Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

As some of you know I chose to be a SAHM the end of May. My son turned 3 and was accepted to the preschool program at school to get extra help for speech and OT since his EI ended.
It was too much to do daycare, school, work, etc.
DH and I talked about it and decided it would be best for me to stop working. I was eith the co. for 12 years right out of college.

So, the other day I get a call from an agent I worked with. I didn't know him, but new the co. He said I was recommended b.c he's looking for someone part time. Basically to manage a 75 to 80 sight location. Even though I'd work for their company I'd be considered self employed. I can work from home and it's part time.

For anyone who works part time with two little ones how do you manage it? I think it could be a great thing for us. Flexible, work from home and once in a while have to travel. I have a 1 yr old too. Just hoping I'd get time to get work done. Maybe when the baby naps. Get a babysitter once in a while? My parents live around the corner so that helps.
Thoughts?

Re: Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

Depending on how many hours PT means AND if your parents can help out a few hours on the days you need to accomplish work then go for it!!

Or even if your parents are not available but the $$ is good enough to pay a sitter a few hours each of those days it sounds worth it!

Re: Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

I worked about 18 hours/week from home this year with a newborn that never slept more than 45 minutes at a clip but even when he started long regular naps (he's now 12M) it's been hard working at home without childcare. Relying on his naps doesn't always work out and with him I can't do one thing while he is awake. So if I did it over I'd get childcare for at least half of the hours. Good luck!!

Re: Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

that sounds like a great opportunity to keep your foot in the door. I enjoy working to keep myself sane (lol). With the extra income, you can afford to have a babysitter if needed.

Re: Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

depends on the type of work to do from home. I have a stationery business I do from home and on the days I have orders to get out, he has to go to daycare. I would never get anything done b/c he will hang on me all day long.

If you have someone to help at home for a bit while you do the work at home, then great. DO it.

I was working part time as well and was laid off..would love to get something part time that is mostly home based.

Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

I work part time - 3 days in the office and 1 day from home. DD is 8 months old. The day I work from home can be a challenge without chidcare. When she naps great it's perfect. When she doesn't it can be a real pain to try and get anything done. I've started to have someone come from 10-2 so I have a solid 4 hours of uninterrupted work. That seems to be working great so far.

Re: Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

I am a FTWM but before I had this job I worked from home. It can be tough without kids because you can always fins stuff to do around the house to procrastinate.

I was also on a 1099 and if you do not either put money aside for taxes or pay your estimated taxes quarterly be ready for a HUGE tax bill come April. I would have a 20K tax bill. I was makign good money but was really bad at savign for the taxes. 1099 sounds good but in the end I would much rather pay taxes all along trough the employer.

Re: Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

I had the same thing happen to me when I left my FT job 3 yrs ago to stay home. I was contacted by an old boss who had recently started a new company. Being a start-up, he let me choose my own days/hours and was very flexible. It worked out for me. I work about 20 hours a week (2 days at work,plus a few hours from home). It is the best of both worlds. When I first started this 3 yrs ago, I only had one child... so my MIL watched him while i worked. When the twins were born, I had to put them in daycare 2 daysa week.

Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

I too have a stationery business and work from home. I have 2 toddlers - and neither are in school or daycare. It's very tough and I do much of my work overnight which means I dont sleep much. I have zero help though so im sure if you do it will be much better! I think it would be great to keep a foot in the door.

Re: Possible work opportunity... Thoughts

It is really difficult to do work at home without proper childcare.

I was originally planning to be a SAHM when DS#2 was born. I got a part time job when he was 8 months old.

The first part time job I got was very well paid with flexible hours. It was a very reputable company with high profile clients. I had to attend about 1-2 meetings per week and had the option of working at home or doing the work in their office. Sounds perfect, right?

At first it was awesome. I was back in the groove and felt human again. Then it was hard to find decent childcare who was available at a whim. I found that anyone who is a decent childcare provider would either want a set schedule or you could not rely on them to be on call for you to use them.

What happened most of the time was I would do the bulk of my work after the kids went to bed and I would work at night. This was a disaster.

I ended up finding another part time job where I only did work in the office and the office was in the same town as where we lived. It was a dream come true! It started off being an hourly wage (less than the first job but still decent). He ended up hiring me on a salary. I work about 25-30 hours a week. I basically come in almost everyday and do full time work but on my schedule. I can still take DS to Gymboree and the playground and go on playdates.

My older son attends preschool and we have a full time nanny. We could not find adequate part time care. All our options were limited.

Message edited 7/13/2012 12:03:43 PM.