Providing for my family

I don’t know how families with stay at home parents do it. It seems nearly impossible to survive on one income once you have children unless you are willing to cut back a lot. I never realized how much my income meant to our family even though I make less than half of what my husband does. These past 4 months I’ve been off of work, we’ve been able to make it utilizing some of our small business income and our savings, but both of those are getting low. We’ve been really blessed though, as we have not had to buy anything at all for our baby since he’s been born. Also, my mom has been able to give us tons of food from her work which has helped out a lot, especially with the cost of groceries rising as they do. A gallon of milk is over $5 and a dozen eggs is $3. Ridiculous! Thank God I’ll be going back to work in the next month.

Personally, I’m a bit frustrated. I have 2 college degrees, graduate work, and a teaching credential and I can’t get a job. I’ve been trying all summer since about early June and have yet to even land an interview. Sure I can sub, but I would make 1/3 to 1/2 of what a regular teacher would make. That’s what I’ll continue to do until I can land a permanent position because I think it is very important for me to remain in the field and get my name out there. I must say, I’m kind of jealous. Almost everybody I know that is an elementary school teacher got into it because they knew somebody. Up until about 2 years ago, I knew someone but she moved and I don’t have a current number for her. I know I’ll feel more proud of myself by getting a job the old-fashioned way, but a little help can’t hurt. You can bet I’ll be hitting all the job fairs once they start out again. I really don’t want to drive more than 25 miles each way to work though, but I am on a time crunch. I have to work at least 2 out of the next 4 years to clear my credential.

I just want to thank everyone who has helped us get through this summer knowing that finances have been tight for everyone. Thanks to my husband for going to work every day. Thanks to my mom and stepdad for giving us extra groceries. Thanks to my cousin and grandma who have offered to provide childcare to us so I can go back to work and thanks to all of these people plus Aunt Linda and a few others who helped us get everything we could ever need for the baby! We appreciate it!