SAHM and future plans?

For all the SAHMs out here - what are your plans regarding work, school etc?

I'd really like to have some kind of plan and work when the kids go to kindergarten (heck I would go now if I could), but my job experience is pretty much awful, and my degree is worthless here, so I'm at a loss... I didn't have much luck finding a job in the 5 years I was here before babies apart from really bad ones, so I can't see how I will be able to find something in these conditions, especially something that will work around the kids' schedules I'd go to school again but with no US degree at all I wouldn't even know where to start, and we can't spend a fortune either...

Is anyone in the same situation?

 

It's definately been on my mind as well. I'm hoping to get really involved in the kids school.. Help out in the classroom/s and maybe do some volunteer work with the school.
I also am hoping to go back to school. I'd basically be starting from scratch but I think it would be so worth it and a gift to myself for all the hard work I've put into the last 4 years.
It's nice to have a goal in mind...

 

I was thinking I'd go back to work part-time, just the hours while they are in school. Something easy and fun, like working in Hallmark or a gift shop would be nice. I might wind up having to go back to real work though, I guess time will tell.

 

I just had to smile at this thread, because I'm a WOHM and I was considering quitting my job when the kids start kindy. I can think of so many things I'd rather do with my time while they're at school, besides work! :laughing: But, in your shoes, I guess I would start with finding some volunteer way to get involved with things you're interested in, and hope that would lead to networking which would eventually lead to a job.... Good luck!

 

I've been looking for a job and it's been hard to find something in this economy. I hope to have something by the time the kids go to kindergarten (fingers and toes crossed).

 

How about going back to school to be a massage therapist? I've entertained the idea and look on school websites from time to time. It's like a 9 month program and it's something you could do part time.

 

Well, I'll give you the experience of a sahm whose kids are now in school full-time.

For kindergarten, we just did half day. So, the kids were in school for a total of 3 hours a days. Just enough time to get one thing done. I volunteered in the classroom one day a week and volunteered in the library shelving books once a month. Between that and running errands and doing grocery shopping, I always felt like I had plenty to do.

Now we're in first grade and all day. I volunteer quite a bit at school. Mondays, I spend at least an hour in the library helping. Fridays, I spend the afternoon in the classes (alternating which child) doing a math activity with the class. During the week, I help in centers some. Once a month, I help in the office counting out papers into teacher mailboxes, laminating and doing busy work that just needs done. When the nurse needs helpers, I'm on the list to help with things like vision and hearing checks. I also will be helping with boxtops and attending parties and Read Across America Day. Other areas that I don't help in are things like parade floats for the town parade, fund raisers, hospitality, extra landscaping, etc. There is plenty to do.

You should check into substitute teaching. For the state of Kansas (where I'm at), all you need is a minimum of 60 hours of college for an emergency certification or any degree for basic certification. For the teacher's aides, there is no degree or education requirement that I've been able to find. There are also jobs at the schools like helping in the cafeteria that are limited hours on a school scheduele.

I don't have enough of an education to substitute. It's something I am considering doing once the kids get to middle school and the parental involvement seems to drop off. We have a nice community college here in town that would make that easy. But I'm enjoying the nice mix of being at school and volunteering. And also having the time to go walking through the neighborhood for exercise with a friend and the time to sit and figure out knitting patterns. I've actually been able to come up with original knitting patterns for 18" dolls (think American Girl) that I'm still working the details out on. I'm looking at the possibility of selling some of it. When my kids are around, I can knit, but I don't get to give it my undivided, creative attention like I do when they're at school. Two months ago, I wouldn't have thought there was anything worthwhile I could maybe sell.

So, that's what this sahm is doing when the kids go to school.

Marissa

 

I may be mixing you up with someone else, but I think I remember from prior posts that you speak a second language? Maybe you could do something with it that wouldn't require much more schooling - translating, tutoring, textbook editing, or something?

When my kids are in school I want to work part time so I can be here when they get home. I was a financial analyst/accountant pre-kids, but never worked in an environment that was flexible enough for part time or even full time that didn't involve a ton of over time. I'm hoping I can find a line of work within my field that will be more flexible. It may be in a different area than what I have experience in from the past (i.e. maybe tax accounting for a small firm instead of financial reporting for a larger corporation). So I'm hoping I won't have to start at the bottom again, someone will take a chance with me, and I can find a good fit somewhere when the time comes.

 

Ditto Alden - volunteer work can be a great way to get started. You gain skills/experience, people get to know you & see your work ethic, and you make lots of new connections.

 

My mom was always a SAHM even when all the kids were in school. SHe always said her day was from 6-9 am and from 3-11 pm. That is a lot of hours. Plus in Elem school she came to every one of our classrooms every week. I dond't think just b/c kids are in school they don't need you home, if anything they need you more. Your time and influence is limited enough as it is that I don't want to make it less with working. I am a former teacher and could teach but not in a rush to even do that. I say if you can afford to stay home there is still plenty to do. And your kids will benefit from it as well. Get involved in PTA/PTO, volunteer in classrooms, volunteer in the community, use the extra time to get your kids involved in worthwhile activities after school.

 

i'm wondering what i'll do as well. my associate's degree i got in 1995 is worthless now. dh will expect me to get a job when they start school. i get stressed out just thinking about having to find a job!

tanya

 

This is what I was thinking. You might be able to parlay your bilingual skills into some sort of paying gig. Maybe even contact the State Department about translating, or getting your teaching certificate and teach French.

Also, you can go to community college if you want to go back to school. Most of them have an open door policy, meaning you only have to be over 18 and have a GED or high school diploma. The rates are very reasonable, there are grants available, and you can get an Associate's degree or vocational training toward a career. I'm a big community college advocate! :good:

 

Your schedule sounds awesome, Marissa!! Your kids' school sure is lucky to have you!!

 

I'm actually looking to return to the workforce ASAP, because I need time away to keep my sanity, and working is one way I can justify getting out of the house.

 

When kids head to school it seems like they need you even more! There are days I need a sitter just to get my kids to their activites/events and I don't work at all. This past week I was at the schools everyday- field trips for two kids, halloweeen parties for 4 kids, volunteer work two partial mornings. Next week I have 3 parent conferences (during school hours, two mornings of volunteer stuff and an IEP meeting for a preschooler.

Around here a lot of parents do go back to work when their kid hits 1st grade and then stop when the kid hits middle school so they can be around more.

I've decided that once all my kids are in school full time (in 3 years) I'm going to take a year to be a tennis club mom and focus on me for a little. Then I'll figure out what I want to be when I grow up and get started. Although my degrees, training and experience will allow me to jump back in pre0tty quickly, I'3m not sure I still want to do that. So I may need to take a few years to get settled in another area.

 

I'm a nurse in a professional world, yet I'm not licensed due to being a SAHM for the last 8yrs. Once the kids are all in school there would be no way that I could go back to work as there are no nursing schedules in our small town that would support me being home (my husband is gone 26 of 28 days a mth).

So - I am going to drive a school bus! Yep - follows my kids schedule perfectly. I can drive bus morning/afternoon and be home for them (since they would be on my bus) and I can do field trips during the day when they're in school. I can still have other days to run errands and clean house so it would fit perfectly with me and bring in a little bit more cash for the kids activities.