Fed-up and frustrated

[bright sparks]

I am so sorry to hear this but can totally relate. December 2012 I lost a pair of siblings and just like that BAM...down $1700 a month and it was right before Xmas. It is the nature of the job for sure and probably one of the worst factors of our job. It seems like you have a good plan to take care of your needs by finding work outside of the home while still thinking of your remaining families by setting them up with your DIL. I assume the two families have 1 child each and if that's the case at $35 per child per day, that's less than minimum wage before all of your daycare related expenses so I don't blame you for looking for work outside the home. It just doesn't make any sense to work for that small amount especially if as you said filling your spots will be so difficult. Maybe consider continuing your advertising, and look into anywhere else you may be able to in the meantime while you search for a new job and fingers crossed you find the perfect job or another family comes along to fill the spots. I do miss a consistent and reliable income which this job just doesn't give.