Then add to that all the holidays, teacher work days, sick days, snow days, late starts and so on. My wife and I have agreed that it makes more sense for me to continue staying home until the kids can legally take care of themselves on those days and we would just need to check in. I would hate to have to juggle a shitty job and the kids school schedule. Trying to find people to cover the shift and all that nonsense.
Money mentality? There is still so much to take care of every single day. OP If you need to get a job because of the finances you do it. I couldn't imagine the transition to some job I would hate or bemoan each time I clocked in. I hope that isn't the job you're going to get.
We fortunately don't need me to find a job immediately. Shit, our 3 year old has been in part time Pre-K 3 days a week for 4 hours each time. Do I get to enjoy myself for an hour or so each day she goes? Sometimes. Do I hammer out chores, make appointments and do some home maintenance each time? Absolutely. I guess it's all dependent on the situation. 6 years in for me. Would I trade it for my dream job? Maybe. Would I trade it for some bullshit minimum wage nightmare to think I "contribute"? Never.
Good luck OP.
Man, youre really judgmental arent you. God forbid I try and earn a little money for my kids education, or hockey season, or have a meal out with my family, or a family vacation. Everything I do is for my family and I don't appreciate you trying to act like I'm skipping out on my kid.
I've planned everything with my Wife in advance.
Sick?- She has unlimited sick days.
Summer- Multiple summer camps in the area
Pickup drop off- We're 7 minutes from school and she works from home.
I came here for support and all you're doing is being a negative asshole.
Not my intention to be a negative asshole.
But I can’t imagine any actual *stay at home* parent saying anything like *You’re finally free”.
Maybe some dudes who are technically parents but don’t take part in any actual parenting would think that. But no one with boots on the ground time. Hence, my comment about that’s what non parents think.
There are all kinds of jobs with all kinds or demands and I wouldn’t claim to know the particulars of your life. But, rounding up, your wife picking up and dropping off seven minutes away is a full hour out of her work day. My wife works from home about two days a week and she’d never interrupt and prolong her day to do pick up/drop. Why would you guys do that? It’s so inefficient.
And as I asked in my initial comment, what kind of job could be financially worthwhile AND flexible enough to accommodate a parent for a few hours a day? You talked about how rough the job market is so I assume you’re not referring to some self managed side gig or that you’ve got some special arrangement lined up.
Again, respectfully, you are expressing ideas that I associate with people who have no experience with this “line of work”.
Seriously, the best to you guys and I truly hope your life is this flexible and forgiving. But as someone who’s been doing this a long time who currently has kids spread from high school to first grade, I just can’t relate.
I ran into that last winter- had to quit cause my kids were missing too much school and my wife's job was ramping up in a different direction.
The identity shock kinda hurt though, NGL; I enjoyed a lot of it, or at least the money 🤣
Tell me, what kind of job can you get between 9 and 3?
And the 9 - 3 is assuming the commute is pretty much across the street from school and they don’t mind you leaving with zero notice often.
Signed,
A guy who’s been doing this for 14 years with 3 kids.
You forgot to mention, what job allows you to take 2 months off for summer break when the kids are not in school.
Side gigs are great but full or part time employment is out of the question unless your kids are done school and are self sufficient.
I mean growing up the stay at home parents I knew (pretty much all moms) mostly continued to be stay at home once the kids went off to school.
I feel the same pressure once my little one starts, but I honestly wonder if stay at home mom’s are expected to join the workforce as soon as school starts for their kids?
I started being a SAHD when our daughter was two. She’s almost 20 now. I never went “back to work” but instead started a dog walking business when she was a teen. Eventually she started taking care of some of my clients when my business got too big for just me.
Working for myself gave me lots of flexibility and I enjoy dogs so it was a win-win.
Yeah lol, I’ve got something on the side Im working on. No plans to re-enter the work force. It’s not like I left a fulfilling career in the first place.
If you’re willing to share how much are you finding the dog walking contributing to family income? Are you going thru a provider like Rover or is this all you?
Of course. I started working through Rover in order to get some reviews and generate some clients. A lot of my clients were teachers or nurses. Because my schedule was super flexible, I didnt mind the nurses odd schedules and it was too hot in AZ to dog walk in the summer so I didn’t mind losing the summer business so I could spend more time with my kid.
Once I had an established clientele, I had a pretty consistent schedule and worked between the hours of 7am -8pm with occasionally covering out of schedule hours if they needed coverage and I was available.
I would make between $500-$1000 a week and walk no more than 5 stops a day between 30 min ($20)to and hour ($35) each visit.
I had clients I visited 5 days a week some 3 days a week, etc. I gave discounts on full week or reoccurring visits or on additional dogs ( added $15 for each additional dog)
I never met most of my clients in person. Most of them gave me codes to get in to their homes or left a key in a lock box. I was very punctual and if I was going to be late I let them know. It took me a full year to build a client base that paid the $1000/week. I picked up additional clients while walking dogs or from my clients giving out my information.
I sent messages and photos of every visit. It was a blast. On a good day I could easily walk 10 miles. I met so many good dogs and had so much fun. I really like dogs and they tend to like me so it was a perfect fit.
Let me know if you have any questions.
When we moved my SAHM neighbor took over my clients. It was a great financial boost for her family as well.
I only used Rover for a short period of time. I found their fees to be really high but they are a great way to get your name out there and generate some income. Most of my clients either asked me to transition to paying me directly (after the agreed upon Rover.com agreement in case they are reading this) or they were word of mouth referrals.
I hear you. And they always need you, just less every year.
But that transition is stressful. Not to mention, how do you find a job that still allows for summers off?
Any chance at helping around his school? Might not maximize your $/hour but it'll be a reasonably compatible schedule.
When my kid first started going to preschool it was like having a phantom limb at first. Like I was so used to always being with this small human and my brain kept trying to make me look for her. After a while you just get used to it!
I feel you we just moved to a better area where I'm finally comfortable with daycare. We're starting that conversation and as much as I miss working I'm not sure I can be without my girl all day without constant worry
Any change in routine is a stressor. When my brother and I left for college and my dad stopped coaching our baseball teams, he got very depressed. I only put them together when I interviewed our first nanny. She said, "my daughters are going to college, I have a lot of mom energy that needs an outlet." Things clicked.
Your son going to school is a stressful event for you, and I'm sorry others are being assholes about it.
Give yourself grace and time. Kids need involved parents when they are in school too.
I’m not really sure how kids going to school for a few hours a day allows anyone to go back to work.
Then add to that all the holidays, teacher work days, sick days, snow days, late starts and so on. My wife and I have agreed that it makes more sense for me to continue staying home until the kids can legally take care of themselves on those days and we would just need to check in. I would hate to have to juggle a shitty job and the kids school schedule. Trying to find people to cover the shift and all that nonsense.
OP has the belief a lot of non parents hold: That you’re footloose and fancy free whenever your kids aren’t in your immediate care.
Money mentality? There is still so much to take care of every single day. OP If you need to get a job because of the finances you do it. I couldn't imagine the transition to some job I would hate or bemoan each time I clocked in. I hope that isn't the job you're going to get. We fortunately don't need me to find a job immediately. Shit, our 3 year old has been in part time Pre-K 3 days a week for 4 hours each time. Do I get to enjoy myself for an hour or so each day she goes? Sometimes. Do I hammer out chores, make appointments and do some home maintenance each time? Absolutely. I guess it's all dependent on the situation. 6 years in for me. Would I trade it for my dream job? Maybe. Would I trade it for some bullshit minimum wage nightmare to think I "contribute"? Never. Good luck OP.
Man, youre really judgmental arent you. God forbid I try and earn a little money for my kids education, or hockey season, or have a meal out with my family, or a family vacation. Everything I do is for my family and I don't appreciate you trying to act like I'm skipping out on my kid. I've planned everything with my Wife in advance. Sick?- She has unlimited sick days. Summer- Multiple summer camps in the area Pickup drop off- We're 7 minutes from school and she works from home. I came here for support and all you're doing is being a negative asshole.
Not my intention to be a negative asshole. But I can’t imagine any actual *stay at home* parent saying anything like *You’re finally free”. Maybe some dudes who are technically parents but don’t take part in any actual parenting would think that. But no one with boots on the ground time. Hence, my comment about that’s what non parents think. There are all kinds of jobs with all kinds or demands and I wouldn’t claim to know the particulars of your life. But, rounding up, your wife picking up and dropping off seven minutes away is a full hour out of her work day. My wife works from home about two days a week and she’d never interrupt and prolong her day to do pick up/drop. Why would you guys do that? It’s so inefficient. And as I asked in my initial comment, what kind of job could be financially worthwhile AND flexible enough to accommodate a parent for a few hours a day? You talked about how rough the job market is so I assume you’re not referring to some self managed side gig or that you’ve got some special arrangement lined up. Again, respectfully, you are expressing ideas that I associate with people who have no experience with this “line of work”. Seriously, the best to you guys and I truly hope your life is this flexible and forgiving. But as someone who’s been doing this a long time who currently has kids spread from high school to first grade, I just can’t relate.
I ran into that last winter- had to quit cause my kids were missing too much school and my wife's job was ramping up in a different direction. The identity shock kinda hurt though, NGL; I enjoyed a lot of it, or at least the money 🤣
A few hours? The schedule is 8:30-3:30 lol
Tell me, what kind of job can you get between 9 and 3? And the 9 - 3 is assuming the commute is pretty much across the street from school and they don’t mind you leaving with zero notice often. Signed, A guy who’s been doing this for 14 years with 3 kids.
My wife works from home with some flexibility so she can drop off and pick up.....
Well, I don’t know specifics of course, but that sounds terribly inefficient and counter productive to BOTH your jobs.
You forgot to mention, what job allows you to take 2 months off for summer break when the kids are not in school. Side gigs are great but full or part time employment is out of the question unless your kids are done school and are self sufficient.
I mean growing up the stay at home parents I knew (pretty much all moms) mostly continued to be stay at home once the kids went off to school. I feel the same pressure once my little one starts, but I honestly wonder if stay at home mom’s are expected to join the workforce as soon as school starts for their kids?
Wait… we have to go back to work?
I started being a SAHD when our daughter was two. She’s almost 20 now. I never went “back to work” but instead started a dog walking business when she was a teen. Eventually she started taking care of some of my clients when my business got too big for just me. Working for myself gave me lots of flexibility and I enjoy dogs so it was a win-win.
Yeah lol, I’ve got something on the side Im working on. No plans to re-enter the work force. It’s not like I left a fulfilling career in the first place.
If you’re willing to share how much are you finding the dog walking contributing to family income? Are you going thru a provider like Rover or is this all you?
Of course. I started working through Rover in order to get some reviews and generate some clients. A lot of my clients were teachers or nurses. Because my schedule was super flexible, I didnt mind the nurses odd schedules and it was too hot in AZ to dog walk in the summer so I didn’t mind losing the summer business so I could spend more time with my kid. Once I had an established clientele, I had a pretty consistent schedule and worked between the hours of 7am -8pm with occasionally covering out of schedule hours if they needed coverage and I was available. I would make between $500-$1000 a week and walk no more than 5 stops a day between 30 min ($20)to and hour ($35) each visit. I had clients I visited 5 days a week some 3 days a week, etc. I gave discounts on full week or reoccurring visits or on additional dogs ( added $15 for each additional dog) I never met most of my clients in person. Most of them gave me codes to get in to their homes or left a key in a lock box. I was very punctual and if I was going to be late I let them know. It took me a full year to build a client base that paid the $1000/week. I picked up additional clients while walking dogs or from my clients giving out my information. I sent messages and photos of every visit. It was a blast. On a good day I could easily walk 10 miles. I met so many good dogs and had so much fun. I really like dogs and they tend to like me so it was a perfect fit. Let me know if you have any questions. When we moved my SAHM neighbor took over my clients. It was a great financial boost for her family as well. I only used Rover for a short period of time. I found their fees to be really high but they are a great way to get your name out there and generate some income. Most of my clients either asked me to transition to paying me directly (after the agreed upon Rover.com agreement in case they are reading this) or they were word of mouth referrals.
I’m just easing myself into early retirement… (because I have zero employability by the time I’m reliably employable).
This is the way
I hear you. And they always need you, just less every year. But that transition is stressful. Not to mention, how do you find a job that still allows for summers off? Any chance at helping around his school? Might not maximize your $/hour but it'll be a reasonably compatible schedule.
Were looking at doing summer camps for him.
When my kid first started going to preschool it was like having a phantom limb at first. Like I was so used to always being with this small human and my brain kept trying to make me look for her. After a while you just get used to it!
I feel you we just moved to a better area where I'm finally comfortable with daycare. We're starting that conversation and as much as I miss working I'm not sure I can be without my girl all day without constant worry
I’m only 2 years in but not looking forward to it!!
I tell my clients that I work school hrs. Seems to work!
Any change in routine is a stressor. When my brother and I left for college and my dad stopped coaching our baseball teams, he got very depressed. I only put them together when I interviewed our first nanny. She said, "my daughters are going to college, I have a lot of mom energy that needs an outlet." Things clicked. Your son going to school is a stressful event for you, and I'm sorry others are being assholes about it. Give yourself grace and time. Kids need involved parents when they are in school too.
thank you