Principal #1 my family comes first.
but the kids gota eat. Any single dad’s out there? What do you do about child care vs. work?? Esp. if child care is not available? ( handicapped child).
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Jim
When Niko (my older daughter now 27) was just two I took care of her alone for five years of her life till she was seven and I remarried. During that time alone I had to suppliment the little money I had from an alternative school I was part of running (great place to have had Niko all day, with and without me). So, she was at my school being well taken care of for two days a week while I did carpentry gigs.
You never said how old your kids were. There should be child care in most areas. Why not in yours? If there isnt then why not move to a place that there is? Whats holding you back? What kind of work do you do and how well can you get paid? Are there any other single working parents in your area you can team up with and get some in home child care splitting the costs?
More info is needed.
Be a great Dad
Namaste
andy
"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
You never said how old your kids were.
Son is 14, girl is 15 w/ an unknown degenerative brain disease. developmentally she is approx. 1 yr.
There should be child care in most areas. Why not in yours?
IT seems everyone is either afraid she will die on their watch, or unwilling to change diapers.
If there isnt then why not move to a place that there is? Whats holding you back?
The prospect of educating another community about my daughter. People are about the same everywhere, and some think that they know her better than I do, know better how to raise her than i do...Hillary Clinton for example. Here, at least the powers that be at least know me now. I really do not enjoy the urge in me to go hunting people.
What kind of work do you do and how well can you get paid?
I am a generalist. Conceited enough to think that I can do anything anyone else can, only better, intelligent enough to know that is not necessarily true.
Are there any other single working parents in your area you can team up with and get some in home child care splitting the costs?
I have/am looking, see above. As things are now, my son sometimes takes care of her after his school, but that is really not fair to him. This summer, he will have a job (Boy Scout summer camp counselor trainee) so he will not be avail. I could take her w/ me, but that is not always the best for her either.
More info is needed.
Jim, I knew a guy in a similar circumstance with two special needs children. Our connection was professional so I did not know his personal situation, I understand he utilized programs available through the public school even though they were not of school age. Also I suspect he took advantage of some well justified government assistant.
I would suggest checking with public schools, however don't go to the local school district. Programs like these are typically offered at the county level. If you don't get much info there, take your search to the state level.
If you are located in MI let me know. My wife is a special education teacher and has much of this info on hand.
Scott R.
Edited 1/8/2003 10:18:15 AM ET by Scott R.
Thanks, Scott, My wife taught SPD preschool till she died. I learned a lot from her. The municipal services i have found tell me my income is too high. And I am not sure I like that camel's nose under my tent.
I'm a single dad, I have just always worked around her daycare schedule and bugged anyone in sight when I couldn't. What is different between us is that my daughter is healthy, and she has a mom to take her on weekends.
It still isn't any picnic, and I have been thinking of getting a roommate/maid/nanny person. Any chance something like that would work for you? I know quite a few people that provide special care and they all have one thing in common, they barely make enough money to live. It seems that you could find someone that is qualified to care for your daughter that would love a break on their cost of living.
Just a thought.
Thanks, i havn't given a live-in much thought. preciate.
Yep , I was going to say the same thing . A lot of elderly people would do it that are on a limited income . Of course you make them family when that happens . My brother actually stayed with an elderly person when he lived in Maine . They had a good arrangement that worked well. I know thats off the subject , but people are who you must turn to.
Good luck
Tim Mooney
when i knew i would be leaving on this little adventure i let a guy who was working with me know as soon as i knew. He was talented, not stellar, but solid. I taught him the last few secrets about stairs and rails and handed off a few of my tools. He took over one of my better stair accounts and off he went on his own. (turns out i must be pretty good because he is one of their top installers now)
Called him on the phone last week. ( In Bosnia U.S. military bases are about the only place with phone service) and he is doing great. he says things are slow but he is staying busy. He has custody of his two kids. He subs from one or two shops and they know his situation and work together. He can make a living and take care of them too. He's giving up some but they won't be little forever and then he can refocus and concentrate on work.
Put the family first no matter what and it will all work out.