Wow! There's a ton of excuses in that post. You sound like me and exercising/weight loss!!!! You can do anything if you set your mind to it. Look at how you have transformed your body and your health!

All sorts of places have entry level positions. If my 17 year old patients who lack a high school diploma and have zero work experience can get a job at ToysRUs or Mervyns or Target or a day care center, then so can you. This is a step towards independence for you. Doesn't mean you will have to go all the way, but you will have your own money and options!

Stop the excuses and find a way. Unless you really don't want to....(yes, that is a challenge )

No, I DO want to. I guess I'm just a little scared. I mean, I haven't worked in well over 7 years. I'm used to running a household (and I do mean I do everything around here) but you know, I LIKE doing it. As crazy as that sounds. That's why I've said in my other posts that with the exception of not being very happy in my current relationship, I'm pretty content. I'm settled. I'm set in my ways. Badly. And I never did adjust very well to change.

However, you're totally right about being able to do anything if you set your mind to it. And, again, you're right about the weight loss. For years and years I made excuse after excuse as to why I couldn't lose weight...

"Oh, my metabolism must be too slow, can't do anything about that."

"I'm big-boned."

"I don't have the money to spend on a gym to exercise."

"I don't have the money to spend on weight loss foods and products."

"I really don't eat that much so I don't see how I could be fat!"

"I don't have time to exercise and/or I don't have the time to spend on figuring out a plan to lose weight."

"I'm not 25 anymore, I'm too old to start worrying about weight loss now."



Then one day I said NO MORE EXCUSES. And just did it. And I think I'm going to have to do that again. Because I'll go crazy with him in my face 24/7. Truthfully, I'm soooo bummed out about that. I like my quiet time during the day with both boys out of my hair (partner and son) so I can get my work done without tripping over somebody or listening to somebody moan they want something. And I just like the time alone. This is MY time.

But not for long

OR you can do what I did and listed my SAHM skills as part of my resume. I am a nurse but stayed at home for four years after I had my youngest. When she went to preschool, they needed a teacher's assistant. So I took that. Then when the kids were in 3rd and 1st grades, it was time to move back into a "real" job. I applied with our local school system and listed that I had worked with children, I'm familiar with children's antibiotics and medication from my own two kids, and I am a mother, so I would surely fit into an elementary school setting. I was hired and here I am seven years later as a school nurse at a local elementary school, I love it! The hours at 8-2 and I still have time to shuttle my kids around to their after school activities. The pay is not bad and I'm in the teacher retirement system. Maybe you should apply for a job in your school system?

LLV, change is ALWAYS gonna be scary. Even if we know it's what's best for us. It's just all too easy to stay in our comfort zone, even though it might not be all that comfy. It's what we know and that is sometimes easier then the UNknown. I always find though that the anticipation of changing things up is worse then the actually change. That the thought of it is worse then the eventual outcome. I really and truly believe that this would be a change for the better and once you do it, you will be thrilled to pieces that you did and look back and wonder why you were concerned about getting a job in the first place. Good luck to you.

You know what, I've thought about that. Maybe apply for a job in the kitchen, since I've worked in restaurants and the dietary department of a few nursing homes.

Good idea!

Um, except school is over in 2 weeks, LOL.

Maybe I'll go in and put in an application (ha ha) now and then start when school re-opens again in the Fall. Because my partner said this "work from home" thing probably wouldn't happen for another 6 months. So that would be perfect timing.

Thanks!

I think you're right, sweetie. And thank you. Everyone has been so encouraging and it's making me feel so much better

You can always mention in an interview that you would be willing to take a class (community college) to help you brush up on whatever skills they need. Or take the classes that interest you first and then find the job to match. Classes will get you out of the house too

I will give you THIS ~ LINDA YOU are a good sport! and take our bashing...and help...very well! Something truly to be admired for!

When I had to apply for SSDI, "they" knew my entire work history. I would bet if you went to the Social Security Department, and made an appointment with one of the counselors, or even just made a telephone call, they might be able to hand you a printout of every where you worked (Scary, huh?)

Now, I don't know if they WOULD do it, but I know that they COULD do it.

I know EZMoney was poking you with a stick, but I do think you've gone through a lot lately, and much of it seems like giant cosmic "hints" (sorry if you're a devout Atheist) that change is exactly what you need. You can fight change, but it generally happens anyway.

It's natural to want to dig a soft, comfy hole and crawl into it (I'm a hibernating nester myself), and if you're choosing that for the right reasons, no one has a right to tell you any differently. But if you're fighting change because you're afraid, rather than because the status quo is WORTH fighting for, you're shortchangeing yourself and probably every one close to you.

You can do it, you deserve to do it, and there are a lot of people who can help you do it. To quote "What about Bob? - "Babysteps!"

Well, sometimes we all need a little kick in the butt



Thanks for all of the suggestions, everybody, I've got to look into some of this stuff!

LLV, I don't know about where you live, but here it only takes 3 weeks at a community college to get your nursing assisstant course completed. Then, a nursing home will hire you Very fast. The starting pay is far more than minimum wage. Usually $8.00-$10.00 per hr. Many schools now have before and after school child care, as do most day care centers. I know that change is scary, but you'd feel so much more independent if you'd look at this as an opportunity to re-establish yourself in the work field. As a previously single, working mom, it can definitely be done.

Most nursing homes are continuously in need of good , responsible help.Also many of these places will agree to pay for nursing school for you if you work a yr. for them. Plus, you would feel so good about yourself. You wouldn't feel Stuck , like you do now.

Hugs, I know it's hard. I've been there. Getting my education was the one thing in life, that always made me feel like I had a way out (if I wasn't happy). I can, I will, I did support my own kids many times without the help of anyone.

Well, I don't want to be a nurse, I like working in dietary.

I'll have to look into some of these things

LLV, sorry, I was just trying to help. I mentioned this since I thought in the post it said somewhere that you liked working with the elderly.

I hope you can find something that is suitable and to your liking. Hugs.

Perfectly alright, hon, I appreciate it! See, I love working in food service (ooo, maybe that's a bad area to get back into, hahaha) but I also like working with the elderly, but I don't have the 'gumption' to be an actual nurse. It's just not something that interests me. Oddly I took some nursing in school. I just never got into it