Dh's job just got worse. He is in route sales and I've complained on here before about them bold face lying about how many hours he'd be working. Now they gave him a routes that are an hour and a half away!!!! They are changing routes around and that is what he got. My brother works there too and they are together for this. It takes about 30 minutes in the morning and at the end of the day to get the paperwork together so it's more of less a two hour commute on top of a ten or twelve hour day. They offered to pay for his motel a few times a week it's that far away. My brother has a new baby and this isn't what he signed up for either. Dh has been hitting the sales numbers so he is now being "rewarded" by being sent out to build up lesser routes. I'm talking a minimum 70 hour work week, for no more pay. He is salaried to their benefit. They gave him Monday off but he won't get paid for it. He was very upfront about wanting to finish school during his interview which is impossible with his 50-60 hour work week he has currently ( they said 4 11 hour days max). And it's not like we're making money hand over fist, it's enough to finally pay the bills and that is about it.

My ds went today to get his medication adjusted for his adhd so hopefully that will help but he has been all over the place. My older dd threw up at school today. My youngest threw a fit about going to school yesterday, the teacher had to literally pry her off of me and then pry her off the doorway. I have an insane amount of school work to do and I just can't concentrate with all this job business. I'm sick of looking at want ads. I've been doing it practically all year. There was finally one to put in for so dh turned his resume in but then I wonder if they even call and end up offering a job will they be telling the truth about what it entails? I just don't know what to do. I have to do everything around here as it is with dh gone so much. I'm not opposed to working but the reason I have my classes online this semester is that it's pretty hard to work around dd's p.m. pre-k schedule, especially being a one car family, with no child care help from all the family that surround me because they work or get drunk. It's so hard to think right now but I guess I have to try. Algebra awaits.

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - 03:57 pm:

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Rayelle}}}}}}}}}}}

~~~~~~~~~~~~Breathe~~~~~~~~~~

I'm so sorry - it sounds like you've got a lot on your plate and on your mind right now. I remember you posting previously about your DH's job/position. Unfortunately, when you are salaried, that is what *can* and often does happen. I think, if they are not willing to work with him so he can finish school, his only option is to look for a different job - again.

It's hard for you to keep up with classes when you have kids/sick kids/family issues to deal with, let alone work while doing it.

I don't have any advice for you, just
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Wandilu on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - 09:32 pm:

Sweety, I'm so sorry that this is all going on ! No advice, just hugs, also !!

By Rayelle on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - 10:16 pm:

Thanks. I keep telling myself things will work out somehow. Things don't go the way I plan that's for sure. I wish staying home with my children was a more comfortable option. My mother stayed home so I just figured I would,as in it's that simple. I have for the most part and I know working brings a new set of headaches along with the (measly) paycheck and for us it hasn't been worth it. Dd is feeling better, youngest dd didn't scream at school today and ds has a new dosage of concerta to start tomorrow. So here's to tomorrow!

By Vicki on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 08:00 am:

I am pretty sure that I remember you posting about this job... didn't he have this one and another one that he was considered for? I remember at that time telling you that nothing is certain unless he got it in writing. I remember thinking at the time that it sounded too good to be true and I wondered what would happen once he got started there. I am sad to see it is what I expected would. Many companies will tell you what you want to hear at the time and then do what they darn well please, knowing not too many people can just quit. They are in business for themselves and their bottom line. Honestly, there aren't tons of companies out there that are willing to work around YOUR schedule. They might tell you up front it can be done, but when push comes to shove, they expect you to work around their schedule and what needs done at work. And unfortunately, the better you are at your job, the more responsibilities you get. That has happened to me in every single job I have ever held.

How much schooling does he have left? Is there any way to take some of it as online courses? Maybe it is time for a new "plan" of action.

By Luvn29 on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 08:05 am:

Has he thought of getting out of sales completely? I know our local wal-mart starts out around ten dollars an hour for the night stockman position. Maybe he can consider something like this. And then he could finish up his schooling, too.

Most sales positions that are salaried end up this way. It doesn't seem to be a good fit with your family, so maybe it's time for a drastic change.

Good luck and lots of hugs.

By Rayelle on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 10:38 am:

It isn't a good fit for our family at all. It was in the beginning years but he was in retail management. It never really went over 50 odd hours then. Plus when the kids were little it didn't matter about weekends or evenings since they were home all the time. There are just so many problems with getting into a brand new field. His experience in sales and retail management is what qualifies him to make more than $6 an hour somewhere, although there have been management jobs that pay only $8 an hour here. It takes money to move and there needs to be a job to move to. My dad said they should be hiring some entry level utility workers at the railroad. It's worth dh filling out the application but my dad warned it is a lengthy hiring process and since it's a job almost anyone can do it's pretty much luck of the draw who they hire. Of course my dad working there doesn't help dh at all, in fact they try to not hire family members. But, it would be a night shift job so he would be free to take classes during the day.

With school he has to go backwards before he can move forwards. Even though he received a grant it's invalid since they say he has enough credit hours he should have a degree. So, he is 9 credit hours away from a degree in something but of course those classes do not help him get any closer to the degree in secondary education he went back for. He can take some of those online but now we need to come up with tuition and book money. We usually get a tax refund so that is the plan so far for the semester that starts in January. Once he has some tech degree, it's a two year degree, then he can accept the grant money again and continue on in education.

Vicki I remember your warning about the job. The other place was the one that didn't like the fact that we don't have perfect credit. The manager said she was going to try to talk her her district manager into hiring him since he was the right guy but I guess they couldn't look past someone having a streak of bad luck. I wonder if any jobs even offer contracts where we live? Maybe he just isn't high enough up to be offered one, I've never heard of anyone having a contract offered. I know we are in a "no fault?" state. Basically they can fire you for any reason at anytime.

I think I am going to try to get a job at night. There are a couple 24 hour places here.

By Vicki on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 12:39 pm:

I don't think there are many places that offer a contract. However, if while in negotiation for accepting a position, they say he can work certain hours etc., he should be able to get that in writing along with salary, benefits etc.

By Kaye on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 02:27 pm:

Rayelle...so here is another question In texas we are hurting for teachers. There are so many programs to get people with degrees teaching jobs. Here you would call the Texas education agency and ask to speak to someone about emergency certification. So my cousin just got a degree in something. She took a handful of education classes, just got a full time teaching job on "probation", after the year she will have a valid teaching license.

Also our local region centers have info on this, or the school district itself. The college will not share that information with you, they want you to have an education degree.

Anyway, I don't know where you live, and I know it doesn't help you right now, but getting those 9 hours may be a huge step towards a career. You just have to ask.

Another thought, what does it take to be a sub in your school district? I guess you don't get insurance that way, but it is a great way to get some experience and to get a foot in the door. If he had a job on weekends and could supplement with subbing.

By Rayelle on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 03:46 pm:

Kaye, when dh started to go for his teaching degree they would let you sub with an associate's degree or 60 credit hours. So, when we found out about the whole financial aid mess we did think at least then he could sub. Substitute teaching would probably be at least as steady and reliable as a commission based job. I called the board of ed to be sure and they said they used to take people with 2 year degrees but they now prefer someone with a bachelors. However, we are close to other counties and another 2 states so it might be different there.

If I can pass everything this semester, which if I try hard I should then I get a refund from my grant money. Then my grant renews for spring at which point I think I can graduate. This all leads me to wrestle with me working again. If we can figure things out with just dh working, I can concentrate on school more without letting everything and everyone go around here. A two year degree doesn't get much but I have seen jobs at the local health department for someone with at least a 2 year degree in psychology. Or, maybe I can do what is needed then to substitute teach in a neighboring county. Working in a counselor capacity is my first choice but I think of teaching as well. Yet again it will depend on what is going on at the time because with all three kids in school full time I can dedicate more time to school to get my bachelors.

Right now we do not have a teacher shortage but one is expected. There are many people slated to retire in a couple years. They gave the teachers an incremental raise so there are alot of people continuing to work to max out their retirement benefits. Dh's advisor said he should be certified to teach at the perfect time.


I hate feeling so unsettled and it has been an unsettling year.

By Debbie on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 03:52 pm:

I would have him really check into subing, especially if he wants to go into teaching. Here in Oklahoma, you don't have to have a degee to substitute. They are always looking for subs. I have a degree, but not a teaching degree, and my dks school asks me every year if I want to sub. I am actually thinking of doing it next year.

By Kaye on Thursday, September 4, 2008 - 06:24 pm:

We have a sliding scale here for subs, you make 60 or 70 with 60 hrs of college, you make 80 with a degree and 90 if you are certified. If you sub for a special ed aid you get 70 no matter what, other aid jobs are 50 dollars. Pretty good part time pay, however it takes awhile to be the one to call.