If you suddenly needed to find a full time job...

[Polly]

and all you've ever done is homeschool. What would you do? I have children ages 16 to 3 yrs old. I have no skills and can't sit or stand a lot due to back issues. I'd like to keep homeschooling and work from home if I could. I need to support myself and them - fully. What are my options? Any?

[Michelle O. in MO]

Is in-home child care an option or would that be too strenuous for your back?

[Rachel]

and I found a job at our local hospital.........they always need help in various areas. Kitchen might work for you as it isn't strenous but is a variety of sitting, standing.......not too much of one or the other. They usually pay well too (at least mine does)

[dragons in the flower bed]

You do have skills, and you now have to learn how to present them on a resume. Internet search "re-entering the workplace" to find lists of terms that probably apply. If you ever taught a class, supervised a field trip, lectured at a support group meeting, or helped a mom fill out paperwork, you can put down those things as volunteer work experience. Definitely include your lesson planning and tutoring skills on your resume.

Depending on how you feel about social services, you could train for a year or less as a medical transcriptionist, a dental assistant, or something else. Some states will provide temporary assistance to families while a parent trains or attends college (others will not).

[Doran]

...who is suddenly facing the reality that she will need to work. Her husband is leaving her and her kids (4) are 16 to 6. She and I talked about her "marketability" the other day. She knows she has marketable skills, but it's hard to present them when you don't have a degree and have homeschooled for 16 years. Anway, she's feeling very positive about the prospect of becoming a tutor in the public schools. She realizes - though it is a terrifying realization - that her children will likely have to go back to school. Tutoring, at least, puts her on the same schedule as her kids, and especially for the little one, may put her in the same building. Worth considering.

Best wishes,
Doran

[Mad Charity]

I would enlist the help of the 16 year old. She can help you with the 3 year old while you work. I don't really feel that I have any real "marketable" skills either so I know where you are coming from and it is scary. I am trying to finish school as fast as possible (taking 15 hours online this semester from my local university) so I can get a job next year. I think the other options listed on here sound wonderful. Working in a hospital makes perfect sense and you could then start looking at the other jobs, the better paying ones, and what you need to do to get those jobs. So many places will pay for your education while you work, too! If I were you, I would find a job that suits me and my family. You have a built in sitter for your younger child so then you can start to worry about home schooling and the schedule. You can do it!

[Pamela H in Texas]

Lots of homeschoolers do the online call centers....and lots of people work these things full time making just about whatever money they wish to make.

I saved us from foreclosure back in August making $2600 in one month. It wasn't ideal living conditions but NOTHING will be while you are trying to homeschool your kids. At least I had a 6 step commute and not a 30 minute one.

Just a thought.
Pamela

[Laurel T.]

I totally understand and wish that I had some wonderful ideas for you. But, don't forget what maturity can mean when looking for a job. Even though you might not feel like you have any specific skills, I think employers are very willing to train people who they know are committed and are not going to flake out on them. You have already demonstrated that you can stick to a task. I think you may be surprised at the opportunities available. My sister has a great job for a homeschool mom--she works nights at a community service organization. I know others who work at their church (church secretary, nursery director, etc.)

I know how daunting it seems, I am in a similar situation. I hope that all goes well for you in your search.

Laurel T.

[strider]

For me it's a natural choice because I worked in publishing for so long. I would only have to brush up my skills.

However, it can be a good choice even if you've never done it before. If your friend is detail-oriented and good at grammar/punctuation, it may be a good fit. Proofreading can easily be done at home--plenty of people do it freelance.

If she is interested, there are two ways to figure it out. First, she should buy the most recent edition of Chicago Manual of Style and learn the proofreading chapters. It's just one portion of the book (3-4 chapters). It does include a page of proofreader's marks. The other option to be considered IN ADDITION to CMS (owning CMS is non-negotiable for a proofreader) is to take a community college course. I did a weekend seminar in copy-editing once that was very valuable.

Finally, if she thinks she is ready, she should approach some publishing houses about proofreading and offer to take their proofreading test. Most houses have one; if a publisher does not, she should offer to proof a project for free.

The other good option is day care or after-school care or tutoring. Substitute teaching can be a good thing as well.