What on earth can I do?

[misshardbroom]

Slowly, realisation is dawning that I'm going to need to get a job.

Quick background: BA degree, then worked as an account manager until I had dd in 2003. Have been a SAHM ever since, and have 3 children now, of 5, 4 & 3.

DH makes enough money to pay the mortgage & bills but we're not flush with money (who is, these days?). I've enough outside interests & things going on that I don't want to work for my own fulfilment, but we do need the money.

BUT... no family of any sort anywhere nearby so any childcare would have to be paid for.

I'm trying to think what I could realistically do long term and fit around three young children, school days, term times etc., ideally without having to use any sort of after school club / childminder / nursery.

DS2 (the youngest) goes to school in September 2010. For lots of reasons I would really like to retrain as a teacher (and not because I think it's just the convenient option, I'm well researched & realistic about the hours, planning, marking etc.) but unless you teach in the school your children attend, I can't see how that would work either. I can't even see how I'd get to college to do a PGCE.

I know I'm in cloud cuckoo land about the childcare thing, but I'd really welcome any advice or ideas about how I could get back into work and what I could do.

TBH the only job I can think of that would be term time only and fitting around their school day would be a teaching assistant in the same school that they attend. Which is poor money.
Nothing else is really going to fit is it?
Teachers routinely work from 8/8.30 until 5 or later in school (and then bring work home too!!).
Why do you have such an issue about not wanting to pay out on childcare? TBH once your kids are in school, the bulk of the day you're not paying a bean are you?
I would look at organising childcare and broaden your options personally.

even TA's don't leave when the bell rings though, they can't pick up their kids from a different school either unless they have childcare

Yes - that's why i said it would need to be a TA in the school her kids attend. The TAs I know are contracted just for school hours.

Hi there, it's a nightmare to fit things around school times,I've tried for 3 years and have finally given up, I was just always stressed out!

A couple of months ago, a friend introduced me to this new business:

www.telecomplus.org.uk/energize
under 'The Opportunity'

Since then, I've been working for myself. I found this the best way to make some extra money while not loosing out on time with the kids!

I only spend a couple of hours a week on it because I'm looking after my little one most of the time, but this is flexible and how much you do is really up to you. It's not really 'work' as such either, I mainly chat to other mums and have a look at whether I can save them some money while the kids are having a playdate - that sort of thing.

And it's very much the right thing at the right time because it's all about saving people money! (Who doesn't want to save money at the moment!) If you think you may be interested, take a look at the site, or send me a message if you'd like to know more...

could being a childminder fit in with these things? or being a nanny taking your own children along where necessary?

What about working as an independent Usborne rep? You could take your children with you. You also get the added benefit of getting cheap books for your little ones and for xmas pressies too!

Angela x

It is a nightmare, I've been trying for a long time and tbh it got worse as they got older.
Every childcare arrangement has a downside I can't live with.
Personally I am investing in myself by doing voluntary work to enhance my CV, taking college courses etc so when the time comes when the last child is settled into senior school I shall launch myself into some £100k job and make up for all the years of robbing Peter to pay Paul, until then we'll juggle.

I've got a friend who's doing the Usborne thing and it seems to work pretty well for her. I guess you have to be the right sort of person though, quite outgoing and sociable.

What about forum moderator type roles, there were some advertised in the jobs section on here?

Teaching assistants or playground supervisors spring to mind. Or maybe part time teaching assistants if such a thing exists to be sure that you are home?

I work 2 evenings per week doing office work. You could try some agencies to see if they have something suitable, so long as DH is not too late home.