December Blog Carnival: Working parents

[Ren]

Yes, we're all "working" parents, but I'm referring specifically to parents who are earning an income. We all have unique methods of providing for our families, from cottage industry to full-time-outside-the-home employment. How does your family unschool and earn money? Do you make something, sell something or work for someone? How do these choices affect your children and your lifestyle?

Some of us have two work-outside-the-home parents and I've heard people say that unschooling doesn't work well that way. Personally, my family has been creative and flexible so that our unschooling lifestyle could thrive. I'd love to hear how other families are doing it.

This will be a round table discussion at the Life is Good conference in May, so I'm being a bit selfish here. I'd love to use some of this feedback for the discussion (if you all don't mind) and learn more about how other families weave income and unschooling together (or are trying to meld them more seamlessly).

As a full-time-work-outside-the-home parent, I don't run into many unschoolers who understand this choice. I know unschoolers who start home businesses that the children are involved with, unschoolers who homestead, unschoolers who have a career and love it, those who don't etc.... We are a diverse lot, that's for sure! Let's explore the ideas behind connecting with our children while earning an income and how that impacts our choices.

Please remember that I need you to email me a link to your blogpost on this topic, either in a message to my profile here or to [e-mail] in order for it to be included in the carnival! The deadline this month is December 4th. Get to writing peeps!:)

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December Blog Carnival entries:

Jane talks about how she and her husband manage to both work full-time yet still make unschooling and attachment parenting the focus in their family. In their case, another parent watches the children when they are both unavailable. She shares how important it is to find the right caregiver and how she spends all her time at home very connected to the children.
http://weblog.xanga.com/janeb602/678715283/can-working-parents-unsc...

Tanya and her husband "tag-team" it in relation to their work hours and being available. Having flexible hours and working from home is her key to making it all flow:
http://familyrun.ning.com/profiles/blogs/december-blog-carnival-wor...

Faith at Bearthmama shares her income making journey over many years. From avoiding school as a single mama to their current situation she writes about what has worked for them and what didn't.
http://faithvoid.blogspot.com/2008/11/dec-blog-carnival.html

Meredith has some lovely insights about being the full-time working parent and how to keep the joy even when work isn't utterly joyful. Having been both the stay-at-home parent and the working-full-time parent gives her a depth of understanding about how things unfold when she is gone from her family.
http://the-dismal-life.blogspot.com/2008/12/work-day-mom.html

Julie talks about chosen "constraints" and how the two-parent-working family can flow with unschooling beautifully. Being creative and positive has opened doors for them and provided new opportunities.
http://blacklocustmanor.blogspot.com/2008/12/unschooling-with-2-wor...

My own entry is about my chosen career path as a makeup artist and being married to a realtor. There is so much we've gained and time together is even more important because of these choices.
http://radicalunschooling.blogspot.com/2008/12/work-and-fun.html

Beth at "Family of Six" talks about how their work impacts their children and the flexibility of sharing work schedules so that one of them is home.
http://6uvus.blogspot.com/2008/11/working-parents.html

Lyssa recently updated an earlier blog entry about the balance and planning that goes into their unschooling plans because of work.
http://hopefunandfeathers.blogspot.com/2008/01/homeschool-and-work....

[Ren]

The deadline is fast approaching!:)
Anyone going to bite? Whatever way you generate extra income (or a main income) is up for discussion. Heck, it could be thoughts you have that are semi-related on the topic. Anything goes!

I'm going to take December off, so no carnival for January. Work is especially busy this time of year and what with holiday celebrations, new friends moving here and my first baby turning 19 on New Year's, I think the carnival can have a break along with me.:)

I'd love to hear from some of you on the December topic though.

[Tanya]

Hi Ren,

I blogged for the carnival on this site. Here's the link. Hope this works for ya.

http://familyrun.ning.com/profiles/blog/list?user=0w0a7hg0jgo2z

Thanks!
Tanya

[Meredith]

Here's mine!
http://the-dismal-life.blogspot.com/2008/12/work-day-mom.html

[Ren]

I was surprised that more of the cottage-industry folks didn't send in an entry! I know there are lots of you out there. It might inspire people looking for ways to make money yet be at home. You can still send me links if you wish.

It was great for me to hear from other two-parent working families. Sometimes it's easy to think we're the only unschoolers doing this!

[Beth Fleming]

Hi Ren,
Sorry that my entry didn't make it to you in time...I emailed you rpivately with the link, but who knows whatever happens in cyberspace! My blog is http://6uvus.blogspot.com/
My best for a peaceful holiday season!!
Beth in Ma

[Ren]

Sorry Beth!! I've added it now.:) Thanks for participating.