Considering quitting my job...

**AmyMCGS** · 07-19-2006, 09:20 AM

Rambling thoughts here... looking for some advice/ opinions.

I'm seriously considering quitting my regular job.... PT Activity Director in a nursing home... if I can come up with another way to bring in $600 per month. (I worked full-time until DD was born, have only worked PT since then.) Since DS requires so much care, and can't be taken to a daycare program with other kids, I'd really rather stay home full-time. As it stands now, a family member would watch both kids one day a week (free or cheap) and DH would be home the other day I work.

However, we'd be about $600 per month short on bills if I had no income, so obviously I can't just quit without an alternate source of income. We've already cut down expenses, and we don't pay for daycare or anything else that would really change expense-wise by me staying at home. (Edited to add: OK, our gas expenses would go down without my commute!)

My sister just got a job at a casual restaurant here in my town, and on her first night as a solo waitress, she was assigned only two tables and made $75 in tips. :surprise: Once she's got the hang of it, she'll have six or so tables on each 4-5 hour shift. I keep thinking that I could waitress a few nights per week (I was a waitress in college) and actually be bringing home more money than I make now... not to mention that there's no meetings, no paperwork, no 30-minute commute to deal with. Working a couple of short evening shifts would be easier as far as finding babysitters, too.

On the other hand, I'm not sure how I'd feel waitressing.... I wouldn't be using my hard-earned degree, and I really do enjoy my job & my coworkers. (Not so much the stress that comes with it!) Also, my boss has gone way above and beyond the call of duty to accomodate me... I missed ten weeks of work earlier this year with my pregnancy complications, and now I'm off on maternity leave. I'd feel a little guilty if I didn't go back after all she's done to help me.

If I could find a legitimate work-from-home business that would be reliable for that much $$ per month, I'd do that. I can't do secret shopping right now since DS can't be out in public for a while yet.

Ugh. I'm confused, conflicted.... any advice?

**MandiDawn** · 07-19-2006, 09:37 AM

Maybe you could waitress for a year or so until DS can go to daycare, then you could ease back into a job using your degree?

**waterlover** · 07-19-2006, 10:12 AM

It sounds to me that you have a good relationship with your boss. You could tell her what your telling us, that your son needs lots of care, and take the waitressing job. I would continue contact with your boss and coworkers by having lunch with one or more once a month, periodically calling them etc. So if at some point you would want to go back to the type of work that your in now you have the contacts, if you couldn't get a job with your current employer they would be good referrals or might know of jobs available.

I would also consider that the price of gas is going to continue rising so you might want to consider that in you commutting budget.

**Mom23boys** · 07-19-2006, 03:37 PM

Would your boss be willing to let you perform any of your job duties at home? Then you would be able to be with your son more often.

**bamamomto4** · 07-27-2006, 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by MandiDawn

Maybe you could waitress for a year or so until DS can go to daycare, then you could ease back into a job using your degree?

I agree with this..

**Valerie in WA** · 07-27-2006, 03:03 PM

So, as it stands, if you return to your AD job after your leave, you'll only work two days a week, and dh is home one of them and on the other, a family member babysits? That sounds like a pretty good deal. You mention "I could waitress a few nights per week." JMHO, but I'd rather work two days a week for a sure income, than waitress a 'few' nights for iffy tips.

I understand wanting to be home full time, but I don't think changing jobs is the way to be home full time. A work-at-home job is, but those are hard to find - if I had any ideas in that arena, I'd be using them myself.

Also, how often is a waitress going to make $75 off of two tables? Say the average table is four people, and an entree is $15, plus one drink each ($5) and one dessert each ($5) - that's $100. The typical tip would be $15. Six tables a night is $90. That's if you don't get stiffed by college kids, or cranky people, or whatever.

One more thing: you're more likely to encounter and bring home illness in a restaurant than a nursing home. Your ds needs all of you to work together to protect him from germs.

**bamamomto4** · 07-27-2006, 09:49 PM

Amy--I really think you need to do whats in your heart.And what ever choice you make,will be the best one for you..and your children

**miss_thrifty** · 07-27-2006, 10:33 PM

Amy, like Tammy said, do what your heart tells you. Thats what makes you happy.

**annalaurab** · 07-28-2006, 02:52 PM

You could consider starting a work from home business. I'm involved with a great one. However, depending upon your work ethic, time invested and other factors you may or may not necessarily make $600 a month during the first few months although you could easily make much more than that after a few months. I would love to discuss it further with you, if you want.

**i.m.cheap** · 07-28-2006, 04:58 PM

The two days a week you are working now, sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. I have waitressed (alot!) and it can pay pretty well, but you might have to breathe second hand smoke, and you can count on working weekends and holidays. Dealing with the public in this capacity can be draining.