Ah, unemployment...

PlayboyMommy

So. This is happening.

Any tips for what to do with my new-found time off? I'm 'semi' employed in that I'm now working per diem nursing shifts, but those aren't guaranteed hours (like today I got cancelled). Every day I'm looking and applying for new jobs, so there's that. Maybe I'll pick up crocheting...

PS I quit my other job for my sanity

jenanns

When I was unemployed I enjoyed getting to the gym for workouts almost daily as it is so much harder when your working full time and it is something I really enjoy if I have time. And like you mentioned I would job hunt or check in on it daily.

I would probably end up doing a lot of diy for nursery if I were unemployed right now but that is just what I enjoy.

PlayboyMommy

I would love to plan our nursery...if we had a house. We're still living with my in-laws.
Wow I feel like even more of a loser now lol.

samiamagirl

For the past month, I've been having to come to terms with being a "housewife." The timing of our move and my pregnancy were just not conducive for me finding a job in our new area.

Here are the things I've been doing/thinking about starting now that 1st tri exhaustion and MS are becoming a thing of the past:
-ERRANDS! So much easier doing stuff in the middle of the day then on evenings/weekends
-Household chores/management. Takes the burden off DH and gives me stuff to do.
-Relaxing (reading, watching tv, etc.)
-Volunteer work.
-Non cluttering crafts/hobbies. Our decent sized apartment just doesn't have that much use for non-practical crafty things.
-Working out
-Baby planning that DH doesn't want a part of
-Hanging out with friends
-Baking and cooking
-prenatal yoga
-adult ed. classes

I'm still trying to come up with things that will keep me occupied and productive until the baby arrives. Once it does, all bets are off.

PlayboyMommy

SunshyneShay said:

This has been me, since November of last year. I quit my job and we moved to a new city an hour from home so I could use DHs GI Bill to go to school. Well the VA screwed us over after approving this and magically un-approved the transfer of benefits AFTER I already started the semester. So now I have a lovely $9,000 tuition bill and have had yet to find a job since all this happened. It is incredibly frustrating to be pregnant, living in a city I hate that is an hour + from my family, with no real job. I am a home care provider employed by the State of Michigan for my neighbor but that only brings in $250 a month. I'm hoping by some miracle the VA pulls their heads from their asses but that doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon

Oh that sucks! I'm sorry!! =(
I want to go back to school, but we reeeeeallly need me to be working before attempting that. Plus most places I would work for would provide tuition reimbursement.
I kinda have a job, but it's not guaranteed--I was scheduled today and got cancelled--so it's not reliable. I enjoy the break for now, but I haven't been without guaranteed work in 20 years. I'm not used to this! I hate the uncertainty. We're lucky we have a free place to stay, but still have to pay COBRA insurance and for child care. Hope something happens soon for you!

PlayboyMommy

Yay! Mommies helping mommies!

manacita

So weird, but have you tried baking bread? I did it a lot when ds was 12-20 months because he really likes to help. We tried out a new recipe every few days. Some were totally awful and some were pretty good. It was a cheap hobby, took almost all day with lots of big breaks between steps, and often was super challenging as we learned some of the nuances of yeast, bread, kneading, etc. Plus bread isn't as bad for you as brownies.

Now that I say this and I realize dd is almost 11 months old, we may need to restart our bread hobby.

MichelleKirkpatrick

I choose to stay home.  I use the time to do a lot of nesting.  I'm not Martha Stewart by any means, but I do admire her and enjoy decor, cooking, and crafting. Most of my day is filled with this.  I just enjoy and take pride in having the house clean, organized, and welcoming... and full of yummy food! Even if you live with your in-laws, as I think you mentioned, you can help around the house (with permission) especially with cooking  Like manacita mentioned about bread... I love making it! It's easy, and theraputic.  The smell is heavenly, and there's nothing like fresh baked bread and butter.  As a matter of fact, I'm about to bake a batch for my husbands nursing staff.  Making large batches and passing them out to friends and loved ones is always a treat for everyone. The recipe I use is from "A Feast of Ice & Fire" the Game of Thrones companion recipe book.  It's wonderful! Aside from bread, I think anything you can do to focus on your LO, be it reading books, making a pregnancy diary full of mementos and message to them, knitting something for them, etc. would be a fulfilling use of time. Good luck with finding things to fill your newly found time, and also with the job hunt! 

PlayboyMommy

GFJ48 said:

PlayboyMommy said:

Yay! Mommies helping mommies!

Sorry to have hijacked your thread!

Don't be!
I have since landed a 4 week contract, but il still have several days off a week. I do cook dinner and try to help clean, so that's a given. Thanks everyone!