A network to share best practices for children with special needs

Getting a Job is hard

I am a single mother with two boys, my oldest son is 12 and he has alot of medical problems, cerebal palsy, seizure disorder ect.. He is unable to walk or talk and requires 24hr care, we recieve 10hrs of PDN,RN a day, during those hours I sleep because I am up with him from 5pm-7am. He is in and out of the hospital alot. I tried to work in a hospital but it only lasted 1 month becuase my son was in the hospital and they told me to choose and I did, my child. It is impossible for me to work outside of my home because of his needs. But I need income besides SSI, I am struggling with my bills and the things my kids need. Does anyone work from home? Is there a job that I can do from home? Thanks

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gloria Doty on June 13, 2011 at 12:22pm

I agree that getting and retaining a job in your situation is extremely difficult. My first suggestion would be to make a complete and honest assessment of your interests and skills; no matter how trivial you may think they are. Are you an excellent typist, do you like to paint, draw, craft, sew, cook, drive, talk on phone, organize, design, garden, arrange flowers, clean, be with children, elderly people?????? On and on. Make it an exhaustive list. Take a couple of days, so you don't forget anything. No one is going to see it but you, so write down every little thing.

Once it is compiled, sort into the "like" "like a lot" " like a little" "only do as a last result" etc. I can't guarantee that will get you a job, but it will visually help you to see what you might be able to do from home.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Geneva Chapman on June 13, 2011 at 12:51pm

Judging from your writing skills, I think you could possibly make money writing blog entries and online articles from home. Check out Helium.com, which pays small amounts but gives potential writersan opportunity to develop good writing skills and allows you to learn what editors want. You might also start your own blog chronicling your experiences as a mother of a special needs child and giving advice to parents with similar concerns. Try Blogspot which is easy to set up and maneuver. Build up your followers by posting links to your blog posts, Twitter, Digg, Reddit, Stumbleupon, Linked-In and other social and professional networks. Once you have enough followers, you'll be able to make money from advertising on your blog. You'll need a Pay Pal account to receive payment advertisers. Good luck and I hope things work out for ou to make a living from home while taking care of your son.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Amanda on June 13, 2011 at 6:48pm

I really appreciate the reply. I am glad I finally found a web site where people care. Again, thank you.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Carol Morgan on June 14, 2011 at 3:27pm

I have read your story with great interest. I like the reply where it was suggested you start to write and blog. I, too, have a special needs child (who is now 39 years old). I have attended a workshop called "Fast Cash." It was suggested there that we find something we love to do and monetize it. What do you love to do? How can you turn that into an income?

The other reply concerned what you like to do, etc. Again, how can you turn your skills and knowledge into an income?

Is there any way you can get out of the house for a couple of hours a day to become a Juice Plus or Jafra consultant? There are many home-based businesses that might fit into your schedule.

I look forward to hearing from you.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gloria Doty on June 14, 2011 at 3:56pm

Writing a blog has been a great experience for me. My daughter is 27 years old. I do freelance writing, also, but I do understand the reality of needing immediate income. That is why I suggested that you list what your likes, skills and interests are. If you can find something to do from home to bring in some money while you continue to explore what you want to do for the future. My blog address is: www.gettingitright-occasionally.blogspot.com