Job ideas for a mom with 4 kids and only a high school education?

I want to leave my husband. I've been a stay at home mom to 5 kids for 20 years which was something we both agreed on. I need to get a job immediately, but I only have a high school education. Because of my circumstances, I don't have time to sign up for college classes....I have to work NOW. Skills? No. I'm healthy, though. Sounds like a fatal dose of reality, doesn't it?! Do any of you have any ideas for some good paying jobs?

You have gotten a lot of good answers, most of which I would have said. House keeping in a nursing home or motel is your key place to work at. Also you could work at the local school doing the same thing or what ever they have to offer (working in the kitchen). If you pick working at a school..at least you would have all afternoon as most get out of school around 3 or so. You didn't say as to whether any of the kids were still at home or not...if so that would be the ideal place to work at. Best part of all is working at the school, you get summers off with pay. Bad part is you only get paid once a month with them. So that would mean that you would have to learn to manage your money. Working at the nursing home as a house keeper is paid once every 2 weeks, days only...at least around here it is days only. You might also check in a place that sells mobile homes...as someone has to clean those homes for them to show. I mean they sure don't clean their self. Good luck in what every you decide to do. Been there done that!!!

go to a temp agency...I am assuming you can type right (I am being serious)...start as a temp and sometimes you can go from temp-to-perm...goodluck
Well if you don't mind hard work then housekeeping in a major hotels are good they start out now at $7.00 an hour if that would fit your budget and lifestyle. or get into childcare or nursing home aids.don't know what they pay. good luck.
In the short term you could sign up for temporary agencies, some sort of daycare program (since you have 20 years of experience with children), or maybe even an aid in the classroom. Long term...dental hygiene might be the ticket. 2-4 year program and you can make a pretty good salary.
Childcare. you already have one of the most important job requirement: being a mom. Many childcare centers allow you to work with them, but you'd need to take a course with in 6 months of your employment. Have you ever thought about watching children at home? That may be another option.
With just a highschool diploma you're not going to get a "good paying job" unless you go into waitressing and then the pay is basically state minimum wage plus tips. If you're an outstanding waitress you can make almost 10 times in tips your regular wage though. Most other jobs you can get are in the fast food category and retail which is again, minimum wage and hired only on a part time basis. In order to get more than mininmum wage these days you need either at least 10 years of expierence in the field you are after or a minimum of a two year degree. Where I live even McDonald's has been requiring a two year degree to say "would you like fries with that?" I suggest you GO to your local unemployment office and see what sort of training oppritunities/skills you can get there or see what they can help you get.
wow, first off, i'm sorry for your situation. just to let u know, it will be hard to find a good paying job w/ just a high school diploma, but there are some out there. depending on where u live, u can visit the state workforce center (they'll help u find available job positions based on experience and education). ur probably going to have to take on 2 jobs to support yourself and ur family, even w/ child support. try to take some evening classes or maybe ur state offers what we have here in texas, a careers institute, which is like a school but specifically gives u classes so u can go into a certain career, i.e. medical assistant, pharmacy technician, etc. good luck to you and ur family.