Arts & Craft Project

Today, Abbey and I decided to do a fun arts & crafts project. She has a pad of floor paper, so I taped 4 sheets together and taped them to the floor. I didn't have painter's tape, so I just used regular tape. Then, I tried to get Abbey to lie down so I could trace her. She wasn't having it. 

 So, I stripped her down to her shirt and diaper and then squirted the paper with all the colors of paint we have. I am using washable paint, so I wasn't very worried about the floor becoming dirty or her shirt for that matter. 

 And then, I just let her do what she pleased. She was a bit apprehensive at first...

 But then she realized what was going on and started to really make a "mess"!

 She seemed to like scooting her little butt on the paint and paper. 

 She had fun walking, but it was so slippery that I needed to hold her steady so she didn't wipe out!

 And this is our finished project! I am not sure exactly what I am going to do with it. I am going to un-tape each page. I might hang one up in her room and add the rest to my collection of painting that I want to use as wrapping paper. 

This can be fun for babies and young children! I recommend nontoxic washable paint for those little ones (mine still likes to lick the paint and she is almost 2yrs old!)

Clean up was simple:

I brought Abbey straight to the bath tub and gave her a bath. Then, I put her in her crib so I could clean up the "mess". I un-taped the painting and brought it to my bedroom floor to have a flat place to dry. Plus, my bedroom is blocked off from the dog and Abbey during the day. Then, I just mopped up the area with my Swiffer Wet Jet and all was clean again!

Returning to Work

I have been home with my 19m old since February. It has been tough because I love to be able to be with her all day, but money became very tight, especially when I lost my unemployment claim case all because my former employer just doesn't want to pay Unemployment. (But that is for another day, another time, and another blog.)


After months of job seeking and having no luck, I became very depressed and insecure about my credentials. I have over 9 years of experience in the field of Human Services. I have an immaculate record at my old company, too. I applied to so many jobs in this field and received two call backs. One had hours I was not able to work (3rd shift), and the other seemed fishy. They said to come to orientation and then I would get interviewed. I think in this field, you need to conduct interviews first. I mean, you are hiring people to be care givers.


Last month, I swallowed my pride and contacted my old manager after I hear there was a part time position available at the group home I used to work at. Unfortunately, the hours didn't work. It is hard to work second shift with a baby. No daycare is open late enough, and all my family works. 


Last week, my old manager contacted me with a full time position he had available. I was desperate to have a job, so I told him I would try to make something work out for childcare for my daughter. Fortunately for me, someone I knew from the daycare was available to care for Abbey in my house on the three days I needed help. She had just quit the daycare and needed work. She accepted my pay incentive and has agreed to watch my baby girl. This was great! Not only could I return to work, but I also had someone to come to my home to watch Abbey. That was what we wanted, after our unpleasant experience at the daycare. 


It is hard to find someone to trust to come into your home and take care of your child these days. I know this young woman personally. I have worked along side of her at the daycare, and she loves my daughter. Tomorrow is her first day of watching my baby girl, and I am nervous. I am nervous not because I don't trust her, but because I hate being away from my baby girl and missing the things she does. 


Today was my first day of training.....yes I have to retake all the initial training even though I have only been gone from the company since October of 2011. Good thing though I don't need to take the certification classes because those are all still current (CPR, First Aid, Med Admin & PMT). Sitting in this training is so boring though. After being there for 9 years, I have great knowledge on the company, procedures, policies, and whatever else they tell us these first few weeks. I could probably teach these trainings! It is so hard to sit there and keep my mouth shut and just listen and learn...again.... BUT I am doing it. At least I get paid to be there. 


And at least I am able to be back there. I learned recently that they have stopped rehiring employees. I was such a good egg that the Executive Director made an exception. I am a core person at the home I used to work at. You can refer to me as the "house mom". HAHA! No seriously. I am so grateful to be able to go back to my home away from home and my family. Thank you so much for giving me that chance. 

Working Families and Childcare

I need to find something to help supplement our income. I was offered a full time position back at the group home, which I would like to accept, however, daycares close an hour before I would be out on two of the days. Trying to find childcare is tough when you don't work the traditional 9-5 day. (I don't think 9-5 is all traditional anymore anyways) My Hubby works until 8p, which causes more dilemmas! 


Plus, most times, daycare costs are half or more of your weekly pay. 


I was checking out a site called Care.com, which lists child care facilities, providers, nannies and babysitters. They include a background check, too. But you have to pay before you can contact anyone or get more information on them. A lot of the people on here charge a lot, too. I don't see the point of working if most of your earnings go to childcare. It doesn't work out financially. 


There needs to be more options available for working families with non-traditional working hours who also do not have family/friends who are home to watch their child(ren). 

Finding Work....

I have to admit that I love being able to stay at home with my daughter. I love the fact that I get to watch her learn and grow every day and that I am not missing out on anything. Unfortunately, money is too tight and I need to return to the work force. I've been having problems finding the right job. I have a lot of experience in the Human Services field (9 years), but I am limited to what schedule I can work due to my husband's schedule and daycare. Most jobs in the Human Services field are 2nd shift, and my husband gets out after daycares close. I also have a gap in my work experience, which I think is inhibiting my appeal to potential employers. 

Last night, one of the administrators from my last job suggested that I add "Stay at Home Mother" to my work experience on my resume. Why didn't I think of that??!?! It closes that gap and it shows that I wasn't just sitting on my butt the past few months. Raising a Toddler is hard work. And when you add in all the other household duties I do, that's a full time job! 

Thankfully, the position I always wished my old company had is probably in the works of being made. And I am a strong candidate for it. I mean, one of the people I would be working under refers to me as his "protege". 

I am going to keep a positive outlook on this potential opportunity, and I am going to feel so much better now when I apply to jobs and I include my "Stay at Home Mom" experience!