Suggestions

find a way to keep her occupied. Give her a movie and tell her what is expected of her. Or send her outside and tell her what you need to get done. You got to explain what you have to do and how important it is. It will take some time but she will get to where she understands.
Good luck

First of all, you need to make yourself happy! Sounds like the 3 yr old was the straw that broke the camels back. The child is feeding off of your emotions and that is why she wants your complete attention. Get her a work/play desk with tv, coloring books, snack, and make her a partner. She is only 3 for a year, then 4, then off to school she goes. I know it sucks. you already have raised your children....why do it again??? because you can. Sometimes stepping outside the picture and looking in, helps. Remember a woman is the back bone to every man, child, and home. Give yourself credit!
Good Luck!

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P., I feel your frustration.

If she cannot afford childcare, maybe she will qualify for the state childcare assistance programs - CCMS. It usually helps most single mothers.

Also, when she is 4, she may qualify for the preschool 1/2 day program at your local elementary school. Qualification is usually by income or ESL.

Do you put her down for naps? If not, you may want to start. A lot can get done while a little one is taking a nap. Try putting her down 30 minutes after lunch for at least 1 1/2 hours - 2 hours. I used to make mine stay down for that long even if they wouldn't go to sleep. Most times if they lay there for over 30 minutes they tend to fall asleep anyway. We had to call it "resting" because they hated the word "nap".

The other option would be to help her pay for some type of childcare or mother's day out program so you can get some work done.

Hope this helps!

Look for a Mother's day out program. A lot of times they are two days a week and are around $100 a month. I live in Grand prairie,Tx and I am an Assistant Director at Turnpike Christian Preschool. We do have children 18 mos-5year olds. It is 9-2 and I am sure that the times would be similar. Most Mother's Day out programs are. I know that you said that she can't afford day care, but maybe she could do this. They might even have some scholarship money available. Good luck. I understand what you mean about getting others to understand that working from home is a job. I also work from home and I am trying to have posted mommy hours.
H. M.

I agree with Tam. You have to either have your granddaughter lay down to "rest" or help your daughter get her in some kind of program. If you had 1.5 - 2 hours each day to get some work done you would likely see a big improvement in your results.

Saying NO is hard but can be very impowering at the same time. It gets easier with each time you say it.

Best of luck!!
D. :)

DUTCH DOOR!!! That is what I am having to do with my 2 year old daughter so that I can actually get some work done. She can still hear me and knows that I am in the next room. i can check on her often as well. I do not leave her there all day with no interaction from me, but when I need to spen time concetrating on my work with as little "help" from her as possible, in her room she goes. I leave the top half open and just close the bottom half. I LOVE dutch doors.

Hope this helps,

L.

Well from one P. to another I just may understand.We all have opinions and thats all I have.Although its hard to have an opinion on 10 or so sentences.I know everything isnt all black and white :)First I see, have to keep, have raised,His books, his company. 54 and how can I just say NO? Sure there is time management.I could use more of that myself.Like 1st hr of morning set it aside towards business and bringing in money.No negetives in that morning, no emails phone ect.Focus 1 hr beginning end whatever.With that said...If you are happy those around you will benefit more.I dont know what your daughter does for a living.I know times are hard but we have heard that every generation.I know there are too many grandparents who have to raise their childrens children.Grandparents are sapposed to well... spoil not have to worry about displine any more.Do you feel guilty about saying no?Do you feel you dont live up to epectations of mother,grandmother,mate?Do you worry about what if you need help and your children are not there for you?Also dont know how you are financially?Did you start raising children at a young age and feel its your time?To a. find out what you want to do in life towards being able to handle retirement with or without your mate.....I know that takes work also You BOTH just need to decide to do the work.And I pray that happens.Or b.already there and feel like going on a cruise or take a class or whatever around "your" schedule.Thats where understanding needs to take place between all involved.Dont put all resposibilities on yourself because you work at home.You could go rent an office with more overhead and then ...ohhh just kidding.Ill try taking my own advice here.Find strengths in each other and help each other be strong.Can your daughter expand on her career path?Can she supliment her income.Does she know or can she get to know more mothers that have children that she can barter child care with?Maybe she can barter with you.Let her know you believe in her strength.In the process just make sure to keep and build your own.Dont know if this helps but my intentions are that it does.
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She just wants your attention and to be near you.

I have a soon-to-be 3 year old, and I work from home 2-3 days each week.
My 'office' is a desk in the room that should be my dining room. Next to my desk I have a TV with a Sony playstation hooked up. I pop in elmo/barney/Starwars dvd's into the playstation and let my son watch TV next to me. I also have some toys, snacks, and coloring books out for him to play with. This way he is in the same room with me where he can see me but is occupied so I can get some work done.

I take periodic 'breaks' to push him on the swings out side or watch him slide or I'll walk with him around the block while he's riding his tricycle. Then we go back inside and I get back to work. After lunch we will both go lay down and 'rest', but as soon as he's fallen asleep I get up and get quite a bit of work done while he's sleeping. When he wakes up, he's back to watching movies or playing games on the play station, etc. until my older kids get home from school.

You have received a lot of great ideas. I have a home office and had a similar set up as one of your responders. I had the tv/ computer with learning games and books (readers and coloring). You would be surprised how quickly children that young learn the computer. At 3 my daughter could log on to PBSkids.org and I knew it was safe and educational.
There was another "stay at home" Mother in the nieghborhood and we would trade days to watch the girls. They kept each other entertained.

I would not let a child that young outside alone, even in a secure backyard. It is too easy for a child to injure themself. I did get my laptop wireless so I could sit outside or by the patio door and work some days.

The suggestion of aid is a good one. If she does not know where to start check with WIC it is for women and infants, but they may have info. YOur city's Health and Human Services Department, United Way or Catholic Charities may have ideas on assistance.