A new era in my life

[Ivan]

Well, if last year wasn't strenuous enough, Shaunna and I have decided it is for the better to have her as a stay at home mom. The kids are not doing well unsupervised after school and Shaunna is getting more stressed by the day. Wish me luck, she is giving her notice tomorrow.

Now, where did I put that "How to raise six kids on $15 an hour for dummies" book.....

[Geezer]

Well, if last year wasn't strenuous enough, Shaunna and I have decided it is for the better to have her as a stay at home mom. The kids are not doing well unsupervised after school and Shaunna is getting more stressed by the day. Wish me luck, she is giving her notice tomorrow.

Now, where did I put that "How to raise six kids on $15 an hour for dummies" book.....

It may be tough but not as tough as if you 2 had split... Have her look into selling junk on eBay. It won't completely replace her salary but it will help...

Geezer

[yamtom]

I know where of you speak

Good luck Ivan, it s not easy, but it sure beats having the kids get into serious difficulty. I know about that, and remember it painfully from thirty yrs ago. Family comes first. On our death beds, no one will ever wonder what you could have done with that extra time or money for the bike,or other play, but kids having serious trouble can cause you to wonder , what if, for life.

[tw1980]

I don't think she or you will regret your decision.I was a single dad for many years and would have welcomed this opportunity.Even if money is tight for a few years I think you'll look back and see the sacrifice was well worth it.Good luck and all the best to you and your family. Terry

[crazy steve]

I'll wish you the best too... my kids are all gone (and surviving on their own thankfully) but I do remember how it was...

If you can get past the 'stretch the money' thing, it'll be all good.

'78E original owner

[Ivan]

Thanks all. Good thing the XS11 isn't terribly expensive to run. No way I would have been able to keep up my radio controlled helicopter addiction on one income.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

At least you have someone who CAN stay home with your kids. I've been doing the single dad thing for about 10 years now and living on what CSE let's me keep from my single income.

Just need to learn to be a cheap azz and prioritize.

The XS is up near the top of priorities because I feel I deserve the opportunity to enjoy myself occasionally and it saves on gas when it's warm enough to ride to work.

However, it is suffering in the cosmetics department.

[fredintoon]

- - - Now, where did I put that "How to raise six kids on $15 an hour for dummies" book.....

Hi Ivan,
it's in the locked cupboard, next to the cattle prod?
Seriously though, kids are far better off with a parent at home than they are without.

[Mstaab]

Good luck from one Kansas boy to another. If there is anything you need, just ask. If I have it, it's yours. We gotta take good care of our kids, someday they'll choose our nursing home!

Mitch

[QRFan]

Idea

Hey Ivan,
I don't know much about your situation other than what I read here but was wondering if your wife had considered getting a job at the local school district? I know our school has a lot of local parents employed. Then your wife's schedule would be the same as the kids.Another thing,I'm not sure about the rules where you live,but here in Ohio it doesn't take much to be a substitute teACHER. They get paid daily & if the district likes the sub,they tend to call them back a lot.Some subs hardly miss a day. She may consider a bus driver possition too if she can get a cdl.... Good luck to you & your family

[Ivan]

She tried to get a substitute teacher job a while back. I kinda screwed that up when I told the principal the next time he sent a drunk driver for my kid's buss route, I'd neuter him with a rusty spoon.

I am just looking forward to having the house clean and not having to wear socks two days in a row because the kids think its ok to do nothing until 5 minutes before I get home.

I don't think the CDL thing would work out. She has a led foot and the depth perception of a one eyed goose.

[QRFan]

""I told the principal the next time he sent a drunk driver for my kid's buss route, I'd neuter him with a rusty spoon"" - LMAO_ An XSer after my own heart ! Ok,well good luck to you Ivan !

[79XS11F]

Hey Ivan, Many who decide to do the stay at home mom thing end up bringing a few other kids and earn a few bucks while being at home. You can write off a lot of household stuff when you run a daycare of sorts.
Rob

[1st bike]

ivan,

best thing you can ever do. my wife was a 1st grade teacher, and she has stayed home this year. the kids are SOOOO much better for it (they are 4 and 2). and she watched another kid while she was home, to make a little extra money, and she isn't doing that next year. she found that she STILL didin't get to give the kids the attention she wanted, and if she was staying home, she was going to focus on our kids...and the money deal always kind of works itself out. when you do things for the right reasons, the world kinda helps you, i have found. enjoy having your wife home (even though my house isn't always clean) it has made her life, my kids life, and my life much much better.

[fredintoon]

Hey Ivan, Many who decide to do the stay at home mom thing end up bringing a few other kids and earn a few bucks while being at home. You can write off a lot of household stuff when you run a daycare of sorts.
Rob

Hi Rob,
you can also end up hip deep in Social Workers, each with a foot-thick book of regulations and no brains at all.