Looking for a PT Job - More Job Search Questions

[mncherokee]

I have 3 kids and have greatly enjoyed being able to be at home since my last child was born...

We scraped together money and made it to WDW this summer and I'll admit.. I want to go back.

I am now looking for a job (so we can make bills more regularly... and save for that future trip to WDW). Wondering if there are other parents out there who have enjoyed time at home and yet are looking for work for the greater good of the family (being able to go on vacation).

 

[happymommy]

My cousin did babysitting at her home when her kids were little. That way she was still home with her kids, but brought in some extra money.

Good luck!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I'm looking for a p/t job here too. I just applied to a tanning salon and the Disney store in the mall. I'm used to working in an office, and thats would I would actually like to do, but I don't think its possible since I wan't to work mostly nights after DH gets home. Its hard - on one hand your not working, and not helping the family, and on the other if you do work, your no longer a SAHM.... who knew parenthood would be so complicated!

 

[PollyannaMom]

How old are your kids?

If they are school age, I would say the best is to get a job for the school - subbing is nice if it's something you'd enjoy, but they also need office help, cafeteria workers, etc. Then you are off the same days as your kids.

If they're still little, there are lots of home party companies. I've done children's books, and know people who've done make-up, jewelry, kitchen things, foods... there is probably one for anything you are into. Then you can set your own hours around your husband's schedule, so you don't have to pay for day care.

Also, with the summer ending, a lot of fast food places, stores, etc. will be looking to replace the high school and college students they had over the summer. The schedules there can sometimes work out nicely too.

Good luck!

 

[mncherokee]

I applied for a couple of PT jobs in my degree area about 10 miles from my home - which is odd since there usually aren't that many jobs around that fit my degree area (I have a masters so I am way overqualified for the fast food/retail route). Keeping my fingers crossed that something will work out. For one of the ones I just applied for, I have actually heard back from them... which is a start!

I don't know how many resumes I have sent out and just get back the standard "Thanks for applying...but we have chosen someone else."

Last year, I subbed in the school dist. which I am still planning on doing again this year. I just need something you can count on a little more. (Takes much longer to save for WDW with a day here and a day there!)

 

[piratemamaof3]

I understand. DH is in mortages and banking so right now is hard. And I stay home w/ my monkeys.. I mean boys. One is still at home so I can't work when they are at school. So I work some evenings at Kohls. I was on the floor and worked a few nights a week. I have started making some changes and now work w/ the ad set team (changing all those gazillion sale signs for all those many sales) and work a few nights a week 9p-2a. A little rough the next day but I get to go in later when every one is almost in bed and I get 2 nights worth of work in one night
Hardest part is not spending my pay check on all the sale stuff I find there but at least I do get some good deals.
Good luck hope you find something that works well for you and your family.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Be careful, that how it started with me.

We took DS to WDW when he was 2 1/2. It was DH's and my first trip to WDW since we were both in college.

I was hooked. DH told me well we can only afford vacations like this every 2-3 years without you working. So I went back to work as an RN, casual ( I work when I want to) 7 years ago.

Its not bad, if I need off I just don't work, like this week. DD is at camp so I took the whole week off. And yea we go on vacation now 1-2 times a year.

Its nice to have the extra money but be careful with what you wish for.

Good Luck!

 

[mncherokee]

I was doing more research on the place I have applied for the job... it looks like the group they are affiliated with does annual retreats at...WDW! I know the place I would be working wouldn't go annually... but the possibility of going sometime intrigues me.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Another vote for looking into your local school district. I've been working as an instructional aide in our school district for 8 years. I like that I get all the same days off as the kids, including teacher work days. I also get my summers off so I don't have to get childcare for the kids. Another plus is that I work basically the same hours that my kids are in school. Besides aides, most districts have part time jobs for office workers, food service workers, crossing guards, etc. It's defintely something to look into if you want to work when your kids are in school and be off when they are.

 

[hmdavid]

I am a consultant for Once Upon a Family, which is a direct sales company. I work mostly from my home and work as much or as little as I want. Obviously, the moreI want to work, the bigger my paycheck! I pretty much took the summer off and now with school starting again I will get back into it and start saving for our next Disney trip!

Where are you in MN? I am a Minnesota girl, too!

 

[mncherokee]

I live 1/2 hour west of Twin Cities on Hwy 12... where are you?

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

I recently started a p/t job. I'm working 10 hours a week as a developmental therapist. I love being with my son, but it's important for me to get out and keep current in my field.

I LOVE my new job. I'm still able to be home with my son most of the time and make fantastic money.

 

[mncherokee]

Be careful, that how it started with me.

Its nice to have the extra money but be careful with what you wish for.

I know about what you wish for! When I became pregnant with my 3rd child... I wished I could stay home with her until Kindergarten... or at least not work FT until then... my 1st child I went back at 6 weeks and my 2nd child she was about 1 1/2 years... my 3rd is now 2 1/2... so I am getting it right now!

Even with the jobs I have applied for, it looks like I will be home during the day with work at night or on weekend when husband can be with kids.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

How old are your kids?

If they are school age, I would say the best is to get a job for the school - subbing is nice if it's something you'd enjoy, but they also need office help, cafeteria workers, etc. Then you are off the same days as your kids.

If they're still little, there are lots of home party companies. I've done children's books, and know people who've done make-up, jewelry, kitchen things, foods... there is probably one for anything you are into. Then you can set your own hours around your husband's schedule, so you don't have to pay for day care.

Also, with the summer ending, a lot of fast food places, stores, etc. will be looking to replace the high school and college students they had over the summer. The schedules there can sometimes work out nicely too.

Good luck!

I see this suggestion all the time here on the disboards when someone starts a thread about p/t work, so I just wanted to put in my 2 cents. I have an event planning comany, and its not all fun and games like everyone thinks (not just on here, but people in general - they think all I do is party ). There is so much work that goes into it, you wouldn't believe it. You get everything together, and then your client changes their mind, and you have to start all over again. If you get a fundraiser, forget about it - thats at least 30 hours a week right there, its so involved!!!
Then the $$$ that you have to put out for advertising, business cards, flyers, postcards, etc. - your actually spending money before you make any. Its also a very seasonal job - right now I'm totaly booked, but I know once the winter comes, I won't hear much for a few months. I'm not trying to discourage anyone, just want to say that its a very hard job, and its only for a few months out of the year (for the most part), so if your looking to do it for real income, think about it again.

 

[mncherokee]

I agree... I have done some at home businesses before... the other feature of an at-home business is that you never leave work... I worked for one woman who expected me to answer the business phone 24/7! (I was booking her rental boat)... also you need to set aside time specifically for the business... otherwise you don't get enough dedicated time to get things going... kids/husband/life interrupting and the next thing you know you are several weeks down the line and haven't gotten to basic business needs that could have taken much less time if you had gone to work rather than try to do it from home.

 

[hmdavid]

I live 1/2 hour west of Twin Cities on Hwy 12... where are you?

We are just north of Brainerd, not too far from you. We have family in the Cities, so we are down there frequently!

 

[reelmom]

I vote for working with the school system. I was a substitute at my kids preschool last year. Since they are both in public school now, I decided to stay at the preschool and teach. It is a church preschool so I work Mon-Thurs 8:30-12:30. I still have time to do what I need before I pick the boys up at 2:30 and I am on the same calender as they are. My money goes into the Disney Fund. Good luck.

 

[TraceyDisney2008]

This may not sound glamourous but try being a server (waitress) the money is quick and most places will work around your schedule. $100 in 5 hours is much better than a part time minimum wage job, while the kids are in school most places look for people to cover just the lunch shift for 2 or three hours I can make anywhere between 40-80 in those hours.

 

[mncherokee]

My sister is a server and has made pretty good money that way.

 

[CRdisMom]

Another MN poster here....I'm in CR. I work at a call center part time at night while the DH watches my girls. I have one day a weekend but not too bad considering all of the other options out there.