not sure what I should do

[ttistin]

I started working at a local school here in the lunch room. I love working with the kids, especially the younger ones.

But (and it is a big but) is that I am not making enough money. I am bringing home just under $200 every two weeks. So less then $100 a week. I know it is an income and I am very happy with that but I need more income. $8.50 an hour at 3 hours a day isn't much. Dh is working but he has only been working about 30 hours a week if that many.

I love working at the school because I do not have to pay a babysitter. At the same time when summer comes along I will not get paid for summer break.

As much as I do not want to I am thinking about quitting the school and finding something else. I was thinking something while the kids were in school but then on school breaks/summer I would have to find/pay a babysitter.

The other option would be to work nights, but with dh leaving the house between 6-6:30am I would have to be home by then and most 3rd shifts are 11-7, unless I could find something with earlier hours?

Another option I was thinking was babysitting here at home. I looked around and no other school around here is hiring, so that is out.

What to do?!?!

[Debbie-cat]

When you have children and work for a school it is great. Your hours are the same as when your children are in school...no sitters! I do understand though that the pay isn't alot although I am sure it helps. Did you talk to the principal to see if there is anything else at that school that might be available? It is worth a try.

Otherwise I would probably recommend babysitting at home. That way you will be making more money but won't have to pay for your own sitter!

Good luck...I have been there and it is a difficult decision.

[hotprincesscm]

I think if you can, try the daycare at home option. They make decent money, and you are always there for your kids. It's hard in this economy to find anything! good luck!

[Contrary Housewife]

I would try to find something else at the school first, or close by, even if it is only a couple more hours. And try to pick up some more skills. Look and see what other jobs people around you are doing and try to learn them.

[frugalfranny]

I agree with Contrary......check at the school first. Tell them you really need some more hours and are willing to learn to do something else, even part time, to fill in when you aren't in the lunch room. Check and see what is open and see if you qualify.

You have to get a clientele before you will make any money with the sitter......and that could take awhile. Do you have ANY prospects for it at this time? I certainly wouldn't quit this job until I had something else FOR SURE to go to. Something coming in is better than zip.

Look for something else in your 'off hours' if the school has nothing. Maybe in the meantime you could pickup some weekend sitting. Ask at a co. that has shift work if you can place an ad on their bulletin board for sitting.

Do you know what I mean when I say put your number in 'tear off' listings on the ad? You place the ad on the page with all the info and then at the bottom of the page you put your phone number written VERTICALLY and cut on each side of it.....so all the people have to do is tear off the number at the end of it........the one piece that is still attached to the page.

[ttistin]

the schools around here are really small, The only reason they hired someone for the position is because the lady passed away over the summer. They do not hire very often, for any position.

I am looking around to see what is hiring for the hours I would need. I would prefer to not work nights but I may have to. As long as I can come home and get a little sleep I should be ok. I would like to do the daycare at home, I live on a main road in between two bigger cities. So that may work out. I am going to keep an eye out to see if someone is looking for someone in this area.

I am not quitting my school job until I have something lined up. I can't be without a paycheck, even if it is a small one.

[cissylu]

What about sub teaching?

[WV_mom_of2]

As someone who has done in home daycare, I recommend that you think it over very carefully! It's a tough job and it's very often a thankless one as well. There are constant hassles and headaches from parents and unless you can be a really strict, up front and sometimes mean person with parents, DON'T take it on!

[wjcalderon]

Perhaps you could offer "after-school" care. Parents who work a full day need someone to care for their children until they get off work. Daycare centers charge a lot for that. So you could charge a little less.
That way, you could keep your job at the school and not have the hassle of "all-day" sitting.

[Debbie-cat]

That is a really good idea wjcalderon! You might be able to pick up some of the kids from the school you work at, the parents will know you since you work there and the kids will already know you. You could keep your job at the school and make the extra money after school. A win-win situation.