/30/2011

that would be a good idea if i had my own space but i am still living with my husband's mother, which is no picnic but if i work it may change our living situation. Daycare is out of the question for my children so most likley i will be there until husband gets home then go to work or vice versa...

Jane - posted on 04/29/2011

If you are going back into the work force, who is going to take care of the kids? A lot of times the cost of childcare almost cancels out the additional income. If you like kids, what about taking in a couple who need day care?