Hats off to you! You sound like you are doing an awesome job! I know at times it can be discouraging but I'm sure an idea will come and present itself. Be encouraged-God will see you through.
As a mother of 4, who has also homeschooled my children for a time and been in the same situation, I understand what it feels like to be doing all you can do with what sometimes seems like little results.
But like some of the other posters have said-your children are important to you and you are doing all you can. You are a supportive mother and wife and are being a wonderful role model for your children. The values that you are instilling in them are priceless. A few things that may interest you that you could make money and are fun to do are knitting and making jewelry. A lot of times when I had very little money I would buy inexpensive but beautiful yarn and make scarves (in the winter). And I even sold some! My mother told me I should sell them on ebay or get a website and sell them. Another inexpensive thing I did that people really loved-was making jewelry. It's not that much to get started (maybe $10.00 in supplies). I looked up free articles on line and went to walmart and purchased beads for under $5.00. Once again people started commenting on how pretty my necklaces and earrings were and wanted me to make some for them.
If you purchased supplies for about $10.00 for ear rings and sold just 2 pair at $5.00 to your home school exchange/co op - you would make your money back. If you sold 3 or 4 pair you could turn a profit. Once people know you do that-they will search you out and say "I like what you made-can you make me something too?" And you could make matching bracelets and sell the set for $15.00
You could print up/make coupons for your first customers or give them discounts for telling other people who purchase from you. I also discovered a site called www.sell.com where you could list for $1.00 for 30 days.
Well, I hope that helps. I feel like God wanted me to really tell you about the jewelry idea. Plus it's fun and you could teach others how to do it too.
I am in the same boat as you. I have thick naturally curly/wavy hair and I try to do/use different things on different days. On days I want to control/tame my hair but keep curly I use Garnier Fructis Leave In Conditioning Cream (curl and shine) with a dab of Garnier Fructis brilliantine shine cream gel. I love both of these products because they give me great curl definition along with great shine. On days that I want to flat iron my hair I use Pantene products. I use a leave in combing creme that makes my hair straight.
For washing and conditioning (for moisture) I start with a moisturizing shampoo (Nexxus Humectress or Suaves Brand like Humectress, or Herbal Essence Hello Hydration then I condition with Pantenes Pro V deep fortifying condition. Once out of the shower I put on Loreal's glosser (smooth intense anti frizz serum)
then After washing, conditioning and glossing I decide which way I'm going to wear my hair. If straight, then I use the sbove products for keeping it straight, if curly vice versa.
Also Aussie Mousse plus leave in conditioner is very nice to use if all of the above cause your hair to be to weighed down. But I always always use a glosser along with a hydrating (or moisturizing) shampoo and conditioner.
Another awesome product you can try is the new Frederic Fekkai Fabulous Hair coming to Bath and Body works July 9th. I just got a free sample last night and was amazed by how great and shiny my hair felt right after trying it! Go and get the free sample from them and enjoy.
Also for great styles, use clips, headbands and bobby pins for nice updo's.
