advice on flexible parttime positions

[ofgrace]

Hi Ladies!
I am a SAHM who needs to reenter the workforce part time. However, I also need to still stay very flexible to needs of my family. I would like advice any of you may have on what type of job opportunties there are out there that allow me to be more flexible. I know your thinking good luck, but I am serious. Prior to my first child 15 years ago I was a corporate travel agent. While I enjoyed working on the CRT and the perks I wasn't ever really crazy about the competitive corporate business world. Several years ago I held a position as a preschool assisant and then the director position of a Mothers Morning Out program. I currently do minimal computer work with a nonprofit volunteer organization once a week. I would describe my computers skills as very limited knowlege of windows and excel but trainable. Although, I'm not real excited about the idea of working in an office, and aren't most office jobs less flexible? I enjoy retail, but not the hours again, unflexible and weekend work. I have often thought some type of merchandising job where I can set my own pace would be great, but don't have any experience with this whatsoever. I am very organized,detail oriented, can type rapidly, have a friendly and compassionate nature towards others and willingness to learn. Anyone have any suggestions as to what might be an area for me to look into? I am hoping that someone out there knows where I am coming from. Thanks!

[penguin2005]

I too am a mom of two small kids both girls. The older one is in first grade and my little one is in pre k. That makes my job needing to be flex too.
I do not have all the skills that you do so I work in a hotel part time cleaning. Usually home by 2 pm. Plenty of time to get the kids.
I am looking into computer classes but that probably won't start til august. Why not look into the school and see if they need any extra help. My mom did that til I graudated. That worked out great. If I needed her she was there.
I plan on looking into the school to see if they need help around the time school gets out. We live in a small town and unless I want to drive a half hour one way I am pretty limited. I hope that helped just a little.

[Ms Big Butt]

Hi ofgrace :)

Maybe something with the schools would fit into your "mom" schedule?? Good luck to you :bliss:

[Kate]

You could always check with a temp agency for office type jobs. They handle a lot of part-timers and could probably get your computer skills up to speed, if need be.And most places, you start out as a temp, but then you get hired on.

[babsRN]

How about starting your own housecleaning business? That's flexible and as your own boss you can take on as much or as little work as you need to. It's lucrative too...I have known some folks who have done very well for themselves that way.

[Lee]

I went through a temp agency, the first one I went through was very negative because I had been out of work so long, so I went to another one, the people were much nicer, I now work for an insurance company and they have been great with my hours. I start work right after my son leaves for school and get home about 10 minutes before his bus drops him off. I never thought I would find such a perfect arrangement but am so glad I did. My son is disabled so it is impossible to find someone to care for him before or after school (he is 14 and lifting him is a problem for most people). Although my job started through a temp agency I was eventually hired and have been working there for 6.5 years (hired for 5 of them).

[MaddiesMommy]

If you have taken any early childhood education courses, you could probably work at a preschool... if that interests you. Where my daughter currently goes to school, there is also a preschool. I was working there before she starting going to school there, and now she's there with me. She's in 1st grade and I work with the preschool (I have 2 year olds). I work from 8:30a to 2:30p and my daughter goes to school from 8:30a to 3:00p. It works perfect!
And schools and preschools tend to be more understanding if you need time off for sick kids or whatever. Good luck finding something that fits for you!!!

[toodles]

I have often thought some type of merchandising job where I can set my own pace would be great, but don't have any experience with this whatsoever. I am very organized,detail oriented, can type rapidly, have a friendly and compassionate nature towards others and willingness to learn. Anyone have any suggestions as to what might be an area for me to look into? I am hoping that someone out there knows where I am coming from. Thanks!

What type of merchandising are you interested in? If you have interest in everyday products people are using, you can pm me. The fortune 500 companies I am affiliated with takes care of all the legistics as far as the computer jazz goes.

[Emmy64]

I do mystery shopping and it's is has worked out well for me. I can pick jobs that I'm interested in, and can set my own hours. I get my jobs and file my reports on the net.
There are a lot of SAHM's doing this work. Kids can go along on a lot of the jobs.

You might also look into being a "Virtual Assistant". They do office work on the internet for small companies.