SAHM Going back to work, need tips and help

[moneysavvy11]

I have been a stay at home mom for 8 years. Prior to that I was a full time college student. 1.5 years ago I divorced. I knew financially it was the wrong move, but the marriage was not salvageable, believe me I tried. For my sanity I had to leave the marriage. This was right when we were getting financially on top. I walked away with a small imo amount of debt. About 5k in my student loans and 600$ in a cc. I had a vehicle paid for and 5K in an ira, in addition my ex was ordered to pay me alimony and child support totally 2600$ a month. For the first 8 months of the separation and divorce I searched for jobs, I never found anything except a small part time gig I get paid for 20$ in cash a week I take my kids to at a church nursery. I finally decided to attempt to go back to college and get my alternative route teaching license. In the past 6 months I had attempted an occasional job but my friend always let me down last minute and I didn't have a reliable babysitter. My biggest issue is childcare. It is very expensive in my area. In addition my ex works crazy hours and has them 1 day/2 nights after 7pm so lack of time is a huge factor, making a part time job very difficult to attempt. He also will not help any in addition to early morning hours etc so I had to pass on a job because of commuting time and my sons before school program start time last winter and my ex would not keep the kids for an hour in the morning. So going back to school put me further in debt. I finish ed all my required classes and have passed my praxis exam but I didn't get the volunteer or part time job experience I had hoped for this past year while in school because I was so overwhelmed with classes and lack of time as a fulltime single parent. I have zero family on mine or my ex's side to help even at a reduced rate that would be in a reasonable driving distance. My family is across the metro and using them as sitters would be more expensive due to commuting costs.

My alimony ends in October of this year which will reduce my income by over half. My debt has doubled since the divorce mostly from college tuition and dental bills.

I need tips on getting a job. Not only that, one that will actually put me in the green after childcare expenses. Becoming a teacher in my area is very competitive and the jobs in my subject (English) go like hot cakes. There is a possibility I may not getting a teaching job or that it may take a couple years. My kids are 7 and 3 and will need childcare for many more years. I would love to do a part time gig like tutoring at the school but it only pays 10$ an hour and I would have to pay a teen that much to watch my kids.

[jIM_Ohio]

I have been a stay at home mom for 8 years. Prior to that I was a full time college student. 1.5 years ago I divorced. I knew financially it was the wrong move, but the marriage was not salvageable, believe me I tried. For my sanity I had to leave the marriage. This was right when we were getting financially on top. I walked away with a small imo amount of debt. About 5k in my student loans and 600$ in a cc. I had a vehicle paid for and 5K in an ira, in addition my ex was ordered to pay me alimony and child support totally 2600$ a month. For the first 8 months of the separation and divorce I searched for jobs, I never found anything except a small part time gig I get paid for 20$ in cash a week I take my kids to at a church nursery. I finally decided to attempt to go back to college and get my alternative route teaching license. In the past 6 months I had attempted an occasional job but my friend always let me down last minute and I didn't have a reliable babysitter. My biggest issue is childcare. It is very expensive in my area. In addition my ex works crazy hours and has them 1 day/2 nights after 7pm so lack of time is a huge factor, making a part time job very difficult to attempt. He also will not help any in addition to early morning hours etc so I had to pass on a job because of commuting time and my sons before school program start time last winter and my ex would not keep the kids for an hour in the morning. So going back to school put me further in debt. I finish ed all my required classes and have passed my praxis exam but I didn't get the volunteer or part time job experience I had hoped for this past year while in school because I was so overwhelmed with classes and lack of time as a fulltime single parent. I have zero family on mine or my ex's side to help even at a reduced rate that would be in a reasonable driving distance. My family is across the metro and using them as sitters would be more expensive due to commuting costs.

My alimony ends in October of this year which will reduce my income by over half. My debt has doubled since the divorce mostly from college tuition and dental bills.

I need tips on getting a job. Not only that, one that will actually put me in the green after childcare expenses. Becoming a teacher in my area is very competitive and the jobs in my subject (English) go like hot cakes. There is a possibility I may not getting a teaching job or that it may take a couple years. My kids are 7 and 3 and will need childcare for many more years. I would love to do a part time gig like tutoring at the school but it only pays 10$ an hour and I would have to pay a teen that much to watch my kids.

What are your daycare options?

I would solve problem that way, last thing an employer wants to hear is you will arrive late and leave early.

Are you a licenses teacher? Have you looked to move to a rural setting (rural teaching jobs are much easier to find). If you teach in same district kids attend, you will have flexibility you don't pay for according to single teachers I date and talk to.