I agree with the other reply. All the money in the world in not worth it!! Money can't buy happiness. We have no extras and live paycheck to paycheck, but I get to spend time with my kids. I am self employed but don't make alot of money. But I can go to events, spend time with my kids, and that makes it worth it. If you want to continue going to school part time I would say ok, maybe even take online classes so you can do it from home. Your kids are only young once and life is short. Enjoy your kids! It's not always easy to live a simplier life, but I'd rather spend time with my kids maybe cooking than having expensive things.
Too much Stress is bad for everyone and esspecially bad for your health and well being. Good Luck!

Hi,

While I do agree with the last two e-mails, I also know that this is not always possible for a variety of reasons. Ideally it would be the best solution.

As an alternative if other factors really require you to stay at your job, keep the weekday job but PLEASE quit the Saturday job. Trust me, that alone will make a big difference. This step may sound silly, but on each Friday or Saturday evening after the kids are in bed (or some other quiet time), sit down and plan out your housechores and meals for the rest of the week. Grocery shop accordingly, then when you get home you don't have to think about that stuff you can just DO it and have more thought and attention for your kids. Get them to help in whatever simple ways they can -- 4yr old can set the table, 2yr old can "help" you wash vegetables. It makes them feel important and gives them some interaction with you -- so they're not as likely to hang off you or misbehave for attention. I also have a little table and chairs in my kitchen so my son can colour or squish playdough or whatever and we can talk & play while I deal with the parts of dinner he can't help with yet. He likes the playdough because he can pretend to be cooking too.

On your weekends, whenever possible, plan something fun each morning. Make a batch of pancakes and go to the park. Dance around the living room, have a pillow fight, do finger paints/potato stamps, whatever but have some FUN *first thing* so that if there's things you need to do during the day, they're more likely to entertain themselves for awhile than be whining for you. Having a garden (even just potted on a balcony or windowsill) is a GREAT activity for kids and it's about that time of year. Enjoy your kids, they won't stay little.

Behaviourwise, STOP telling them over and over. Tell them ONCE, and have a safe space such as their room where they can go be by themselves for a few minutes (if one is already in there, have a backup room for the other ). Let them know ahead of time that from now on, they will spend some time away if they choose not to listen to you the first time. When a behaviour is repeated after you asked for it to stop, WORDLESSLY pick up the offender and send her to time away. In general, don't respond to protests. They will get the idea. After a few minutes, and preferably when they've quieted down, go in and ask, "so what do you need to do?" (for your 2 yr old, say "so you're going to ____________ now, RIGHT?" so the answer is simpler for her).

It gets a mom-means-business message accross (do it NOW, not the 5th time I ask) while taking the yelling right out of it. Also I often ask my son what rules are for, with the answer being to keep him safe and teach him to get along with others (since we all have to live with other people). He's well-versed in it now.

I work similar hours with a 3yr old, so I know where you're coming from!! The things I mention here have simplified our life so much and I hope it will do the same for yours.

Also every morning I tell my son how much I would love to keep him all day and play, but that I have to work so that we can have a warm place to sleep and good food in our tummies (financially, I am a single mom). Also that as SOON as I am done work I will RUSH to pick him up. Your kids need to feel that they are a light in your life.