I am 23 years old. I have one son who is 3 and 1/2 years old. I am unemployed.I live with my parents, whom I thank God for every day. My problem is that I desperately want to either go back to school and work and make a life for myself and my son, without living off my parents...though they are amazing people and would do anything for me, they shouldn't have to do everything for me. My son goes to a daycare program everyday from 9 am to noon, which prevents me from working during the daytime, and I can't ask my parents to watch him at night (after they've been working all day). I have looked into benefit programs that give financial and daycare aid in my area, but i don't qualify because I live with my parents. I am at a loss of what I should do to get my life back on track, and it frustrates me to no end. Any suggestions?

I do have some suggestions! I have a 2 1/2 year old and just moved out of my parents house and across the state last summer to go to school. I know what you mean about not wanting to have your parents watch him during the night since they have worked all day, but I'm sure they would be willing to help out a little. My parents watched my son while I worked nights for almost a year, they are a complete godsend!

So my suggestions are...

-make an appointment to talk with an advisor at the campus, figure out what program you want to do and what classes you need to complete
-you should be able to fit in one class while your son is in preschool, then try to fill up the rest of your schedule with online or correspondence classes
-find some other single moms going to school, you can swap childcare and let the little ones play together
-fill out your FAFSA (you should be eligible for some form of aid even if you live with your parents) and check out www.fastweb.com to find scholarships you might be eligible for (there's a lot out there for single moms)

Stay living with your parents until you finish school if possible, I moved because I got into a really good education program, and I really miss having their help...

It's to make those choices but I think if sit down and talk with your parents they will help you figure out a plan.

I live with my parents too, my son is almost 6. They knew that I needed the education so they said that they would help me. When I started school in sept '05 I was working in retail and that meant weekends and odd hours, we made it work and eventually I found the job I'm at now (m-f 9-5) and I'm still going to school finishing up my bachelors two nights a week. It makes for a long day when you get home at 10:30 or 11 at night and have to be in work the next morning but I just telling me that it's worth it for my son.

Being a single mom I am able to get help for his kindergarten (we don't have public). For school I get financial aid, I know I have to pay it all back later but right now the education will benefit me.