Work poll

[centralperk]

Just curious what the current distribution is on the board.

[anna7602]

Does work-at-home/freelance/sometimesSAHM count as a combination of 1-4 above or should I vote "special snowflake"?

[centralperk]

May 22, 2012 4:02:33 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Does work-at-home/freelance/sometimesSAHM count as a combination of 1-4 above or should I vote "special snowflake"?

I forgot to add a SS, I tried to add it but I can't figure out how. But to me, that is working part-time.

[violetsmommy]

I am SAHM but looking for something part time or studying.

[dorothyinAus]

I am reluctantly unemployed. I was a legal secretary for 14 years in the US and then worked as a legal secretary/receptionist/account clerk for 3 months here.

[oneslybookworm]

I work full-time, but sometimes it's from home, sometimes it's from an office, and sometimes it's from England.

[popcorn]

I'm a SAHM, but currently considering working within the next few months. Thing is I know no German and am having a hard time finding jobs for just English (or even English-Spanish) speakers. Also, we need to make sure with DD's daycare costs that it will come out worth it for me to work.

We also found out that I may be eligible for something called Elder Geld (I think?) because I am a SAHM. If I get that I could be paid about 300 euros a month until Kernel is 3 for staying home. In that case I probably wouldn't go to work until Kernel is 3.

[anna7602]

May 22, 2012 4:59:55 GMT -5 popcorn said:

We also found out that I may be eligible for something called Elder Geld (I think?) because I am a SAHM. If I get that I could be paid about 300 euros a month until Kernel is 3 for staying home. In that case I probably wouldn't go to work until Kernel is 3.

They have something similar-ish in France in a variety of schemes. For some, it's a supplemental income you get if you go part-time/flex time at your job (to make up for lost revenue) and for others, it's a "salary" you get if you have more than one kid. I think you have to have a certain number of kids under a certain age, actually, for this last one. All things meant to encourage population growth.

Oh Europe! Maybe if we ever experience negative population growth in the U.S., things like this would exist.

[wise_rita]

I voted work FT outside the home, though I won't start work for another 2 weeks.

I have been unemployed since finishing grad school 9 months ago and it is not good for my mental health.

Yay for contributing!

[jennybee1018]

I work full time at an office Sun - Thurs, and make some extra money on the side teaching Zumba 3 times a week :-)

[chelbel7]

I work full time outside the home and part-time from home. However, I'm currently on maternity leave. I am starting my part time work though.

[Cheesecake]

I have a full time outside the home job, but get to work from home regularly. Love pajama work days!

[crimsonandclover]

Most of the above? I stay at home with DD (thank you, scholarship), but I also work PT (translating from home and teaching English 1 night / week) and am doing my PhD the few hours a week that the nanny's there. So... yeah. PTSAHM / PTWAHM / PTWM / PTStudent.

[bugabean]

I am unemployed. I don't think I can call myself SAHM anymore when my kids are in daycare.

[gibbylod]

I work full time from home, I'm not a SAHM... so I didn't know how to vote

[Wanderista]

I usually work from home most days, but go in periodically for "meeting" days.

[travelingturtle]

popcorn, I get confused by the different types of offerings here in Germany, but I think the word you're looking for is Elterngeld. There's also Mutter geld, but I'm not 100% sure on how they differ. I thought Elterngeld was for either parent who doesn't work, but had a job and then they get 67% of their pay for a year or so. And I thought Muttersgeld was closer to that 300 E a month that you mentioned. But, I'm not sure if Elterngeld becomes 300 E a month if you are unemployed. And when I first moved here someone in some government office told me they were eliminating something and it could very well be Muttersgeld. I'm so confused.

Anyway, I think you are in a different situation from me since you're married to a European. From what I understand, and if anyone knows, please verify. I'm not eligible for eltern or muttersgeld because my visa doesn't allow me to work in Germany. Obviously I wouldn't qualify for 67% of my non-existent, pre-baby, German salary since I haven't worked here - and 67% of 0 is still 0. But, one of my working, new mom German friends said she thinks I should qualify for the 300 E anyway. Does anyone know?

[Deleted]

I guess I belong in the special snowflake category. I'm an opera singer/actress looking for representation. For the past 16 years I've been responsible for finding my own contracts/performances/productions so I'm used to the life style of not having jobs perfectly lined up... aka not full time in a literal sense. Whenever I don't work I "work" on my repertory (I'm extremely self-disciplined) and see my coach regularly, devouring music upon music upon music.

[potatopie]

I work full time and am technically a full time student as well. Writing a dissertation.

[ktkl09]

I work 80% at preschool and my two afternoons off are usually spent as a nanny for a 6 yearold girl that I have been caring for two years. I work around 45 hours/week.

[crimsonandclover]

May 22, 2012 8:14:31 GMT -5 travelingturtle said:

popcorn, I get confused by the different types of offerings here in Germany, but I think the word you're looking for is Elterngeld. There's also Mutter geld, but I'm not 100% sure on how they differ. I thought Elterngeld was for either parent who doesn't work, but had a job and then they get 67% of their pay for a year or so. And I thought Muttersgeld was closer to that 300 E a month that you mentioned. But, I'm not sure if Elterngeld becomes 300 E a month if you are unemployed. And when I first moved here someone in some government office told me they were eliminating something and it could very well be Muttersgeld. I'm so confused.

Anyway, I think you are in a different situation from me since you're married to a European. From what I understand, and if anyone knows, please verify. I'm not eligible for eltern or muttersgeld because my visa doesn't allow me to work in Germany. Obviously I wouldn't qualify for 67% of my non-existent, pre-baby, German salary since I haven't worked here - and 67% of 0 is still 0. But, one of my working, new mom German friends said she thinks I should qualify for the 300 E anyway. Does anyone know?

I made a whole new post about this since it would have taken up too much space here. It's called "**popcorn** (and any other interested German ILs".

[cupcakes]

I work 2 half days and 3 full days. During the 2 half days and weekends I work on starting my own business.

[blushing]

I work from home Sat and Sun night and then I am a SAHM from Monday to Friday. Basically I am a bit confused.

[elenetxu]

I work full time and will be starting an online master's program on June 4th. I'm nervous!

[allibally]

I'm a full-time student. Trying to look for some part-time babysitting work for the summer and school year. So far it's looking a little better.

[BluegirlinOz]

I don't work outside the home. I am officially the full-time carer for my disabled husband.