Hi I am new here. I am a single mother of two boys ages 10 and soon to be 7. I have been divorced for three years and receive no child support (occasionally when he calls he asks need some money?) But it's mainly his ploy to get me to say "I can'tmake it without your financial support." I work two jobs, one as a casual laborer at a local label manufacturer and the other at a major retail store. Even working those two jobs I can't make ends meet. My parents (God Bless Them!!!!) have paid my rent, utilities and phone bill for the past month. I got paid Thursday, cashed the checks, paid the car payment and had 5$ left over. My son's B-day was Sunday. Thankfully my parents bought my son a present "from" me. But I can't rely on parents to support my family and themselves. I could work one job and get paid much more BUT then I would have to leave my kids and only see them twice a week. Let me tell you.... they as well as I HATEit. What are we parents to do? I get food stamps, I'm not ashamed to admit it. And my kids have medical thanks to our state. But Food Stamps don't put gas in the tank of my car or shoes on my kids feet. I am trying, and I guess thats what counts, even if it doesn't get the job of raising the kids done.
Thanks for letting me vent.

Have you thought about going back to school?

Any way its good to vent, it is better than keeping it in till you blow. But you already knew that.

We're all here, so vent as much as you want.

I know I fully understand. You are luckier than most, you have family resources. Don't forget to send thank you cards.

Things will get better.

Peace
Robin

Hi, I understand where you are coming from. Although, my family is now trying to make me pay for staying here when I've only been back here a few months. And California is the hardest place to get a job. Well, anyway, my son is 14 months, and I would love it if I can do some long distance education, like Allied. But the WIA here is on a freeze, so I have to wait till they can help me to pay for it. Well, I use reward programs online right now, and desperately searching for work. Hopefully, all will be well in the end. It just takes a lot of work, and a lot of thinking! I hope all turns out well for you in the end. But, I'm pretty sure on one thing...I bet your kids love you, and they know you love them. But it never hurts to remind them just how much you love them. Remember the little things in life, in this case, it's the little ones..your children. They matter most, so do what you have to do, for them. Well, I hope it helps to know we're out there. Bye.

-Melissa

hi,

it makes it ruff to work two jobs and only get to pay one or two bills with. i always make the joke to everyone, yeah i love work so i can pay a bill or two. but on the inside it's not a joke. there are nights when a lay awake thinking of how i'm going to stay just ahead of the light company so i don't loose my lights. i'm not trying to depress you i'm just relating to what your going through.

i've worked two jobs to have over $1000.00 a month in income but i also lost out on my son and just time for myself. so i gave up one job and con. with my eduation and worked the part time job. not i've graduated and have a full time job and still have a hard time making ends meet.

like you i am lucky enough to have a mom that can help me out when i really need. but i also feel guilty because she's not the one that had the baby she shouldn't have to go with out i should.

it's a rough road to travel but us single moms are usally tough enough to jump over the road blocks and keeps chugging along with no gas but with enough food because of our food stamps LOL LOL LOL LOL.

good luck to you and i hope that things get eaiser for at some point. i've hit rock bottom and bounced back so much that i know things to get eaiser sometimes. just remember that God is around and watching and will take care of you. and thank him once in awhile for the good things that he does give you and you may be suprise what you get in return little and small. bye SMVT