what is everyone doing for work?

Kimberly - posted on 10/04/2011

I wait tables at a nice restaurant. I work 4 nights a week. My daughter is 8 and goes to school all day, my son is 2 and home with m all day. On Wednesday's and Thursday's my ex MIL comes. Friday night my parents pick them up and I go get them Sunday morning. It is hard no being home at night to do homework with my daughter, but I make full time income and work 23 hours a week. If I need more money I pick up a shift. I am still technically married to my ex, but I am no longer getting any money from him. His is an addict, and comes and goes, as well as his jobs. He is back in a "hospital" right now and I am guessing he will be fired again. I can make ends meet, but I wish I could do more for my kids and our future.

Anne - posted on 06/14/2011

I am unemployed right now, I was fired from my last job because my daughter got sick to often. As a single parent I had to go get her from daycare. I am also in the middle of a lawsuit with them because they broke the law when they fired me.

I have been looking for a job and hope to find a teaching job in a different state.

Lucy - posted on 06/13/2011

in the same boat- ive been just trying to get buy... on selling old stuff and with money buying new for son
very hard being a single mum hey x

Teresa - posted on 03/08/2009

I wanted to add that I will be doing more in the future.  Either doing a home daycare (if we move) or working in a preschool.  I worried myself sick about leaving my son for several months and came to the realization that it isn't an option for me.  So this is what we do for now.

Teresa - posted on 03/08/2009

Well... my husband left when I was 8 months pregnant w/ my now almost one year old son.  When he left he said 'go on welfare cuz I'm not supporting you anymore'.  I had always been a stay-at-home mom before.  He is self employed and conveniently became 'unemployed' when he left.  So I went on assistance.  I started babysitting when my son was 4 months old.  It isn't much, but w/ the welfare as well we are doing alright.  I had wanted to run a home daycare, but since we are currently living in county housing it isn't allowed.  The suckiest thing is that if I was receiving the amount of child support that I originally was supposed to get... it would be equal to my babysitting money AND cash assistance!

Angie - posted on 03/08/2009

I work part-time as a lia sophia Indepenent Advisor. I'm also in school part time I have 2 kids (ages 5 & 2) and I think I just got another part time job (fingers crossed!) I am very lucky bc my parents are within an hour of me and take my kids overnight when I work the lia sophia parties which is just the biggest help! I am still struggling myself with the balance of school, starting my lia sophia business & with separating from the husband. It's great income but quite an adjustment bc I used to work a full time job and had a husband for a little help, but things have drastically changed and its hard! If you get any good tips on how to balance it all, please pass it my way!!

Jane - posted on 03/07/2009

I work as a compliance officer in the UK. It means I'm part of the senior management team at the insurance company I work at. I've been alone since my son was 12 weeks old and he'll be 10 this May! I am extremely lucky because my mum looks after my son when I go to work full time, especially as I often have to work away so a normal childminder or daycare facility would not fit my needs. Also I leave for work at 6.50am and don't get home until nearly 7pm so again, normal childcare arrangements would not work as none of them cater for 12 hour days! When my son was first born I was a secretary and worked full time whilst studying for my professional qualifications. It was hard, but well worth it in the end. You just have to get the right childcare for your circumstances.

Emily - posted on 03/07/2009

I work as a police officer part time so that i still get a bit of money but the rest of the time i am home with my 8 month old. Before I had my little man I worked full time on the road and loved it but at the moment he's the most important thing to me so I cut my hours so that I spend as much time with him. On the days I work he goes into a fantastic child care centre, they are so good and he has fitted in really well. Luckily the government gives me a little bit of money and I get a little bit of rent assistance to help out but not enough for us to get by on. If I could have stayed home longer I would have but unfortunately financially it wouldnt have worked.

Lanny - posted on 03/06/2009

I was lucky and found a sitter that was not licensed by the state but was much cheaper. I lived in town and worked in town but drove nearly 10 miles out every morning and evening to take and get him. Now that my son is older I work 12 hour shifts in an emergency room. That way I can do a 5 day work week in three and it leaves me 4 days to be home with my son. I did have to start my son in kindergarten a year earlier than I would have liked to but economically I really did not have a choice.

Michelle - posted on 03/03/2009

I work weekend night shift, my sister stays w/ my son. I have to get rental assistance until he goes to school full time.

Marie - posted on 03/03/2009

Like Rhonda i became a home child care provider (registered childminder in the UK|), i find it the ideal soloution, allowing me to work and care for my 2 young girs at the same time.  Although i would add it is very hard work and requires a lot of patience, when you have 10 other kids in your house as well as your own it can be a nightmare! However my girls love having the other children here and it can be very rewarding.

Rhonda - posted on 03/02/2009

I am a single mom with 3 kids.  I have been alone for a little over 6yrs.  Leaving my kids in daycare was never an option for me ( I'm not saying it's not right for some, just not for me).  I love kids so I checked with my local childcare resource & referral and took the necessary steps to be registered to provide daycare in my home.  I don't receive child support for my 2 youngest children and very little for the oldest so I was forced to bury my pride for a couple years and accept state assistance while I was building my business.  Since then I have built my business & reputation and have been able to provide a decent living for the 4 of us.  You can't "get rich" by doing daycare but you can have a nice life and the wonderful reward of being at home with your own children to watch them grow.

I do understand that not everyone has the ability to do childcare so, I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.

Cathy - posted on 02/26/2009

Well fo me, I go to school parttime, work full time at one job, work part time at a daycare center. My kids are old enough to go to school so while I'm working they are there. On the nights of school, either their father takes them for the night or my brother takes them for me. It's alot to juggle, but I've come to learn it doesn't matter what the house looks like, etc. I'm doing the best for my children by working and schooling. I spend as much time with them as possible. Just remember your children will always come first in your life, work doesn't and shouldn't revolve around them. Good luck, you will find the balance. And don't be afraid to ask for help when the struggle is too much!!

Maggie - posted on 02/26/2009

I am a single mom of two little boys.  I am in school full-time, doing my undergraduate for Veterinary Medicine (starting Vet School in the fall!! YAY!!)  I work two part-time jobs, one at a Vet clinic (going on 5 years now) and one at a research facility.  It's a lot to juggle, but I think that if I can do what I am, anyone who truely puts their mind to it, can do whatever they want to!  My boys are in daycare full-time during the week and I have a sitter for Saturday mornings when I work.  I am at home with them every night and on weekends.  I feel that I have really found and maintained a healthy balance between school, work and being a mom!  I love what I am doing and wouldn't change a thing!! 

I think that an important part in finding a balance is to set goals for yourself and your children, then find a way to achieve those goals.  For me, I want to finish school and be able to give my boys an amazing future.  I am well on my way to doing that, though it's not easy, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel!