Re: Questions about working at home.

September 11, 2002

> Okay, does anyone here work at home or know of any good things you

> can do to work at home. It's been something I've been considering

> for a while now.

I wish I had some good tips for you because I can relate very well.

With being autistic and having seizures, I had a terrible

time keeping sitters. And an even harder time finding ones I could

trust. It didn't help that my schedule was not predictable. I work

part-time for the post office and I have to cover for the regular

mail carrier when she's sick or on vacation. The only day of the week

I knew I'd be working was Saturday. Now, I work 3 hours a day on a

small route. (no benefits. ( ) In the next year or two if someone

retires (3 people COULD, they just won't) I will have a full-time

route. The pay's great for part-time but the lack of benefits and

unpredictable schedules make it a job I'm not sure I'd recommend.

I do work at home on the website I help run but it's not a paying job

by any stretch of the imagination. Any money we make off advertising

is put right back into advertising our site, or paying for domain

names, webhosting and other such expenses.

Tina

September 11, 2002

Tina,

Another option is to see if you can get authorized for Family Medical Leave.

Cameron was able to get this authorized at work. Now, if he calls in,

work can't punish him. It's the law. I don't know if you could get it

where you work, but you may want to check. " Chronic " conditions like autism

are covered, you just have to get it reauthorized every 12 weeks.

Amy H--in Michigan

Kepler 5 ASD and Bethany 6 1/2 NT

" Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. " ~ Jefferson

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September 12, 2002

Oh hon, I hear ya!! BEFORE I had s DX, I went through 6 sitters

in 3 months!! And I had some dam dizzies. The last one I punched in

the face..sigh. I also lost 2 jobs in 6 months(5 years at Walmart

and 4 months 2nd shift doing telemarketing). From that point on my

husband and I decided it was time for me to stay home. We also

decided that might have some issues.

The best thing I can tell you is apply for everything you can

possibly get for state financial assistance. Thats what it is there

for! Apply for foodstamps. Apply for SSI. It was a God send and yes

they have to know when I take a crap BUT it also lets me stay home

with full time now. Pride is a terrbile thing. Get over it!! If

its free I apply and get it if I am under income. And if I am not,

on the months where I am , I apply again!! For instance, I was over

income for fuel assistance but they take into comsideration medical

bills (out of pocket deductables are $5000) so I am applying again

this year.

WIC is another program where you get free milk, cheese and eggs for

kids under 5(formula or breast pumps for babies)!! I have had that

for almost 5 years now. I may fight being kicked off cause is

under weight and disabled. (I play that card often, sorry to those

who are offended but you dont pay my bills or buy my groceries).

I would also look into any programs that pay you to drive the kids

to thier appointments and reimburse you for milage. I am even

getting paid milage to come to my doctors in Boston. I have Medicaid

as secondary insurance also. I also have s diapers paid by

medicaid with a script from his doctor. And when you get him all

potty trained, you keep getting the script until the next doctors

appointment. Sell them on ebay or return them to another store.(of

course i have never done this cause its illegal ; )

I sell on Ebay, too. Mostly clothes. Friends and family give me the

hand me downs and I sell them. They would rather have me make some

money to feed my kids than give them to the Good Will. Yes, I

actually asked them for them too!! They dont have to know you sell

them. But it make sit easier to get other clothes that just your

kids size if you say you make extra money. You could also offer to

give them a few bucks for a bag full. I have my sisters and 2 of her

friends giving me all thier clothes. All name brands, all look brand

new when I get them.

If you think you may have 4 hours free while they are in school, you

should try Mcs. Not the most glamorous job but they pay good

and are extremly flexable! 3-4 hour shifts for Moms.

I also shop the grocery stores for deals and markdowns. I have a

freezer and buy in bulk. Monday is the best day to find meat

markdowns. I personally hate coupons but I know people that save

TONS with them.

Good Luck!

in Maine

> Okay, does anyone here work at home or know of any good things you

> can do to work at home. It's been something I've been considering

> for a while now. It has gotten to the point with my sons needs

that

> my job is not understanding anymore. With being a singlemom when

> Mark gets sick " I " am the one who has to stay home. I always get

> doctor excuses, but my job is no longer accepting this. I have

been

> put on a probational period at work because of my attendance. I

have

> also missed work because of sitters quiting on me at the last

minute

> because they can not handle Mark-he is not always the easiest kid

to

> watch.

>

> Since I moved Mark has regressed a lot, and my BF and I both think

it

> would be best if I could stay at home with him. But finacially I

> dont' know how. My BF and I have been talking about him moving

in,

> since he is always by me all the time anyway. (He would not be

doing

> this because of helping me, if that's what anyone is thinking.

It's

> been something we've been considering because we are always

together

> anyway.) He said that if he could get a $4 raise in pay I could

stay

> home, but like that's going to happen.

>

> Also Mark will be starting pre-school this November when he turns

> three. I think in the school district I'm in now he will be going

to

> school in the morning. I work 2nd shift. It would be so stupid

for

> him to be in school while I'm home and then I pay a sitter while

I'm

> at work. In a small way I'm also worried that if my X ever gets

> smart enough that he will realize that if he ever wanted to fight

for

> custody that he would stand a good chance because I work 2nd

shift.

> I know of people that have lost custody because of that reason.

> Although he would have to prove himself a lot in other ways to get

a

> judge to grant him custody, I don't need anything to be used

against

> me. I know that my job wouldn't let me switch shifts either.

>

> So has anyone ever tried doing that medical transcripting or any

> other at home jobs??????? If anyone has any info they could share

I

> would greatly appreciate it! Thank you,

> Tina W.

September 12, 2002

>

> WIC is another program where you get free milk, cheese and eggs for

> kids under 5(formula or breast pumps for babies)!! I have had that

> for almost 5 years now. I may fight being kicked off cause is

> under weight and disabled. (I play that card often, sorry to those

> who are offended but you dont pay my bills or buy my groceries).

>

YOU GO GIRL!!! I completely agree....

Amy mom to

Noah and Lucas ASD

September 12, 2002

> for almost 5 years now. I may fight being kicked off cause is

> under weight and disabled. (I play that card often, sorry to those

> who are offended but you dont pay my bills or buy my groceries).

There's no shame in getting what you're entitled to. Those programs are

there for a reason -- because people need them!

-Sara.

September 12, 2002

Thanks Amy, I'm in the process of getting FMLA. That should help

incase I have to miss more work. But that doesn't solve my other

problems. I got home last night and the sitter that I hired this

week, who started on Monday, said " I don't know how long I'm going to

do this " . Oh GREAT. Now I have to look for yet another sitter.

Mark threw a 2 hour tantrum last night and I think that is what

caused this. More about that later. I'm just so sick of finding new

sitters every couple of weeks!!!!!

Tina W.

> Tina,

> Another option is to see if you can get authorized for Family

Medical Leave.

> Cameron was able to get this authorized at work. Now, if he

calls in,

> work can't punish him. It's the law. I don't know if you

could get it

> where you work, but you may want to check. " Chronic " conditions

like autism

> are covered, you just have to get it reauthorized every 12 weeks.

>

> Amy H--in Michigan

> Kepler 5 ASD and Bethany 6 1/2 NT

> " Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. " ~ Jefferson

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Join the world's largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

> http://www.hotmail.com

September 12, 2002

Now I have to look for yet another sitter.

> Mark threw a 2 hour tantrum last night and I think that is what

> caused this. More about that later. I'm just so sick of finding

new

> sitters every couple of weeks!!!!!

> Tina W.

tina--

your in wisconsin, right? me too...do you

qualify for respite care at all? cause

i have it for jenna..i get 40hr a month,

which i barely use (now that she's in

school)i did use it the summer tho..

and the lady they found for me, has

kids herself with disabilities, and she

is great with jenna.... it would help

alittle aleast, i know that wouldn't

probably cover all your hours for work...but its

free...just a thought...

nancy : )

September 12, 2002

Yes I'm in wisconsin. I have checked into respite but all I could

get would be around 20 hours a year. And I would have to find my own

person to provide the care. So I didn't follow thru with it.

Tina W.

> tina--

> your in wisconsin, right? me too...do you

> qualify for respite care at all? cause

> i have it for jenna..i get 40hr a month,

> which i barely use (now that she's in

> school)i did use it the summer tho..

> and the lady they found for me, has

> kids herself with disabilities, and she

> is great with jenna.... it would help

> alittle aleast, i know that wouldn't

> probably cover all your hours for work...but its

> free...just a thought...

> nancy : )

September 14, 2002

Here's my story Tina...hopefully, I can make it short.

When Jacqui was 1 1/2 years old I decided to stop working (because of day

care issues, we didn't have a dx then). It was HARD! Our income was cut in

HALF, but we did ok...(You learn quickly).

I ended up working a deal with my employer (stayed on as a consultant for a

while), then ended up with a website maintenance contract with my dh's

employer which lasted a few years.

I still do side jobs (website design and maintenance). It doesn't bring in

a lot of money, but I do it anyway just because I've done it for so long.

Anyhow, I guess my point is...if you decide to stay home, there is ALWAYS a

way to make it work.

Good Luck!

Penny

September 14, 2002

Here's my story Tina...hopefully, I can make it short.

When Jacqui was 1 1/2 years old I decided to stop working (because of day

care issues, we didn't have a dx then). It was HARD! Our income was cut in

HALF, but we did ok...(You learn quickly).

I ended up working a deal with my employer (stayed on as a consultant for a

while), then ended up with a website maintenance contract with my dh's

employer which lasted a few years.

I still do side jobs (website design and maintenance). It doesn't bring in

a lot of money, but I do it anyway just because I've done it for so long.

Anyhow, I guess my point is...if you decide to stay home, there is ALWAYS a

way to make it work.

Good Luck!

Penny

September 14, 2002

I took family medical leave and so did my husband, after Jacqui was born.

Go for it!

Penny

Re: Questions about working at home.

Tina,

Another option is to see if you can get authorized for Family Medical Leave.

Cameron was able to get this authorized at work. Now, if he calls in,

work can't punish him. It's the law. I don't know if you could get it

where you work, but you may want to check. " Chronic " conditions like autism

are covered, you just have to get it reauthorized every 12 weeks.

Amy H--in Michigan

Kepler 5 ASD and Bethany 6 1/2 NT

" Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. " ~ Jefferson

September 14, 2002

> Here's my story Tina...hopefully, I can make it short.

>

> When Jacqui was 1 1/2 years old I decided to stop working (because

of day

> care issues, we didn't have a dx then). It was HARD! Our income

was cut in

> HALF, but we did ok...(You learn quickly).

>

> I ended up working a deal with my employer (stayed on as a

consultant for a

> while), then ended up with a website maintenance contract with my

dh's

> employer which lasted a few years.

>

> I still do side jobs (website design and maintenance). It doesn't

bring in

> a lot of money, but I do it anyway just because I've done it for so

long.

>

> Anyhow, I guess my point is...if you decide to stay home, there is

ALWAYS a

> way to make it work.

>

> Good Luck!

Tina~ If All else fails you can contact your local post offices and

see if the have envelope stuffing jobs? I did this after Noah was

born to help out. Not a lot of money but it helps.

Amy Mom to

Noah 6 Lucas 8 ASd's

September 14, 2002

20 hours a YEAR????

ee-freakin'-gads!

Penny

Re: Questions about working at home.

Yes I'm in wisconsin. I have checked into respite but all I could

get would be around 20 hours a year. And I would have to find my own

person to provide the care. So I didn't follow thru with it.

Tina W.

September 16, 2002

I know there must be a way to do it, I just have to get started. My

BF really wants me to stay at home because he knows it would be

better for Mark. He has been seeing what I go through with sitters,

and how they always quit at the last minute, etc. I am actually

quite amazed because has taken on the the father figure role

with no problems. He likes it too. We sit up at night together

brainstorming ideas on how to help Mark. I made it clear to him he

did have to do this because Mark isn't his son (I didn't want him to

feel he HAD to.) was also brought up the old fashioned way

where the wife/mom stays home and the man goes out and works. I said

I wouldn't be able to stay home and not bring any money in. That not

me. But we are working on solutions. Maybe soon I'll be a SAHM.-

maybe.

Tina W.

September 16, 2002