Need Help Finding My Footing

I want your problem--I miss being a full-time parent now that I am single and am teaching full time and running crazy with kids' activities. My first thought is volunteer at your kids' school! You could read with a child that needs it and it's hard for the teacher to give that individual attention--or make copies, do some cafeteria supervising etc etc. Outside of the school setting, So many volunteer needs--homeless (Berry Good Buys-Safe Haven). Not your thing? Museums always need docents--Natural History Museum, Cowgirl, Kimbell, Amon Carter etc. Why are your kids gone until 6 pm? Pick them up after school and go do fun things with them--savor the time with them! Good luck...

There is a newcomers group in Ft Worth, we meet for a monthly luncheon plus many other activities. We have book clubs, garden club, bridge, pinoccli, movie day, ladies lunch out, lets have fun(field trips) and other groups that I do not participate in. It is not just for newcomers to town but also women reaching new stages in their lives. You are more than welcome to join us. The group is mostly women who are older than I am but I enjoy it anyway. Please reconsider volunteering at your children's school, I have met some of my best long time friends volunteering at school. I never really enjoyed working with the children so I did jobs in the copy room or selling ads for the yearbook or selling refreshments at ball games. There are many options other than interacting in the classroom. They always need help in the library. Good luck

Do you have a hobby. I embroider, especially quilt blocks and pillowcases. I also quilt and have taught how to make a quilt. I paint with oils on Fridays and do children's portraits. I sew and love it. You could take classes and learn a new craft like pottery, etc. Just a few sugestions.

If you like pets, people are begging for somebody to care for their pets so they don't have to board them when they're out of town. For a lot of pets, it's more traumatic to go to a kennel than to stay hmoe alone and miss their family. You can walk them or play with them, love on them, brush them and just spend time with them.

Call and get the average boarding feels for a 50# dog and also for a cat. It's not an issue of the money, it's the fact that they don't want their pet locked in a cage all day, no matter how large it is.

I also water plants, collect mail, turn lights/radio/tv on/off, etc.

Start out with people you know (from church, work, etc). Spread the word through your friends.

The best part is you don't have to 'put up' with people. Animals can be much better companions than most people, ha! ha!

No really, you could always volunteer at hospitals, nursing homes (read to someone who has to family/visitors), animal shelters, etc.

I am currently volunteering with Catholic Charities. They have a lot of different programs to choose from with volunteer hours throughout the day and evening. I volunteer teaching English to refugees from Africa and S.E. Asia. It is really great, b/c I am working with adults (I get enough kid time with my kids). Another great program that I want to work with soon is the Fort Worth Dallas birthing project. They help young, inexperienced mothers through pregnancy and the months immediately following the birth. There are a lot of great programs in Fort Worth!

Try working part time from home while the kiddos are in school; you can find something of interest and make money while doing something you love. There are many things on the market. I am a Shaklee distributor and earn a substantial income while working from home. We are about creating healthier lives and wealthier live for interested people; plus we help clean up the environment.

If interested check out the website below:

http://choice-wellness.myshaklee.com

It may or may not be something you are interested in; but you may know someome that this would be a great fit for. The comp plan is great and the trips are fabulous too!

Health and Prosperity Always,

S. A.