I think I have nearly exhausted the possibilities.

[cedailey]

I have been a SAHM for 6 years.  I've been homeschooling for 2.  I love what I do, truly love it. And the kids like having me there.  So when I had to leave my ex, I examined all my finances carefully, and decided to see if I could continue.  I cut my electric in half, turned off the cable, arranged my outings to use less gas, and began "extreme" couponing.  And I was managing to turn 3 small income sources into enough. Then my car needed a $700 repair, thankfully I received two checks for christmas gifts, and had some money from the 2 months I got my electric under $75 ( I budget $100 and set aside any extra, supposed to be for next summer when the AC is on) plus savings and little money I'll need to replace later.  So the family has a running car for our Christmas present. Then my VA money got cut by $60 a month.  And I just can't find anywhere else to trim.

So, the answer, of course, is to bring in more money.  I'm trying... After all, even before the cut, my VA didn't cover us. I do odd jobs, pet sit, house sit, babysit, tutor, run errands for people.  Basically, if I can do it with my kids along, I'm willing to give it a go.  Unfortunately, business is poor.  I advertise, online, word of mouth, business cards.  But the truth is many people are uncomfortable with hiring someone with kids in tow.  And most of my personal aquaintances, the ones who know my work ethic and kids behavior, are also sahms, meaning 1 income families, so no funds to hire me to do what they can do for themselves.

So it looks like I will have to throw in the towel.  My kids will have to head off to school and daycare so that I can head off to work, and probably full time at that.  For, of course, I will be working to pay childcare and commuting gas and work clothes, all things that I don't need, use or pay for now.

I do know, that I am comparitively well off, and there are many people who are in far worse situations than I.  *THIS IS A VENT* Just a little steam blown off for a dream that seems to be dying.

[kkbird]

Dec. 12, 2010 at 1:16 AM

hang in there sweet momma.... its all about you and them kids and the will to strive for them, their happiness as well as yours...hugs

 

[mtnmama111]

Dec. 12, 2010 at 12:17 PM

I know it is hard momma to give up on your dreams.. I wanted VERY BADLY to homeschool my two- we tried several different ways/times- it just isn't in the cards for us- I do not have the temperament to teach two very active children, it broke my heart to discover this about myself- but what was best for them was NOT me.. so they are at school.. hugs momma.. I hope it works out for you.

[RoseWall]

Dec. 12, 2010 at 7:43 PM

hugs

[sunmoonstars071]

Dec. 13, 2010 at 7:51 AM I'm so sorry, the decision you made is very difficult to say the least. We were in a similar financial situation a year ago, and I had to quit homeschooling my children so I could work. My husbands income had been cut 3/4 and we were being garnished. So, I have to work because my daycare simply wasn't enough. Hugs to you, and your family.

[ErinHill226]

Dec. 13, 2010 at 12:35 PM

There are jobs you can do from home, businesses to start, freelance work to be done. I would try finding something you could do more for other businesses than for consumers directly. And not direct sales. I work from home with my kids around and nobody cares because I don't have to tell them...and I pay all the bills and extra most months, depending on how much I feel like working. And no, I am not trying to get you to sign up for a business. In fact, if you did what I do, you would be my competition...but I enjoy it a lot and I know it CAN be done if you can hang in just enough to get yourself going. There a lot of things freelancers can do.

[cedailey]

Dec. 14, 2010 at 9:58 AM

Thank you for all of the encouragement and suggestions, ladies.  I'm going to keep trying for another month or two.  Yesterday, a woman I know asked me to come help her deep clean her house.  Our children can entertain each other while we scrub floors and walls, do ceiling fans and chest freezers, all those things you never seem to get to when your kids are very small.  She's going to pay me "at least $50 and probably more depending on how much we get done"  And we got adopted by a church I have never heard of (we aren't even christian) and got $100 in a Christmas card yesterday.  So I have enough to hold on a little longer while I hunt more steady income.

(Original Poster)