So this is my situation - I need to be brigning in some money to supplement my husbands income, but have a special situation. My daughter had a heart transplant 2 years ago and during that time I was home with her. I tried a lot - and I mean A LOT - of different work at home businesses that didn't really work out. A couple of months ago I returned back to work. I was able to return to the same company, but was put in a position with a bit less responsibility because we were afraid attendence might be a problem. Sure enough, it was. I put my now 4 year old daughter in preschool - which she loves - and during the 2 months I was at work she was very sick 3 times, and also has therapy appts twice a week. The problem is that she is on immunosuppressant drugs so her heart is not rejected by her body, but the drugs leave her with just about no immune system, so she gets sick a lot being around other kids in school. For awhile my solution was to keep her home with me as long as possible, but now I feel she really needs the social interaction and learning experiences of being in school. So this week I left my job - I pretty much had a breakdown - I feel guilty and irresponsible when I have to be gone from work to care for my child, and obviously my child is my priority. This is the problem - I dont' want to take her out of school because she loves it so much, but don't have the money for school unless I am working. Any ideas for a very flexible work situation? I have already tried almost every home party business under the sun, so that is not what I am looking for. I have a college degree and professional work experience, just can't manage somethng that isn't super flexable. Any suggestions?
Depending on your work specialty, you could try working for a temp/contract/staffing agency. I used to do accounting for a staffing agency and we had "temps" who worked various contract positions and had been temps/contractors with us for many years. They could alot of times pick some of their own hours, days, etc and it really worked well for alot of them. Some staffing agencies even offer health insurance, 401k, etc.
Would you ever consider substitute teaching? School districts are always looking for substitutes and you take jobs as you are available. If your daughter is sick or has doctor/therapy appointments, you can turn down the sub jobs until you're able to return to work.
Can you get disability for her to help you out some too? I would hope so!!
I know it sounds corny, but bless your heart. I can't imagine what you have already gone through. I wish your daughter well; what an incredible gift she is!
I think TF had some great suggestions that are very worth checking in to (don't forget Mother's Day Out at various churches; they often need more workers). Some less obvious ideas are housesitting, pet sitting/walking/bathing, running errands for business people (offer services such as taking clothing to and from drycleaners, packing and mailing packages, getting their cars detailed while they are in the office...), offer daycare/babysitting/nanny services to a limited number of families. If you like to cook, offer to prepare frozen dinners for a limited number of families for a fee...
I wish you all the best!
What about working at her preschool if there are openings. If no openings are available, get on the list for substitutes so that you can work your way in. OR, work at another preschool or MDO with similar hours.
Best wishes!
