Help me decide if I should quit my job!

[CarlisleMom]

One more thought: If you want to stay with the school system, have you considered driving a bus? Here, we can't get people to do that job. It doesn't pay all that well, but it also doesn't take up your whole day.

I live in Central PA. The bus company in my district allows you to take your children on your run with you. They even try to have you drive your kids school route. Preschool age kids allowed. Found this out at a food store safty day and talk to the bus drivers who where there giving tours of a yellow bus.

 

[bumbershoot]

I am currently reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, so maybe I'll learn a few tricks to living a debt-free life so that the need for additional income is not as present!

Good for you! Be sure to look at his website for the free content, and be sure to join livinglikenooneelse.com (llnoe.com) message boards to read "real life" ways to put the ideas into practice.


If someone came to me and said "go to work, spend all this time away from home and son, and I'll give you $100 per week", I would say NO.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Thank you all for your input - it really is helpful to hear an outsiders point-of-view!

I am in PA too, and I do have to put money into the state retirement system. I kind of forgot that I do that! LOL I also looked at our bargaining agreement, and saw that I will get an increase in pay next year, and a more significant one the following year.

I also spoke with "my teacher" today and she is fairly certain that the admins will be flexible and possibly let me take off early on the early dismissal days. It still means I would have to find day care for my youngest a few days a week, but it's more manageable than finding care for all 3 kids.

So it looks like I may be able to work this out, and in the meantime I am keeping my eyes open for any postings in the elementary schools too.

I had to laugh at the person who suggested hiring a high school student - my sister suggested the same thing until I reminded her that the entire reason why *I* couldn't be home was because the high school doesn't get out until 2:30. It would be super easy if one of the high school kids in the neighborhood could watch the kids - I'd do it in a heartbeat!!!

I am trying to remain flexible and also keep what's best for me and the kids in mind. I am hoping that a solution will become clear soon!

 

[MinnieForMe]

It's so little money compared to the stress you are going to feel trying to make sure your son is transported to school and has someplace to go. I say stay home for the next two years. There are so many other ways to make $100 a week (if that's all you'd clear after childcare). You stated that there is no place that will take preschoolers on Wednesday, so why not fill that need in your community? You could offer an aftercare program for children who are your son's age. I bet with your teaching experience you can make more money and still be home with your son.

Good luck!

 

[mami2camjax]

I'd say keep the job - you enjoy it, as long as you can get childcare figured out, why not keep at it.

I also would HIGHLY recommend looking into Drexel's teacher certification program - do you currently have a bachelor's degree? If so, this program is great, I'm currently getting my teacher certification through their post bachelors certification program and am loving it, very good program!

 

[andrews_dad]

I'd be out of that job. Too many hours and hassle for such a small net pay. After you subtract the day care costs and gas costs, minus taxes ..... um, you are working for peanuts.