In Need of a Pep Talk

[buster]

I just had the longest stretch of being unemployed in my life. Previously my record was two weeks, this time 3 years. The economy sucks and I had to think out side of the box and try some thing new. I found a job with the school district that I actually enjoy a lot. I, like you was the main caregiver for the kid for three years. Priceless time spent with my son.
I know how hard it is and how hard I was on myself going threw this. The other members have given some good advice. You can also feel free to PM me if you like. As a stay at home dad I can relate to much of what you are feeling.
Keep your head up.

 

[baronsamedi]

I once got fed up looking for work and went out for a drink. I saw school mate working as a bartender. I went over to say hi and had a job as a bouncer starting the very next night. There's no substitute for networking, wherever you are.

 

[rcstan]

Toker, keep your head up. Like buster said, the best thing is you get to spend time with your kid. My wife is not working and I hustle during the summer, turn it down a few notches in the winter, and we get by. If she were to work, we would probably lose money in the long run by the time we paid for infant care ( which IMHO is silly anyway, the child should spend at least its' first 6 months with the mother ).

Try to explain to your better half what matters to you in life and you guys start from there. I mean, it's not like you sit around boozing and playing video games all day with the kid at your side, right ?

 

[martiniman]

Toker,

Please realize your not alone. You seem like a great guy and you need to network, network, network. Be open to all options. A job isn't a career but a way to pay the bills. Cherish the time you are spending with your child. 20 months will turn to 20 years before you know what happens.
P.S. You are in this with your wife, let her know ALL of your thoughts and concerns and leverage her contacts also......
Check you PM's.

 

[locopony]

Brother, its tough right now keep your head up. I hope thinvs vet better.

 

[baronsamedi]

I've done everything from bootlegging to reading tarot cards to spitting fire at parties. You gotta learn not just to work but to hustle. The most successful people I know don't have an off switch and they never meet a stranger. It's more than meeting people and shaking hands, it's making everyone you meet think you're the guy.

 

[zanthal]

Tokerpipes, I think the secret to finding work these days is to seek out and be fully willing to do jobs that most other people wouldn't consider.
I know that might sound like crap advice, no one wants to work a lousy job ... but if you take a job most other people would hate, and work it on your OWN terms, you might be able to find something quickly.
Baronsamedi sums it up fairly well, I suppose what I'm suggesting in that light is "respectably hustle"
There have been times where I started a job search with the attitude of "someone out there owes me a job" stuck somewhere in my mind. If you start your search imagining you're in the middle of the Great Depression, it might brighten your spirits.

 

[bigmike]

Hang in there Toker. Any day you see the sun come up is a good day..............
Life has a way of twisting and turning you but it is still life.

 

[tokerpipes]

Thanks you guys. All this support is realy helping. Its good to know that even though its distant friends that you got a few that will give you a hand. Thanks for the PM's with numbers will be hitting each one of you us as soon as I can. I have had my boys for the weekend. Its hard to do much of anything when I get them, the ex wife makes life even more fun when I get them.

 

[locopony]

Here is an idea for you. Get local businesses to sponser you to pick up.the trash around your city. Contact the city and get them to let you dump it for free.contact your local radio and news stations tell them what you are doing. Get your story out. Unemployed man cleans up city. You mighty be surprised. Anyway its an idea.

 

[deadwoodpete]

Seen a few days like this myself, toker. Just keep in mind that it can't rain everyday and the sun has to come out sometime.
It is much harder with a little one, and yes, the temp agencies are a good idea. every so often there is an oppertunity for a hire through them. It isn't often, Ill admit, but it does happen.
Hang in there, bro. It will get better.