Update on the Money Situation

[lisettelovebug]

As many of you may remember, my husband was laid off in march. Well since then we have both been looking for work. Dh has had a hard time because there just isn't much out there right now for a cnc or manual machinist. We are still both hoping that they call him back to his old job. He worked 36 hours a week on weekends 7pm-7am and got paid for 40. It was a really awesome job.

So. Like I said I have been putting in resumes too. I think I sent out about 50 of them since the end of April . Basically sending one out if the job was something I could even remotely do. I wasn't even called for a teller position at a bank... wow. anyway enough with the rant. LOL. I did go on a few interviews and even had some second interviews. It is actually funny - every interview I have had has been for a brand new position. Obviously some companies are doing better now,- they can make new positions and hire more people. So, I had a second interview at a place that deals with computers and POS devices. I still haven't heard from them but he said it might not be until after the 20th because of a death in the family.

The other job I had a second interview for is working as an assistant working with teenagers with disabilities who are transitioning to work or college. The day after I went to the 2nd interview I got a call and she offered me the job. YEAH!!! So I will no longer be a SAHM. That is a little depressing, but I will be fine. My job is actually going to be awesome. And can you believe that twittering and blogging helped me get the job? I will be using social media to help reach out to young people. The job was originally for 24 hours a week, but when they interviewed me the second time they asked if i would mind full time - 35 hours - and I would also be working with the new database they were working on. I am real excited about this job. and really I get to be creative so that is good too. Originally she told me I would either start August 3, 11, or 17 depending on how fast they got someone moved out of the location and into a new location. But i got a call today and I start on July 27!!! Awesome!

We would have been ok financially until September when our savings would have been depleted. So I am glad we will finally have some money coming in. We have been really careful with what we spend (even entered the All You Grocery Challenge to try to keep our spending down). Now I have to buy clothes next week and I have a list of things I wanted to get done before starting work.

Anyone have any tips on how I might better adjust?

Hubby will be home with the kids and I am hoping (no, I am praying) that he will come through and help out with a majority of the household chores. I have been a SAHM for 2 1/2 years - it might be tough the first day. Hubby was saying I might want to come home for lunch (I am only 8 blocks away) but I told him that that would be tough on me and the kids. I will be going to work at 8 am so the kids won't be out of bed yet, so that will make leaving in the am easier. With getting out at 4 I will have extra time with the kids (provided hubby has dinner ready and I don't have to do that).

Thanks in advance for any ideas or tips on how to make this transition easier.

[Libby]

Tips for adjusting on the parenting switch? Start having him take over the daily routine so the kids can transition easier? Explain to the kids you will be working now and won't see them until dinner time. I guess by going over it and explaining it constantly will help b/c when you are gone, all your hubby has to do is repeat what you've constantly discussed and they'll remember.

Assuming he's home with you now during the days, maybe set up a schedule and post it on the fridge. Schedule/list of what you do and when. You know, a daily to do list to sort of help him out?

Monday - take kids to the park, laundry
Tuesday - swimming with the kids, bake bread, grocery shop
Wednesday - pay bills, movie afternoon with kids @ library
ETC ETC ETC

Also list your meal plan (at least dinner) and help him by pulling things out the night before (to thaw if need be) and note when to take out the garbage and recycling.

Something simple like that?

Those are just my suggestions. Hope that helps.

PS: Congrats on landing the job!

[mauimagic]

congratulations Lisettelovebug!! Good for you - your enthusiasm makes you perfect for the job!!

Remember that your DH taking over your role is a process and that it will take time!! No advice - just sending good wishing your way!!

[frugalfranny]

Congrats! I am glad things are starting to look up for you.

Good luck with the transition. Hoping it is very smooth and everything goes fine.

[FrugalMomof3]

Congrats on landing the nw job! WOO HOO!

Now transitioning.... have DH start doing a few of the things you normally do during the day that involve the kids, such as making them breakfast and cleaning up the dishes, messes, etc...

I would also suggest that he start now with doing household chores so he understands what is expected. We dont want him to become a couch potatoe and you having to work and then come home and work, just wouldnt be fair.

[onencgirl]

Congrats on the new job. Good luck with the transition. Hang in there, all will work out.

[dean]

Great news on the job.
DH will do just fine, with a little guidence from you beforehand.
Maybe you could come home for lunch say, Tues. & Thur., that would give them something to look forward to and in the process, you could check on DH's progress with them. Leave a short list each day. Very easy at first, then you can add the tougher stuff to it as you go along.

[Siebrie]

My dh is a SAHD too, and the most difficult thing for me was to let him be in charge of the housework and to let him make his own decisions / mistakes. Sometimes, my hands ache to finish something he started, or to do something he overlooked. But I have to be tough on myself, or he'll never learn to be completely responsible.

Right now, he cooks all meals, does most of the shopping, looks after our dd 1y, hangs the laundry, irons some (but only on my request), vacuums and dusts if he thinks the house is dirty (which is about 2 weeks after I think it's dirty).

I still do the laundry, fold the laundry, keep an eye on the stockpile and make a shopping list, tell him when dd can have a new food, bathe dd (he washes her daily, but finds her too slippery to bathe ;-)).

And yes, sometimes I get upset when I come home and the house is a mess, and it's not just dd's toys, but also clothes, shoes, computer wires, etc and he tells me that he spent the afternoon watching a movie...... He's willing, but the flesh is weak and old habits die hard.

He will be a fulltime student come September, so we will have to readjust again, but I'm happy he knows how to run a basic household and we'll get there. I think we'll do what we did when we were both working: spend Saturday morning cleaning the house. It takes about 3 hours and everything gets done.

[frugalwarrior]

Definately on the list. Bite your tongue and don't criticize his efforts. When my DB started this (laid off newspaper guy/ acct. temp wife) the house was a sty. Just takes awhile.

[WV_mom_of2]

I work full time in the summer. Here are a couple of ideas from me....

1. I use my crockpot or make meals ahead of time and put in the fridge for them to warm up. I work 1-9 three days a week so I'm not here at dinner time. If I make something ahead it's easier on them and I know they all ate something good LOL. Today I made pizza casserole and they can heat and eat later! Tomorrow I'm putting a venison roast in the crockpot.

2. I agree with having him take over some things now. That way if he has questions or you have suggestions to make it easier you can get it taken care of now. And lists are great! I leave lists for my dh and the kids (13 and 17) on weekends so that they do some of the work around here!

[MomToTwoBoys]

I wish I could help, but I did want to say congrats on the new job!

The only real things I could suggest would be to have him slowly start out with chores and focus on one room at a time. Crockpot meals might be really good, even if the side dish and veggies are something that he'll have to take care of.

[Michelle68]

Congrats on the new job! Many others have given you some great advice. I hope all goes smoothly.

[kaurand554]

I would suggest making sure you are both on the same page with regards to what the division of labor will be.

If you anticipate him taking over for you because he is now at home; he may not understand what that assumption means on your part..... Men and women are just wired differently :-) as we all know.

Congrats on the job! It sounds like it will be very exciting!

[cissylu]

Just wanted to tell you congrats on the job.

[Debbie-cat]

I am sure the transition will go fine. Congrats on the job!