I need help fast...

C

crystalina0814

New member
I am at my witts end and need advice/direction/help.

I have had one of the worst CF years of my life. I have been on IVs both in and out of the hospital countless times. Because of this, I cannot work currently. My side photo business is practically non-existant at this point and I cannot work outside of the home. I have two little ones who need constant supervision. All of my family resources for child-care have been exhausted and I really need help.

Without working, I simply cannot afford child care in any form. My husband makes above the poverty line, so I cannot get govt. assistance that I am aware of (SSI, etc) The problem is, subtract ALL of my medical expenses and we do live paycheck to paycheck....and then some.

I am currently in the waiting process for Social Security benefits, applied last February. I know that there is a VERY good chance that I will be approved, but I need help now. I cannot wait another year to get help. Some days I feel great and can care for my kids as normal, others...I am so drained and sick that I need someone to watch them. It sadly seems that there are a lot more of those days lately and I am beside myself.

How do you do it? How do you make ends meet when you simply cannot work anymore? Paying over $150 a week for childcare right now is just not feasable.
 
C

crystalina0814

New member
I am at my witts end and need advice/direction/help.

I have had one of the worst CF years of my life. I have been on IVs both in and out of the hospital countless times. Because of this, I cannot work currently. My side photo business is practically non-existant at this point and I cannot work outside of the home. I have two little ones who need constant supervision. All of my family resources for child-care have been exhausted and I really need help.

Without working, I simply cannot afford child care in any form. My husband makes above the poverty line, so I cannot get govt. assistance that I am aware of (SSI, etc) The problem is, subtract ALL of my medical expenses and we do live paycheck to paycheck....and then some.

I am currently in the waiting process for Social Security benefits, applied last February. I know that there is a VERY good chance that I will be approved, but I need help now. I cannot wait another year to get help. Some days I feel great and can care for my kids as normal, others...I am so drained and sick that I need someone to watch them. It sadly seems that there are a lot more of those days lately and I am beside myself.

How do you do it? How do you make ends meet when you simply cannot work anymore? Paying over $150 a week for childcare right now is just not feasable.
 
C

crystalina0814

New member
I am at my witts end and need advice/direction/help.
<br />
<br />I have had one of the worst CF years of my life. I have been on IVs both in and out of the hospital countless times. Because of this, I cannot work currently. My side photo business is practically non-existant at this point and I cannot work outside of the home. I have two little ones who need constant supervision. All of my family resources for child-care have been exhausted and I really need help.
<br />
<br />Without working, I simply cannot afford child care in any form. My husband makes above the poverty line, so I cannot get govt. assistance that I am aware of (SSI, etc) The problem is, subtract ALL of my medical expenses and we do live paycheck to paycheck....and then some.
<br />
<br />I am currently in the waiting process for Social Security benefits, applied last February. I know that there is a VERY good chance that I will be approved, but I need help now. I cannot wait another year to get help. Some days I feel great and can care for my kids as normal, others...I am so drained and sick that I need someone to watch them. It sadly seems that there are a lot more of those days lately and I am beside myself.
<br />
<br />How do you do it? How do you make ends meet when you simply cannot work anymore? Paying over $150 a week for childcare right now is just not feasable.
 
J

jennylivingston

Guest
I'm not sure if this is an option for you, but after I had Morgan, I was in a similar situation--where having a job was vital for our financial survival, but daycare expenses threatened to eat up my entire paycheck--so I started looking for a babysitter, not a daycare.

I do pay the babysitter, but I pay her considerably less than what I would have to pay a daycare. Also, there are fewer children at the babysitters (just her own children and Morgan) so I know Morgan is being cared for and not looked over because there are so many other kids. Along those lines, fewer children means fewer germs being passed around and brought home to mama!

Perhaps there is someone you know and trust (a friend, someone you go to church with, etc.) who would be willing to watch your kids for a smaller fee than daycare, even if it's just part time, so you can work on your photography or something else.

Just a suggestion. I know it's a difficult position to be in.
 
J

jennylivingston

Guest
I'm not sure if this is an option for you, but after I had Morgan, I was in a similar situation--where having a job was vital for our financial survival, but daycare expenses threatened to eat up my entire paycheck--so I started looking for a babysitter, not a daycare.

I do pay the babysitter, but I pay her considerably less than what I would have to pay a daycare. Also, there are fewer children at the babysitters (just her own children and Morgan) so I know Morgan is being cared for and not looked over because there are so many other kids. Along those lines, fewer children means fewer germs being passed around and brought home to mama!

Perhaps there is someone you know and trust (a friend, someone you go to church with, etc.) who would be willing to watch your kids for a smaller fee than daycare, even if it's just part time, so you can work on your photography or something else.

Just a suggestion. I know it's a difficult position to be in.
 
J

jennylivingston

Guest
I'm not sure if this is an option for you, but after I had Morgan, I was in a similar situation--where having a job was vital for our financial survival, but daycare expenses threatened to eat up my entire paycheck--so I started looking for a babysitter, not a daycare.
<br />
<br />I do pay the babysitter, but I pay her considerably less than what I would have to pay a daycare. Also, there are fewer children at the babysitters (just her own children and Morgan) so I know Morgan is being cared for and not looked over because there are so many other kids. Along those lines, fewer children means fewer germs being passed around and brought home to mama!
<br />
<br />Perhaps there is someone you know and trust (a friend, someone you go to church with, etc.) who would be willing to watch your kids for a smaller fee than daycare, even if it's just part time, so you can work on your photography or something else.
<br />
<br />Just a suggestion. I know it's a difficult position to be in.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Christina --

I just went to your blog to see your photog business stuff (beautiful photos by the way) and low and behold realized that you live in my area.

I'd love to find some way to help out. Do you think you could work part time at the photography business if you had a sitter come to your home a few hours a week? I have a great sitter that comes to my house part time. I don't have to pay the kind of day care prices so that I can work out of the house (I'm a professor at UAkron). My sitter might know someone local, or I can ask around to some of my students as well -- could even put an ad up on campus for you. You might be able to get a day nanny 2 or 3 days a week with a college student. You could then take care of yourself and/or focus on building your career.

Please PM me if you think I can help as a resource.

Heather
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Christina --

I just went to your blog to see your photog business stuff (beautiful photos by the way) and low and behold realized that you live in my area.

I'd love to find some way to help out. Do you think you could work part time at the photography business if you had a sitter come to your home a few hours a week? I have a great sitter that comes to my house part time. I don't have to pay the kind of day care prices so that I can work out of the house (I'm a professor at UAkron). My sitter might know someone local, or I can ask around to some of my students as well -- could even put an ad up on campus for you. You might be able to get a day nanny 2 or 3 days a week with a college student. You could then take care of yourself and/or focus on building your career.

Please PM me if you think I can help as a resource.

Heather
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Christina --
<br />
<br />I just went to your blog to see your photog business stuff (beautiful photos by the way) and low and behold realized that you live in my area.
<br />
<br />I'd love to find some way to help out. Do you think you could work part time at the photography business if you had a sitter come to your home a few hours a week? I have a great sitter that comes to my house part time. I don't have to pay the kind of day care prices so that I can work out of the house (I'm a professor at UAkron). My sitter might know someone local, or I can ask around to some of my students as well -- could even put an ad up on campus for you. You might be able to get a day nanny 2 or 3 days a week with a college student. You could then take care of yourself and/or focus on building your career.
<br />
<br />Please PM me if you think I can help as a resource.
<br />
<br />Heather
 
I

izemmom

New member
Awwww, Heather, your post made me get all teary! What a wonderful offer of help! You are the best.

Christina, I hope something works out for you. Juggling everything and maintaining your health must be a real challenge. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
 
I

izemmom

New member
Awwww, Heather, your post made me get all teary! What a wonderful offer of help! You are the best.

Christina, I hope something works out for you. Juggling everything and maintaining your health must be a real challenge. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
 
I

izemmom

New member
Awwww, Heather, your post made me get all teary! What a wonderful offer of help! You are the best.
<br />
<br />Christina, I hope something works out for you. Juggling everything and maintaining your health must be a real challenge. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
 
L

LouLou

New member
Are you part of a playgroup or SAHM network? It's really no slack for most well mom's to take another family's children once a week for a few hours. Do you have a dear friend in the group you could speak with about your situation? Then she could put out an email sign up request to sign up for a day to help you. This would get you immediate help and give you time to figure out a longer term plan starting in the Fall.

Remember people want to help. We feel like a burden but in actuality it is through times like this that the closest friendships are born. Don't be afraid to ask. Your need is justified.
 
L

LouLou

New member
Are you part of a playgroup or SAHM network? It's really no slack for most well mom's to take another family's children once a week for a few hours. Do you have a dear friend in the group you could speak with about your situation? Then she could put out an email sign up request to sign up for a day to help you. This would get you immediate help and give you time to figure out a longer term plan starting in the Fall.

Remember people want to help. We feel like a burden but in actuality it is through times like this that the closest friendships are born. Don't be afraid to ask. Your need is justified.
 
L

LouLou

New member
Are you part of a playgroup or SAHM network? It's really no slack for most well mom's to take another family's children once a week for a few hours. Do you have a dear friend in the group you could speak with about your situation? Then she could put out an email sign up request to sign up for a day to help you. This would get you immediate help and give you time to figure out a longer term plan starting in the Fall.
<br />
<br />Remember people want to help. We feel like a burden but in actuality it is through times like this that the closest friendships are born. Don't be afraid to ask. Your need is justified.
 
Z

zoe4life

New member
Just wanted to say to Heather....you are awesome! Thanks for showing people what it is like to be a friend......

I will hope and pray everything works out.....

Take care,
 
Z

zoe4life

New member
Just wanted to say to Heather....you are awesome! Thanks for showing people what it is like to be a friend......

I will hope and pray everything works out.....

Take care,
 
Z

zoe4life

New member
Just wanted to say to Heather....you are awesome! Thanks for showing people what it is like to be a friend......
<br />
<br />I will hope and pray everything works out.....
<br />
<br />Take care,
 
M

mamaScarlett

Active member
like Lauren said,
playgroup, or mom swap. i know you said you're tired (definitely been there)-but if you could commit to a day a week (or afternoon)-of taking another moms kid, then you could switch.
when i'm desperate, i literally exhaust my family resources. that means i do for them what i can when i'm well. but USE as much family/close family friends AS POSSIBLE. that is what they are for.
tell them (and yourself) it is a temporary situation until you get back on your feet and feel better.
gather your closest family and friends. pick say 2-3 people. tell them flat out-you are desperate. you need some help for a bit until you get on your feet again. you're worried you will be seriously ill soon if you don't get help. you need to make out a reasonable schedule of help.
what ways can you get safe childcare without heavy costs? cut out as much as possible.
another option may be to offer services other than money to moms/close friends willing to help. you drive their kids weekly somewhere, make dinner 2x a week, do their laundry/ironing...etc in exchange for a few hours each week of childcare.
this will tell people how serious you are about making this work. you aren't it in for a free ride or to have time for a pedicure. people respect moms that will do whatever it takes to care for their family-and you are doing that. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
above all remember: this WILL pass! you'll feel better, and they'll get older and easier to manage. you CAN do it.
 
M

mamaScarlett

Active member
like Lauren said,
playgroup, or mom swap. i know you said you're tired (definitely been there)-but if you could commit to a day a week (or afternoon)-of taking another moms kid, then you could switch.
when i'm desperate, i literally exhaust my family resources. that means i do for them what i can when i'm well. but USE as much family/close family friends AS POSSIBLE. that is what they are for.
tell them (and yourself) it is a temporary situation until you get back on your feet and feel better.
gather your closest family and friends. pick say 2-3 people. tell them flat out-you are desperate. you need some help for a bit until you get on your feet again. you're worried you will be seriously ill soon if you don't get help. you need to make out a reasonable schedule of help.
what ways can you get safe childcare without heavy costs? cut out as much as possible.
another option may be to offer services other than money to moms/close friends willing to help. you drive their kids weekly somewhere, make dinner 2x a week, do their laundry/ironing...etc in exchange for a few hours each week of childcare.
this will tell people how serious you are about making this work. you aren't it in for a free ride or to have time for a pedicure. people respect moms that will do whatever it takes to care for their family-and you are doing that. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
above all remember: this WILL pass! you'll feel better, and they'll get older and easier to manage. you CAN do it.
 
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