SAHM wants to convert to working mom, ideas?

Bookworm75

Hi ladies! I've never posted on this board before, but am very active on my local board and been a member of theknot/nest for a long time.

I'll try to make this long story short... I've been a SAHM/Realtor for 2.5 yrs now. I have a 2yr old and 7mo old. The 2yr old is in daycare and the 7mo old will be in daycare next month. My DH works in new home sales, so he works late evenings and every weekend. My ability to be a good Realtor has basicly come to a screaching halt b/c I can't commit to being there for my clients (physically) on weekends and evenings. I don't have family in town to help me out either. So while I love real estate, I don't know anyone who wants to hire a M-F 9-5 agent; so I don't know how to make that keep working for me. So I was thinking of a work at home job like Medical Transcription maybe??

I feel like I'm very unsure of what I want or should do now, and therefore am open to all suggestions. I've been a SAHM for 2.5 yrs now and I'm kind of at my whits end and craving adult contact and more time to get things done. I'm not sure I want to be chained to a cube from 8-5 (like I used to be before I became a Realtor) - I guess I want to work PT, so that I still have time to do some housework and be there for the kids and maybe even have some "me time". So I need a high paying PT job ($2600/mo+) or something like the Med Trans so that I can do as much or as little as I need and have the freedom to work my own hours.

My background is Marketing/Sales/Real Estate - but I'm not sure I want to take on anything too demanding, but I may have to. I am just looking for some balance in my life but don't have a clear path to get there. Ugh. Any thoughts or suggestions? TIA!

madhatter2003

If you find something that high paying that's part time let me know....but I honestly don't think it exists.  I work full time but have some flexibility, I'm in the IT field though.

Maybride2

Huh.

I work 40 hours a week and don't make $2600/month.  With a graduate degree. 

Good luck finding that perfect job that you only have to do when you feel like it but pays better than a full-time salaried job.  When you find it, send that magic fairy over my way.

EastCoastBride

Realistically- if these high paying PT jobs exist, they are for employees who have been working at a high paying FT job and over the years proved themselves to be good, reliable employees and the company doesn't want to lose them - so they work out a PT gig for them.

 

AlisaS

Have you found anything at all feasible? Medical transcription takes training - do you have a certificate?

I just don't think that kind of job exists. if they did, I am gusessing the competition would be fierce.

 

crysas81

My ex-boyfriend's sister was a nurse who worked part time at a dialysis center and she made around 30 grand a year but she was at the hospital for about 6 years before that. 

kgb1411

crysas81:

My ex-boyfriend's sister was a nurse who worked part time at a dialysis center and she made around 30 grand a year but she was at the hospital for about 6 years before that. 

I was kind of thinking this same thing.  Maybe look into going back to school and getting an RN.  It is a huge initial investment, and by no means a low-stress job, but there is a large demand (at least around here), and I know more than a few nurses who work PT.  It probably won't be a 9-5 kind of job (although I guess it would in a dialysis center), but you would know your schedule well enough in advance to arrange childcare. 

carrie4g

It sounds like you're looking for the dream job of being able to get paid well, work PT and work from home. I think it is possible but you'll have to research what you can do career wise that's going to meet these goals and it might require schooling or certification and coming up with a plan. I work as a corporate paralegal and it is an industry (being a paralegal) that can be PT, work from home and pays well. However, most states require schooling and certification.  You might want to check the SAHM board. I know there are a couple girls over there who make money doing etsy and renting out signs and that sort of thing. You might have to be really creative and come up with different ideas that will bring in about $500 per month. I saw on the Today Show a feature on etsy and one woman made $4K per month selling her necklaces!

What about doing customer service calls from your home? I don't think that pays well but it is something from your home. Also, check craigslist. I know there are local companies that post part time work. You might also want to get in contact with some recruiters or temp agencies.

2-Step

I work in marketing and am able to take on freelance jobs on the side. I got some extra training in website design and have done a few websites for small businesses in the area. I also do some graphic design, copywriting etc. whenever I have extra time and can find someone who needs help. If I ever do decide to stay at home I think I would just continue to work freelance and put a little more effort into finding clients. I do, however, think that PT $2,600 per month is unrealistic in this economy. If you decide to do something freelance or start your own business remember that self-employment tax will eat up a good chunk of your profits, up to 40%.

RoxyLynn

So you want to be very well-paid and work only when it's completely convenient for you, and not too often.

Let me know what you find.  I think 100% of the people I know want a position like that.

CTJune06

I work part time after working hard in my career to get to a place where I was able to have the opportunity to negotiate part time work. I make fairly decent pay and am able to keep benefits- which is huge for us. But it took a lot for me to get to this point- crappy jobs, low pay, graduate degree.. etc.

JJT

Try some large company sales jobs.  I work for Altria and the hours are flexable once you get the hang of it.  There is a little travel (once every few months) but for the most part you are home every night and never work weekends.  Its website is cantbeattheexperience.com   You might try pharm sales too.

 

Bookworm75

Thanks for all the suggestions ladies! I'm still brainstorming and trying to find a way to stay in Real Estate. I'm open to FT work, but PT would be great; likely? maybe not, but not impossible either. I am used to being taxed as self employed as I've been self employeed for a while now as a Realtor. Anyway, thanks again!

hiltyn78

Maybride2:

 

Good luck finding that perfect job that you only have to do when you feel like it but pays better than a full-time salaried job.  When you find it, send that magic fairy over my way.

ditto

mauceddie

EastCoastBride:

Realistically- if these high paying PT jobs exist, they are for employees who have been working at a high paying FT job and over the years proved themselves to be good, reliable employees and the company doesn't want to lose them - so they work out a PT gig for them.

 

This. It's  how I got my PT role.  I know that I could never walk into another company and get my flexible PT schedule.