Dia Garland

> You also mentioned finding ways to work from home, which I also think
is
> a good idea, but when someone's under the gun to come up with an income
> instantly, she has to act quickly and often that means getting a job.
It's
> not that easy to come up with ways to work from home, particularly if
someone
> has been staying home with her kids for years and doesn't have a certain
> skill (computer programming, etc.) that translates to an at home job.
It's
> true day care may work but she may not be able to wait out the time to get
it
> filled up and going well<<

Lucy, you make some good points here about work at home. My question is,
where have the church supported programs gone that used to help women left
in difficult circumstances? When a woman is left alone with children, it is
going to be especially difficult for the children to have to spend the day
away from mom. If dad has just left, they need mom even more!

If a mother *has* to work, then it is by far best (for the children) for
their mother to work at home. It is not always the easiest thing, but the
needs of children come before the desires of adults.

There is the problem of starting a home business. It does take time, and
mom and the kids need to eat and pay bills in the meantime. A few possible
solutions here.
Mom goes out to work part time while trying to establish a business. If
friends care for the children during the day for no charge, then the high
cost of day care is eliminated. Stress can be relieved for the single mom
by preparing a hot supper for her and her kids. Maybe spend a weekend
showing her how to cook large batches of food and freeze them so inexpensive
meals are quickly available.

If there is family nearby then perhaps mom and kids could move in while she
tries to establish a business. Again, this is not always a wonderful
choice, but it is far easier on the children involved than being away from
mom all day.

There are some church related organizations still around that help mothers
to get back on their feet. Not enough, but some. Check in to these and
find help.

For those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to stay home, why aren't
more of us supporting these organizations? Are we so busy that we can't
give one day a month to help hurting mothers stay with their kids?? Or is
it that too many of us think that it just isn't that important for moms to
raise their kids?? It comes down to what we value. That which we value, we
support.

Dia

singingbirdmom2002

I found it pretty easy to do medical transcription because I have a
B.S. in Health Related Professions and worked for about 6 years as a
registered occupational therapist. So, I had some anatomy and was
familiar with quite a bit of hospital jargon. A friend from our
homeschooling support group hooked me up with my employer and
mentored me awhile in style, etc. After a few months they cut me
loose to work on my own. I do internal medicine, family practice,
plastic surgery and ENT notes. I would highly recommend some kind of
training.