We're going to have to find some sort of cheap/free legal advice. We're looking around now.

And we'll be doing all the moving ourselves. Can't afford to hire movers.

If your son is home all day working on I.S., why don't you get a day job?

I know the pay may not be great, (to start with ) but without childcare to worry about, you may be able to work part time hours.

I am going to look for a part time job, but I don't want my son stuck at home all day watching a 2-year-old while trying to do his school work. She's at a pretty demanding age right now and I know it's difficult even for me to get anything done while I'm watching her. I wouldn't mind leaving her with him some, but I'm trying to find something in the late afternoon/evenings when my H will be home to watch her.

The family has to pull together when the circumstance arises. If he has to watch his sister, so be it. At least she is only one. (We have families that have 14 children in the house-- those older siblings child care full time!)

I teach high school and I can tell you many, many siblings have hours of childcare (hours every day after school - they survive.)concerns. This is more true in todays economy.

I have read this thread, your son owes your family a lot. Also, it is not going to help your M to work oposite hours than your husband.

Writer, what do you think about working in child care, so you could bring your daughter? I got free tuition for my daughter, and I had a year to take the certification class. Actually, I never took the certification class, the preschool kept trying to schedule a class but it kept falling through. Or you could work as a nanny and bring your daughter. I know folks who do call center work from home. There may be other things you could do I'm not thinking of.

I would love to work in a daycare so I could take my daughter with me, but all the jobs I've seen around here require 12 ECE credits, which I don't have right now. I wouldn't mind doing home daycare, though with living in an apartment, that might be tough. Most of the nanny positions I've seen for the area we'll be moving to (fairly affluent) are live-in, so probably wouldn't work. I have heard of others who do call center stuff from home too. Not sure where to find something like that. So many of the "work from home" job listings turn out to be a scam.

Anyone know of a list of legitimate "work from home" jobs?

My H and I have worked opposite shifts before. We did it for 5 years when I worked for B&N. It isn't ideal, but I only worked about 20 hours a week, so it wasn't terrible. I kind of miss working at the bookstore.

One of the older posters here used to get jobs through elance which lets you bid for work that you do out of your home. Stuff like writing short articles for websites, basic research, etc. Might be worth a try.

That was Catperson if my memory serves me.

My mother has done work at home stuff for years. Unfortunately, most of what she does is call-center type work. It's great but you need to have a quiet work environment in order to do it, so you'd have to find someone to watch your daughter while you worked. Or do it at night.

If you're interested I can give you a list of the companies she has worked for and how to apply.

I think I've heard of it before. Sounds right up my alley.

I would like to look into it. Thanks. Any info I can get at this point would be greatly appreciated.

Hi writer1-

You're a writer-right? (Sorry, couldn't resist )

Have you looked into technical writing/editing? It's usually freelance work, but it is always in demand. A good writer can make sense of just about anything, and that's really what technical editing is. Plus, you don't have to know the subject field you are editing, because you will be able to ask whoever wrote it (scientists putting together reports for the FDA, geeks who write manuals for computers that only they understand, etc) for input on stuff that's confusing.

I've done it-only for my twin brother who is a physicist-and it wasn't too difficult. If you have a way with words, you could be in big demand.

Just a thought-

This is really good, because I'm pretty much a technical moron.

I always assumed some technical knowledge would be required for technical writing, but I wouldn't mind giving it a go if that's not the case.

But I'm really stupid when it comes to technology.

When I did work for my twin brother, I frequently had to call and ask him "what the h@&* does this mean?". As a technical editor, your job is to make it make sense to anyone who isn't a "technical" person. My brother used to have to send reports to the FDA and the folks who would be reading his stuff didn't know anything about fiber optics and computer interfaces (nor did I) or how this whatchamacallit worked with that thingamajiggy. They had to understand WHY it worked and how it mattered. So, I would ask him about it, translate it into common English, and then write it up.

I think you can do it.

My sis has a friend that works a "call center" out of her home. She does not have a small child tho. I imagine it would have to be quiet in the room you are working in.

It is for a home shopping network. She takes orders.
She has to be available all times during her shift, but she is not "on the phone" that much.
I don't know how much she makes, I could find out.

The "technical-ness" of technical writing varies greatly by company and product. I'm a tech writer who entered the profession with a BA in English and a master's degree from seminary. I could write English pretty well and understood a modicum of technology, and caught a break in '99 when a friend of mine referred me for a job opening at his company. Everything I know about tech writing has been learned on the job.

These days, maybe employers are less willing to take a risk on someone new to the field and without a degree in technical writing or something related. I don't really know; I haven't gone job hunting in awhile (thank the Lord). But I think it's not out of the question for you to land a tech writing job of some kind.

Most of the documents I write are manuals and Help systems for a software program used by lawyers to help them manage their practices. So the audience isn't highly technical, and I view my job very much as "translator". I try to render instructions in concise, semi-conversational English. That's the kind of challenge I enjoy, and maybe it would be up your alley too.

Anyway, just thought I'd flesh out the picture of what tech writing *can* be about, if you find it helpful.

Hey Ms. Writer,

Well calm down Ms. I know easy for me to say but is my advice. First, regarding the tax implication of possible reportable "income" if the bank writes off the loss, you don't need to worry about this until you file your 2011 federal and state tax returns in April 2012 (and yes don't forget this may be income as well on your state tax return). This "income" event would not occur if at all until later this year. And, the bank would have to declare a loss to them and income to you to the IRS, and that would need to be sent to you by the bank in January 2012. Point being you have a full year to prepare for this. So, if I were you I would and have your husband do a frickin lot of research on the Internet and in the library on this over the next several months. The information should be available, and you shouldn't have to be concerned about shelling out for an attorney at this point. When you find out if this is going to be reportable income THEN contact the IRS and your state revenue dept. to inform them if you are not able to pay, and work out a payment plan. The IRS is primarily concerned with tax fraud and tax evasion. They don't have the resources to come after the 'little guys' like you and I. They and state agencies are charged with collection of taxes due under the statutes but they are not going to kill someone for inability to pay - which is totally different than fraud or evasion. I've heard as little as $50 a month, depending on the amount owed. Please keep in mind Ms. Writer that I am NOT an attorney. I do have several graduate courses in tax accounting from the 1990's and several years working in tax accounting, but that is all I offer. Also, please pull up and review all the info you can find on Pres. Obama's economic recovery act as there are I believe provisions in it for your type of situation. I know sweeti alot of work but if you guys make the effort you could garner alot of info not only to ease your minds some but to be fully knowledgeable IF you do have to meet with an attorney. You need to get going to check all of this out.

On the jobs thing, have you checked out workathomenoscams.com?
I work part-time now and have been looking for something I can do at home. Writing, or technical writing was one of my selections along with accounting and editing. I spent a fair amount of time back in January looking at sites like this and believe me there are a fair amount of jobs out there - both on-site and at home. The site I referred to above appears to me to be legitimate. And, there are several others. Along with my searches I also read reviews and searched for scam alerts for each site. I haven't had a chance to do much with thius because I have been busy with Char and my son and work right now, but I will get back to it. Immediately navigate away from any site that requires a credit/debit card no. or any initial membership fee.

As far as apt. living not sure what to offer you execpt that Char and I did for a number of years early in our marriage, and even now that I am in a condo. A couple of the apartments were in older buildings but they had god awful space. One apt. was small and I remember Char insisted on storage compartments - the cardboard kind and worked okay then. Now there are plastic units - the stacking kind - and they are cheap, can even substiture for a room, and can store anything from underwear and socks to tools, packaged goods, etc. I use some now. Well, these are my suggestions but I realize that you have your own info and requirements.

There is one thing I would like to suggest Ms. Writer, and that is that you (and maybe your husband too) seem to bounce right up into the air feeling helpless with each new threat. I just needed to say that and it is not judgemental in any way. It is just an observation. I just have sort of a feeling too that you're not getting the calming and action support for your family and you from your husband that you should. Again just an observation and I am just someone way out east of you here...*s* But anyway here are a couple of suggestions: 1) you and your husband work together to research the Internet (or local libraries) regarding information that would prepare you to deal with this stuff - i.e, the foreclosure, the tax stuff, the probation system, etc. Believe me Ms. Writer, there is a ton of info out there -you just have to sift thru, have the time to do it and evaluate the reviews. 2) maybe he is already, but maybe your husband should take a little more of the lead in deflecting this stuff from you so that ou don't get so upset. I have learned over time (and believe me it took awhile0 to handle adverse stuff myself to the point of revealing it to Char. I am not advocating being dishonest, just deflecting and attempting to handle adverse thngs from Char that have happened to us so she doesn't have to worry about it and before it really becomes an issue. I guess that the simplest example would be your issure with the tax question. I would have done the research and have tried to get the knowledge and facts before I even discussed with Char.

I wish you so well and will continue to remember you in my prayers....and IF you come on here with even a newer challenge....you're going to need a Novena!...*s*

Tom

This.

I don't understand what you mean when you say that my H should take more of the lead in deflecting things from me. I thought we were supposed to work through problems and issues together. How can we do that if he's deflecting them?

You have a tendency to catastrophize. You seem to deflect helpful advice with "Nope. Can't do that because "a", "b" or "c"."

You have a post grad degree. You have grown and tiny children. I am sure you have the life skills to handle situations.

In addition, this is a MB board. Maybe that is why it is suggested that you i nvolve your H more in problem solving.
Don't take this as a 2 x 4, there are so many sincere people here who want to help.