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I tried several times when my three children were young to have a job outside the home. It just never worked. It broke my heart to leave my child with a caregiver, especially since my oldest son did not let me leave without crying and holding onto my leg. It did no good for the sitter to tell me that as soon as I left her home he stopped crying. It was tearing me apart to leave him everyday.

My first choice was to do home daycare, on a very limited basis. Since I had my own three children I only cared for one other child at a time. This worked quite well for several years but frankly it just wasn't giving me what I needed most, contact with other adults.

I attended a jewelry party that one of my friends was having in her home and the demonstrator was so convincing that before I knew it I was agreeing to be a consultant. What drew me to this business was that there was no start up cost for me. The basic kit was mine to use. I didn't have to buy it and as I did more sales I would earn pieces to add to my kit.

Before I go any further I need to say that I was very shy and I really didn't even realize that this was going to mean I would have to stand up in front of people and talk about this jewelry and try to sell it. I got my kit, got my training, talked my mother and a few friends into having parties for me and that was just the beginning. I sold jewelry for three years, hired over 20 people, won 6 or seven trips and lots of awards and best of all came out of my shell. My husband still swears over 30 years later that this was the best thing I ever did for myself.

This sort of job may not be for everyone but anyone can do it. It requires no particular level of education, at the time I did this I had only done a few college courses. You can set your own schedule, if you want to work only one night a week you book only one party. Most of the plans have a pyramid set up so that if like me you hire other people you make money from their sales as well as your own. You determine how far you want to go.

The company I worked for is long gone but there are others out there that can offer that same incentives. Choose something that you love is the secret. You have to be passionate about your product. You also have to enjoy using it. If you love cooking in our area Pampered Chef is a popular home show. There are still plenty of party plans out there, find the one that will not only give you an income but will give you a feeling of great success. It is also very family friendly since most parties are held in the evenings when husbands are home to baby-sit. Best of all you get to interact with other adults something stay at home Mom really need.

Eventually I went to work outside the home but not until my youngest was six years old and I have never regretted giving those first ten years to my children.

Learn more about this author, Belle Starr.
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