My year as a (semi-working) SAHM

When I was pregnant with my third I learned our daycare wouldn't have space for him for at least a year. My oldest had been through 4 other daycares at that point because they are closing all around us at an alarming rate. Still, I halfheartedly called all the ones within our school zone and nobody had an infant opening. I had to accept the fact that I couldn't teach middle school with a baby on my hip so I put in my resignation. My principal was kind enough to suggest a year leave which I accepted and suddenly I was a SAHM.

I had to find ways to bring in a little money since this wasn't planned and life these days is expensive. My husband works four 10's and is off Fridays so I am able to substitute teach and run the library at my school. I found vendors for a kids pop-up sale and helped set up the sale on a Sunday night. I applied and trained to be a legal transcriptionist with zero prior experience although I believe my work as a language teacher helped me get in. As a legal transcriptionist I transcribe court cases, depositions, 911 calls and interviews. I don't make a lot and there isn't always work available but I can work while the baby sleeps on me so it's worth it. Plus, I really like the work! The cases are interesting and I enjoy the quiet focus of the task. I learned that any little bit helps financially, and for me, it has been important to still work so I don't go stir crazy.

The Work-at-Home Moms Club group on Facebook has been a huge help and is where I heard of the kid sale and transcriptionist jobs. I also learned about a money making app, Swagbucks, which I write about here. It's a group of supportive moms mostly looking to make money while having more time with their kids and lots of great ideas and opportunities are shared here.

To help our finances even more I stopped spending money. Like a lot. I resist the urge to go to thrift and second-hand stores which I love because it's still spending money usually on things we don't need. I bought less Christmas and birthday presents for my kids and they didn't seem to care or notice. This also helped reduce clutter in our home which is a post for another day! I plan out our grocery store trips and meals a lot more. We rarely eat out anymore. I feel this is one perk of staying home, I actually have the time to think about food and cook more homemade. 

We also did No Spend January over here. I love this concept and my kids got on board this year too! You buy only the essentials and even then I made sure to check the pantry and freezer to make sure we actually needed something. My oldest was so into it. He crossed off a trip to the Pokemon card store and wrote the dates of when we had to stop spending money and when we could start again. This is the perfect thing to do after overspending at the holidays. I might pick a few other months to make 'No Spend' as well.

I loved work but I also love staying home. They both have their ups and downs and different stresses although being a teacher some of it is the same. Working with 150 middle schoolers is not that different than spending the day with a baby and a 3 year old! I've always wanted to work part-time and accepted a .5 job in my district for next year. My family will continue to make sacrifices financially but I'm hoping this will help me get the best of both worlds. I'm sure it will bring some new stressors too like dropping my baby off at daycare for the first time- always a hard day for me and having to pack a lunch again, honestly one of the greatest perks of staying home! At the end of the day every momma is just out there in the world doing our best and that's a beautiful thing ♥️ I would love to hear about your experience trying to juggle mom and work life and am here to answer any questions you might have about making an extended leave work for your family.