It has been good to be there for the kids however it has been draining for our family finances as our income has been reduced now then I’m on NPL. I have been thinking if it would be possible for me to switch from a SAHM to a WAHM in the coming year. It would be impossible to work outside the house and juggling the schedule of the 3 kids solo so I have to find something which I can do within the house and not take up the majority of my time.
The options are quite limited and frankly I’m not certain if I will be able to handle the extra workload while taking care of the house and family. There will be increasing demands on me as besides mothering duties to my 1yr old I’ll be stepping up academic activities with all the kids.
Doggie boy will be in Kindergarten 2 next year and I will have to make sure that he is adequately prepared for Primary 1 the next year. Monkey boy will be in Primary 2 and even though his results are not that bad he still has to be carefully guided in the more difficult components of composition and comprehension for both English and Mandarin. Tiger girl on the other hand would be old enough and I’ll be starting music and movement/ arts & crafts besides language lessons with her which I did with her brothers when they were young.
The economy is also tanking and I’ve seen freelance writing gigs getting harder and harder to find. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been really actively looking for them and don’t want to sell my services cheap. Maybe I should brush up my other skills or re-start baby classes that I carried out when Doggy boy was 1yr old.. Decisions Decisions..
What do you recommend?
17 comments
Sarita Edgerton
November 13, 2011 at 9:29 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I wait tables at night while my husband works during the day. This helps out immensely but as your are a single mom, I know that won’t do much good for you. I pray that you find something to help out. Maybe medical transcription or something. Over from vB featured members! Congrats! I would appreciate a follow back!
Sarita Edgerton recently posted..‘Fess Up Friday
Dominique
November 13, 2011 at 9:56 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
@Sarita,
thanks for your congrads and supportive words. I’m not a single mom but feel like one most of the times as hubs flies very frequently for work and I have to handle all 3 kids on my own. Great to know that you and your hubby are able to work out a schedule and both get to contribute financially towards the family..that’s great!!
Shanan
November 13, 2011 at 11:02 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
That would be a tough schedule to try to work around with the kids. I work outside the home and if I didn’t have the help of my family I am not sure how I would get it all done.
What really makes me laugh is when people tell me that it will get easier when she is a little older–I am finding that it isn’t really easier or harder. It is just different. My daughter has different needs that I need to meet in different ways.
Thank you for your post–it is always nice to know that I am not alone.
Shanan
http://yogi-mommy.blogspot.com/
Shanan recently posted..Toddler Talk Thursday (4)
Shannon Milholland
November 13, 2011 at 11:57 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
What an accomplishment to be able to spend more time with your kids! With four kids, I have found that the traditional 9-5 job is simply not an option. Sending you happy thoughts as you navigate this decision. (Visiting from VB Featured Members)
Shannon Milholland recently posted..Day 27 of Prayer Guide – Peace for Your Heart
Courtney P.
November 14, 2011 at 1:12 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Hello! I’m following because you’re a featured blogger on VoiceBoks! I’m also following you on Facebook and Twitter.
I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
Much Love,
Courtney
http://www.peaceloverecipes.com
Courtney P. recently posted..Raspberry-Glazed Chicken
Grandma Bonnie
November 14, 2011 at 3:19 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
You have some hard choices ahead of you. It is too bad that most mothers do not have the option to stay home and raise their children like in the past.
Stopping by from VB featured members. i am now following. I hope you stop by and follow back.
Grandmabonniescloset.blogspot.com
Julesmpg
November 14, 2011 at 4:58 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I also would work days while my husband worked nights. I too am making the transition into working again after staying at home 6 years. It’s rough but at least my kids are older.
Stopping by from Vboks, you and I are featured members. I am following you now.
Julesmpg recently posted..How I was motivated by Twitter to get fit.
christine (lulobird)
November 14, 2011 at 5:07 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I love this post! What a great idea. I had to look up my children’s chinese zodiac after reading it. I have twin earth rats, one fire ox and I am a rabbit : )
christine (lulobird) recently posted..Reaching 100! {Sales on Etsy}
By Word of Mouth Musings
November 14, 2011 at 6:44 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
My SOC post was about how much my hub travels lately … its hard!
love to you …
My goodness tho, that sounds like a huge educational commitment you have going for those little things!!!!
By Word of Mouth Musings recently posted..Stream of Consciousness
Dominique
November 14, 2011 at 9:31 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Yes…it’s really hard especially these few months where he is flying every month for 2-3 weeks each time. He flies all over Asia.
foreverfriends
November 15, 2011 at 12:59 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
What’s VB?
Have you ever consider giving tuition? You should be in great demand being an ex teacher
Dominique
November 15, 2011 at 3:21 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
It’s Voiceboks.. a community site which I joined.. I did consider giving tution however for younger kids in primary school the parents would require me to go to their house instead in the afternoons or nights and it’s not really possible at this stage. It would be the same also if I taught in a centre.
foreverfriends
November 16, 2011 at 8:29 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
There are some tuition center or enrichment which engage teachers to teach at their home such as I Creative Learner and this tuition center http://mwtuition.com.sg/join-tutor
Dominique
November 16, 2011 at 9:00 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
@Shook,
thanks for your information will check them out.
foreverfriends
November 16, 2011 at 9:13 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Wish they offer something that suits you.
How I wish I can join them
Fadra
November 20, 2011 at 10:56 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I wish I had the answers too. I enjoy having a flexible schedule for my son but it would be nice to earn more income. At least I married well (but he’s been traveling a lot too)!
Fadra recently posted..An Anniversary Party for Dansko
Dominique
November 20, 2011 at 3:22 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
@Fadra,
I guess that it’s a give and take situation where the family needs come first over potential extra income for both of us. Glad that you married well too..I know how complex it is with travelling husbands but I guess with a higher paying job travelling in expected. I guess we can never be comfortable with them being away from home so often and so long.