Here's a different take on things!

Margaret, so excited that you guys will be settling into a more relaxed mode soon!

I am certainly not an expert in this area (Amazon), but my impression is that there isn't much you can do to encourage amazon affiliates to become smitten with your products. They are going to sell to their niche, and you are going to either be "in" it, or not.

My son is selling product on amazon, but I am not sure (don't think) that he is seeing any sales from affiliates. He is using some kind of amazon marketing (forgive me if I mis-state it, but is sounds almost like a google-like ad format ...). Maybe this (as vague as my description is) is something you might want to take a look at.

Otherwise, I would suggest putting google to good use, and find marketers who are in your niche. Contact them and suggest/hint that they may want to begin marketing your amazon-available products (especially if they are already working the amazon affiliate program).

Just my two cents worth, which is probably two cents more than it is worth!!

Good luck to you as you move into this next phase!!