Conference moira::parenting_v3

1051.0. "soon-2-b at-home-mom needs info" by NAC::KNOX (Donna Knox) Thu Jul 25 1991 13:05

     Hi everyone,

	I will be leaving DEC at the end of August after 9 years of
    software engineering to move from Mass/NH to Colorado, primarily 
    to be able to stay home with my 2 kids (ages 2 1/2 and 4 1/2).  
    However, I do need to earn some money to keep our heads above water.  
    I am not concerned about my 'career' as an engineer as I plan to 
    go back to school in 1-2 years for my masters degree and then later
    teach at the college level. 

	My problem right now is how to earn the money and the potential 
    affect on me and my family.  I am waffling between doing day care 
    for ONE toddler/preschooler in my home full time days or working 
    nights/maybe weekends at a minimum wage job in Woodland Park, where 
    we are buying a house. I looked into part-time teaching a night class 
    at the colleges in Colorado Springs but only got one possible nibble 
    at a community college because I don't have my masters degree right now. 
    I also thought about finding something I could do at home, nights, like 
    on a PC or something, but don't really know what I could do or how to 
    find it. 

	I looked at most notes in V1, V2 and this conference dealing with 
    providing day care, but found mostly information about contracts and 
    food issues.  Could some of you noters whose spouses provide in-home 
    day care give me some insights on how it works for you?  Affects on 
    your kids and/or their relationship with the at-home parent?  The 
    Woodland Park social  services people are sending me their licensing 
    package, but I guess I'm trying to find out more about the emotional/
    personal-type issues as opposed to the technical aspects of providing 
    in-home day care at this point.

	How about at-home spouses who work part-time nights/weekends? 
    What kind of costs/benefits do you find in this situation?  Outside 
    the house jobs or in the house jobs (and what kind)?

	I don't have to make up my mind immediately, but do feel the need 
    to get as much information now about how the different scenarios have 
    worked for other families. Then I will feel more comfortable about making
    my own choices.	

	As always, thanks for any and all adivce and information.
    
    Donna
    
    32-days-to-Colorado-and-counting
    

    Just to let you know that there is a part time notes conference that
    you might take a look at.  It has some ideas about part time work at
    Digital.
    
    I also went to the library recently and found a few references on part
    time employment - types, how to get started, etc.  I also saw a few
    interesting books at a local bookstore. I am in a different situation
    but wanted to know what kind of work there is.
    
    There are a lot of different types of work - from at-home sales to
    professional work to childcare.  It may be worth it for you to check
    out a few sources, especially since it seems to be something you want
    to do for a short period and it won't affect your engineering career
    when you want to go back to it.  What I mean is you seem open to trying
    a variety of jobs, which is easier than trying to continue your career
    at home.
    
    Good luck.  In many ways I envy you for getting to stay home.
    
    Mary

    
    Our next door neighbor is a area manager (or some such title) for
    Tupperware.   She _really_ enjoys this work particularly because
    she is able to work when she wants/can - i.e. it fits in between
    running her kids to practice, scouts, etc.   I get the impression
    that it is fairly lucrative for her (she has a company-provided
    Caravan!).
    
    Carol

    
    
    Once you get out there, find out about the job shops. These
    are agencies that have software contractors working for them.
    The ones I know locally are Microtemp and The Systems Group.
    These local ones may get you the names of the agencies in Colorado.
    Through these agencies, you may be able to get some part time
    contracts. Good luck. 
    
    
    Eva