Stop Your Whining...

I was just perusing Salon when I came across this article. I confess it made me feel not a little guilty, especially after this lengthy rant about working and parenting.

The truth is, even if I do have to return to work in the not-too-distant future, it won't happen for several months and it's something I'll have ample time to plan for in terms of arranging childcare, making the mental and emotional adjustment, etc. And let's face it. My life can't suck that badly if, in spite of our living off of a single salary (plus unemployment checks), we can still afford to rent a vacation home in Santa Barbara for a week in July. And send both our kids to part-time daycare/preschool. And have a house cleaner come twice a month. And buy most of our food at Whole Foods.

Yeah, we're having to live without. But this is living without a la "30-something Yuppy" style. As in, "I guess we won't be going to the Big Island this year" or "We should probably hold off on buying that new car until the economy turns around" or "Let's only go out to that five-star restaurant once every few months instead of every month." This isn't living without the way most poverty-level folks do. As in, "We're going to have to skip lunches this week" or "We don't really need the heater on as long as we stay bundled up in layers" or "You're only going to live with grandma and grandpa for a little while until mommy can get back on her feet."

And then I was reminded of an email I receieved a few days ago from a fellow mom who urgently needed help. I belong to a South Bay parent group called Las Madres, of which there are a few thousand members. Confession: I only signed up so I could use the parent chit chat email list (as you have probably surmised, I'm not much of a joiner). Anyway, one email caught my eye because of the heading which read "Looking to earn any extra money--please help." I've included the copy from the actual email at the end of this post below, in teensy type (because it's rather long).

Bottom line? Times are tough for everyone. And my family is definitely feeling the crunch. But my version of tough times is, most certainly, someone else's version of a relatively pleasant and stable existence.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, the gal who sent the email received a flood of responses from numerous people who wanted to help her out. She sent out a thank you email shortly after. And I think, at least for the next few weeks, she and her husband will be able to relax a little bit.

Email:

I am running out of options so I thought I would try you ladies. My husband was laid off 3x in the past 12 months (he is in sales) and we are hurting very badly right now. Thank God he has finally gotten a new job but his first day was today and he will not get a paycheck until the 15th. We don't even have enough money in our bank account to put gas in my car and I am looking for something I can do to earn some money to tie us over.

The training for his job has taken him out of town for 3 weeks and I am the only caretaker for our child so if you, or anyone you know, has anything I can do from my home I am more than willing to help!! I have a huge background in admin and also a background in real estate.I type 55+WPM and have extensive computer knowledge. I can even do something as simple as stuffing envelopes for someone, I just need to make money quickly.

I cannot do any manual labor as I am in waiting to have surgery on a tear in my knee (when it rains it pours.)
Thank you for taking the time to read this and I deeply appreciate anyone who can lend me some work in this tough time for my family and I.

Best Regards,
S.