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mommy4ever
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| Posted: July 13 2012 at 3:50pm | IP Logged
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This is so totally out there....
I *think* I have a potential something...I feel very excited at the possibility.
This week dd8 was at VBS. DD13 was volunteering. Now, in getting to know some of the people, something came up. The current youth coordinator, is thinking that our parish needs some one hired for the younger aged. There is nothing for the k-6 and in a parish our size, she can't do it all, and would like to see some one hired in the next year or 2.... This is ALL just talk, I KNOW this, there may or may not be truth to it, but in speaking to the youth coordinator and different moms, there is a gap that isn't being filled. I have been told, why don't you just set it up, you organize it. Everytime I had a suggestion, this is the response.
This is something, I think I'd be able to do.
My heart did a flip flop. THIS is something I could love doing! There is lots to be done, but the hours would work for my household. It is *some* evenings, weekends, and then 1/2 days in the office.... I could make that work! REALLY make it work with my family, it would keep all my own involved too, homeschool could work...
I have been dealing with pre-school and elementary students for years. Perhaps, I don't want to get away from it, but a change within it. I had considered university to become a teacher just a couple years ago, but then we started homeschooling. I'm good with elementary and preschool.
BUT... I need to pray hard on this, think hard, to see that this is the right thing. Would I even have the requirements to work for the parish. I snooped online to see what would be necessary to fill such a position. Answer is...maybe
I think I could meet some requirements, and others I might need to grow into. There is a course at our local theological college that I am considering to deepen my faith and knowledge and understanding. From what I've found they'd want you to take that course, which is already in my field of interest. Ok, that's fine. But I'm not involved at the church in any noticeable way, I'm newer to this parish. And with all the family challenges, I didn't have the time. But I spent 5 months driving Sr home after CIC, to and from Mass when she was ill. I helped decorate for camp. I bring in donations for food bank, registered as a parishioner. I'm more of a wall-flower, that is my preference most times. This would really push me out of that comfort zone.
I have been anxiously reading the bulletin to see what is going on this fall, I missed out last year on a group I'd have loved being at and I'm told this year, they aren't going to do it as their core members did all 4 years of it... I'm thinking, fine, let's get it started again, and get a new group to do all 4 years of it...hmmmm there might be something to consider getting my feet wet in.
Are there any suggestions you'd have for some one considering working at a parish?
This is a current opportunity at another parish in the next town:
Qualifications: The successful candidate will be willing to complete the Certificate in Catholic Studies in Youth Evangelization offered by ******** College, or have equivalent professional certification. A background in scriptural, liturgical and theological foundations is an asset.
The applicant must faithfully represent and practice the teachings of the Catholic Church with integrity in word and action. Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to work as a team player are essential.
Perhaps I'm a dreamer, and I'd never qualify, having been a SAHM for the last 18 years, I've ran a home daycare for most of that, homeschooling the last 2 year, and I've only just returned about 18mo ago, but I went back with a purpose, I felt it to the core, I felt driven back to the Catholic church. I have had appointments with the head pastor, trying to find that purpose, I told him, I was coming back, but I wasn't there to be a cultural Catholic, I wanted and needed more in this. He wasn't really sure what to say..lol.
Could this be it?
I wouldn't expect the salary to be all that much, that is fine, we don't need that much, but we need something. The real reward would be spiritual, that would be a major plus for me, this is a huge area of focus for me. Growing spiritually.
I don't know... kinda thinking out loud here. Thoughts?
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: July 13 2012 at 5:00pm | IP Logged
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I'm thinking don't sell yourself short. You have skills from what you've been doing. So tell them. It doesn't have to be classes. Tell them things you've taught for your own kids while homeschooling. Tell them about how you work with your day care parents etc.
And start talking to the people in charge. Let them know of your interest and your abilities in an informal way. So that they are looking for you to be applying for the job. 
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: July 13 2012 at 8:45pm | IP Logged
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Jodie, thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm really getting excited at the prospect.
I am contacting the youth coordinator to participate in the teen group, but requesting it be in the older group so dd13 has an evening without me.
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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guitarnan
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| Posted: July 13 2012 at 9:08pm | IP Logged
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I've been a DRE at a small military parish, and it was a joy to work with the volunteers (well, most of them) and with the children. It isn't always easy working with diverse groups of parents and being the liaison between parents and the parish staff, but it's very doable.
If you feel called to this type of work, I encourage you to sit down and make a list of all the different types of work you've done with children. You will probably amaze yourself.
Then, put that list up somewhere (kitchen) where you can see it every day and remind yourself that you DO have the required experience, and you have the willingness to go through the required training.
Think carefully about the liturgical year - you'll need to be available for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Holy Week/Easter if the parish needs youth programs during those times. VBS will be a huge part of your summer. Talk with your husband about these requirements and about potential Sunday work.
I'll be praying for you as you discern.
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: July 13 2012 at 9:55pm | IP Logged
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guitarnan wrote:
I've been a DRE at a small military parish, and it was a joy to work with the volunteers (well, most of them) and with the children. It isn't always easy working with diverse groups of parents and being the liaison between parents and the parish staff, but it's very doable.
If you feel called to this type of work, I encourage you to sit down and make a list of all the different types of work you've done with children. You will probably amaze yourself.
Then, put that list up somewhere (kitchen) where you can see it every day and remind yourself that you DO have the required experience, and you have the willingness to go through the required training.
Think carefully about the liturgical year - you'll need to be available for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Holy Week/Easter if the parish needs youth programs during those times. VBS will be a huge part of your summer. Talk with your husband about these requirements and about potential Sunday work.
I'll be praying for you as you discern. |
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From my experience, our Parish does minimal through the summer, currently the director is on holidays for another week, then will be gone most of August. Youth will resume in October, September is for training new core members.
My husband is agnostic and celebrates very little. So my being busy during various times in the Litugical year won't be a big deal. Sundays should be a non-issue as this is just a rest day for him at home.
Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter, I spent these last year the church regardless. Holy week I was there daily, dh was fine with it. He knows I want to be involved in a more significant way. I think he'd be fine with me taking a paid position, should it come to be, as I do tend to get involved in many small ways, from his POV, getting paid for these things would be awesome.
Also most of the really busy times at our parish, are our more quiet times at home, ironically.
We've just had our 2nd VBS at the parish. It was this past week, and the only one it has scheduled. I would imagine if the parish had a director, it would be more. But that would work too.
The more I think about this, the more I want it to happen.
Experience
- mom of 4
- homeschool mom to 2
- infant and preschool childcare provider of 13+years
- home daycare business owner
- kindercooking mom for 1 year
Not sure what else... there has been many smaller things going on within each.
I may speak to Sr. next week to see if she'd like an extra set of hands for her CIC program next year. I really enjoyed it last year with my own children.
I do feel called to do something within the parish, whether it gets to be a paid position, or just volunteer, I am looking for something. But the prospect is very exciting.
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: Aug 15 2012 at 11:01pm | IP Logged
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ok, I am going to have a wonderfully busy year. I got confirmation on karate, so I know where I can spend time.
I am helping with the high school kids this year, decision is made. I love the group working with them, and they are staying, so I'll have fun and grow, and help the kids grow.
I will also be helping Sr. with the RCIA for children, 2-3x a month.
This may lead to a job in the future, we'll see, but I'm not too concerned at this point.
Tonight, I was looking at the city listing for the rec centres. DD13 is a talented swimmer and we're considering getting her courses done to lead to either life guard or instructing and there in the courses was a listing for aquafit instruction course.
This is PERFECT. Last year, a few instructors approached me in class, encouraging to get my certification, as they think I'd do really well. But the city didn't offer any classes, we'd have to go elsewhere. I spoke to dh, and he told me to go for it. As a beginning instructor, it would take only 60 hours a month to replace my income from the home daycare. After 100 hours, it would take only 50, then the next 100 only 35.... SO...
Now the course isn't a guarantee to get a job, I know this, but really, there isn't any real reason why I couldn't get a job. I don't need to close the daycare to work with the city, it would be a gentle increase to where I can replace my income.
This is how I see it going:
Come next summer, my 4yo charge is off to school, so I'm down to a pt family. They are doing all they can be here as little as possible to save money. So really, it's not a big deal to close at that point. Next year their oldest is in school 3 days a week, mom works from home, so I would only have them 2 days a week, not really worth my time, but they'd understand.
As a home school family, we have some flex with daytime things if I have no daycare. Many of the daytimes classes are at 8 am, and simultaneous lane swim, which dd13 would love. DD8 is just starting lane swim so it would give her practice. Some times, there are public swims as well. one facility has their kids pool and long water slide open all day. From what another instructor says, they treat their instructors really good, with free memberships, now i can maybe negotiate a family pass, THAT would be a great perk.
So, goal is to get the certification, get hired, and get in as many hours as possible, it will mean evenings and weekends for this year, but once I'm done with the daycare, I can make this work extremely well.
And then I can be patient for an opportunity at the parish, which would be wonderful!
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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Aagot
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| Posted: Aug 15 2012 at 11:43pm | IP Logged
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Sounds like a great plan!
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amyable
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| Posted: Aug 16 2012 at 7:24am | IP Logged
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Sounds wonderful, I hope it completely refreshes and rejuvenates you! 
__________________
Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: Aug 16 2012 at 11:32am | IP Logged
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Wow! That sounds like a wonderful opportunity! Plus you get to exercise at the same time, a win-win in my book.
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: Aug 16 2012 at 11:37am | IP Logged
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Thanks!! I did just find out that I need to take a 2nd course. It's supposed to be first, but the aquatics module is the exception because it's only offered once a year and there is a major shortage out there. It would start the weekend after I complete the aquatics module, so not a big deal at all.
BUT, with that course, it opens more opportunities, so it is a positive thing. There are many other modules that would certify me to teach spin, aerobics, senior fitness classes, group classes(like corporate fitness, home school fitness, etc), etc. SO, it could grow to be bigger if I chose to do so in the future.
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Need ideas for earning income
