Single Mom to 2 Young Girls in Financial Disaster, Lost Job & Losing House-ideas

Hi T.,

I'm sorry to hear about all the challenges coming at once. Boy, when it rains it pours.

If you're interested, I'd be happy to help at an extensive level regarding creative nanny options. I'm the founder of GoNannies.com and we work with some pretty complex needs and customers and love thinking outside the box to resolve needs, especially during this economy. The first thing that comes to mind is to BOTH register with our site to find families who will allow you to bring your children to work with you, and ALSO search our site for another family who wants to "share care". Families searching for share-care are obviously comfortable with the nanny watching more than just their child/children, and are usually looking to pay half a nanny's salary by splitting the cost with the other family. So if you, yourself, were the other family to share with, you could still earn somewhere around $1,000+/month, you'd have no childcare costs, you'd still be with your girls, you'd still have your home, and you could still do some online classes for school. You can coordinate with the other family to watch the girls at the other family's home, your home, or alternate.

If you decide to look for a job and/or a share-care family, we'd be happy to help you best communicate your offerings to families. Having an effective profile that communicates what you bring to the table can really help expedite finding a job!

Feel free to give us a call if you'd like more info or would like to brainstorm on other options. Carol or Carmen will usually be the people you'll get when you call, but feel free to ask for me, as well. All of us are very genuine and love sharing our expertise and guidance, especially to other moms. We do it all day and we're really good at it, so know that we'll take good care of you! :-) --M..

I just wanted to let you know that FAFSA can be filled out at anytime. You can fill it out now and start school in January. My sister filled it out late and got reimbursed for the previous semester. I know ou don't want to put your kids in daycare but you can get help paying for daycare while you are in school (through public assistance). If ou are serious about going to school talk to a financial aid advisor....they can be really helpful and talk to you about all your resources.
Good Luck!!!!!

T., I can completely relate to your position. I was married for nearly 20 years, was a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom when I had to leave my husband. Shortly after that he was placed on house arrest, could have no communication with his children, and fired from his job.
I still had 7 kids at home with me and all support stopped the day he was fired. It's been a rough four years.
I understand your fears and desire for a stable income. I have done everything to be able to stay home. I got my real estate license (in the worst economy) I still struggle financially a lot. But...I'm blessed with an understanding landlord who knows that even though I miss a month now and then, I will pay him when I have the money. Our utilities get turned off now and then - we try to see it as an adventure when possible. Of course I go to my room and cry when it happens. I've found that when I worry and fret, it doesn't make things any better. But when I see life as getting better - it always does!
I don't really have any ideas for you - I wish I did. But the most important thing is to not lose heart and to speak a bright future for yourself and your kids. Money - is just money. But when you lose heart, that's when the tough times hit the most.
Also, just a reminder that the way you feel today, is not necessarily the way it is tomorrow. Life is so fluid - and we just never know what answer will appear around the next corner. Expect that the answer will come to you soon. You don't have to have it all figured out. Be open to see what may be the direction you need to take and take the path that leaves you with a feeling of peace.
In the meantime, keep putting out feelers to your friends (and message boards) you never know when something great will show up and be the answer to your prayers.

It will all look better soon!
T. "Ta-Dah Mom" Camp
www.terricamp.com
www.tadahmom.com
www.dfwhomesrealty.com

Hey T.! I know how you feel about staying home with your children and the whole world crashing in. My husband got laid off in December of 08', found a job in February, I got laid off in April, then my husband got laid off again 2 weeks ago!! I have a 21 month old and I wanted to stay home with him from the very beginning but was never able to. When I got laid off, I was determined to find something that I could do from home. I kept looking and looking and everything was just fraud and I was so uneasy about everything. I was ready stories on here and found a girl that works from home being an Internet CEO Mom. If you are interested in hearing more, please go to my website www.4theLoveofMyFamily.com and take a look. It is totally legit, I promise :-) I was skeptical at first but something in the pit of my stomach told me to just go with it and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!

I would love to hear from you and help you through your situation so please check my website out :-)

A. M.

Hi T.,

I just met(today) this nice lady who sold me some party supplies and I just so happened to ask her what she did for a living since she said she made her own schedule and i kinda been looking myself anyhow she restocks lingerie & other things at Target n other stores, she says she can pretty much come n go as she wants.
Website is narms.com they have lots of jobs to choose from like restocking movies, cards, cd's etc;,
I can also help out with babysitting I am a 41yro stay at home wife/mother/g-ma of 7 grandkids I live in Dallas (Kessler Park)
I have my daughter n son inlaw & thr 2kids living with us my grandbaby who is 1 1/2 was diagnosed with cancer last Nov and so my daughter had to quit her job & they had to move in with us

you can call me at ###-###-#### if u need me to help out

God Bless & good luck

L.

T.,
I'd be proud for you to be MY mom!

I was in a situation just like yours many years ago. I only had a can of green beans to feed my 5 year old daughter for dinner one night. She thought it was great! I cried in my room, but she never saw it. I've asked her about that time period in her life now that she is grown and is a mother and she said that she has nothing but happy memories. And pictures of her during that time always show her smiling, laughing and having fun. This may turn out to be the best time of your life!

I have a home-based business and a passion for helping single moms. No products to sell, no inventory and you can start for as low as $50. I help people find affordable health and dental plans through AmeriPlan. No cold-calling or door-to-door. I am an RN, not a salesperson. People contact ME for these services. I'm also a recruiter and trainer for AmeriPlan. If you want to hear an overview of the company, what we do and don't do, how we're paid, etc. CALL MY 24/7 RECORDED INFORMATIONAL CALL AT ###-###-####. It is about 15 minutes long, so give yourself time to listen. You can also go to my website www.HomeMommy.biz and request an interview. The request will come to me and I will call you for the interview and answer any questions you may have. I love AmeriPlan and have been doing it 3 years. It never hurts to check out all your options!
~ N.

fafsa.ed.gov is the site you need to go on. you can get back in school with financial aid. that's where you'd sign up. also, because your children are so young i would try to survive on the student loan side of it. this could help you with little things here and there if you use it wisely. i had to survive once upon a time from student loans because i refused to put my child in childcare. the loans you do pay back when you get out of school. if you have a small amount due on the housing side, then get someone to rent a room. you should look into the background of the individual first. but it sure helps out. good luck to you and the babies.

You didn't say what you were doing before you had kids, so I don't know if it would be easy to get back into that job market or not, but what about working at a day care? Children's Courtyard, or something like that. If you were a nanny, you are probably qualified and then you could be at the same place as your girls. If you don't need to make a ton of money, that might work. Once there, you might be able to work something out with the director where the kids could attend and you could go to classes while they are there and then work the rest of the time. Classes are usually 1/2 day, right? I'm sure you'll figure something out, but you do need to do something NOW so you don't lose your house or anything else!

Hi T.,

I recommend finding a church home. If you join a church and let them know of your situation there will be people who will probably help you in many ways.

Also, have you contacted places like "Helping Hands" in Rockwall, Texas? If you are not familiar with Helping Hands give them a call and they will probably be able to refer you to a place near your home that might be able to help you.

I hope this information helps you!

Hi T.,

Hang in there! Sounds like you have a lot going on, but you'll make it through. If you've been a nanny for so long, have you thought about doing in home daycare? I know with the raising costs of daycares (i have on one the way and another in there already) its def hard to find cheaper care that is still very good! Just an idea... and you would be home with your girls!

Tarrant County College has a daycare on site at the North East Campus. You could talk to the Financial Aid department to see if aid is available.

Maybe you could advertise to get another Nanny position. It would be nice if you could find someone to work for that had Mother in Law quarters that you could live in.

Do you have any family or friends that would be willing to help you out with childcare while you work? You may need to put off school until your girls are in Kindergarten.

Finding a Bible church would be a good place for you to recieve a circle of support. Not all churches are the same...if one church leaves a bad taste...try another. There are some wonderful Bible churches around the Metroplex!

Prayerfully,
K.

There are grants that are available - try talking with an admissions person at the school you would like to attend. Try every available option locally to help you. The Family Place might be able to help - your church might be able to help as well.

I wish you the best. Good luck!

Hi T.,

My heart goes out to you. I wouldn't worry about being someone your girls can look up to. Anyone who goes to the extent you already have to support your girls is someone they can look up to you. You are determined and you will get through this.

Have you looked into being a daycare or preschool teacher? With your nanny experience it would be a good option for you and I know one day care, Sunshine House in Little Elm will let your kids go for free if you are a teacher. They also seem very flexible with the teachers so maybe you can work something out for you to go to school. Can you also apply for unemployment or some sort of government subsidy until you get on your feet? I would focus on finding a flexible job first and worry about school second. There are lots of school scholarships out there for moms returning to the work force so hopefully something will work out for you.

You are certainly not alone. I am a single mother of a 4 year old and it can be tough. I am thankful every day for my job and just hope it continues. Hang in there!

Hi T., I am a stay home mom, left a well paying job at Baylor University Medical Center 7 years ago to raise my daughter and have been woring from home since. I have a home business that is product driven that helps people with health issues with out any side effects. I work 15 to 20 hours a week from home and earn on an average $6,500.00 a month. Most of all it does not take that much to get started, anyone one can do it. Let me know if you are open to it and I will share more details.

There is a way to financial freedom.

Blessings!

Denton Bible's Career Transition Ministry offers practical information, job search skills, networking opportunities, and Christ-centered encouragement. The weekly meetings take place on Wednesdays from 6:45 - 8:45pm with a first-timers orientation from 6 - 6:45 in Learning Center 2, room 100. The meetings are open to the community and there is no charge. To register, e-mail ____@____.com.

If you live close to Quinlan I can watch your girls free of charge. we have a almost 4 yr.old that needs playmates. we moved here from Irving and we have'nt meet anyone yet. We are a SAFE family and love children. we have a big yard and not far from the state park, which we go to every week for a picnic and play time. We also go to Hawaiin Falls during the summer to have fun and to cool off. Just email me @ ____@____.com if you need help with a sitter. oh we know first aid and C.P.R.

I know this is kind of just throwing this out there, but have you ever thought of becoming a Mary Kay consultant. It is easy, doesn't take a lot of time (1hr - 2 1/2 hours), and you can take home 50% of your sales. If you have any questions you can email me at ____@____.com.

S.

There is a Nanny service as long as you have CPR and the training of Orientation and background checks and First Aid. They much pay well as I called one and they wanted so much for so many children and $15 an hour after one or two children. Also Sitter City has a ton of people wanting Nanny's Good Luck G..

Hi T.,

Thankfully, I've never been in your situation. But my Mother was. She was a single mom (with no support) to my brother and I when we were pre-school age. I have to tell you though that I don't really remember anything but always being very happy. My Mom was always singing and smiling and thinking of fun "cheap" things for us to do like building a tent in the house or hanging a rope swing outside. I'm sure she went to her room and cried alot, but we didn't know it. I guess what I'm saying is that even though it's really awful right now, keep loving,playing with and laughing with your children. Their sweet little faces will help you get through this. I really like the suggestion that someone else had of going to school online. Mary Kay or something like that would be good too. You might also check into working at a day care just for the after school program. That way you could be free during the day to attend school and maybe sell Mary Kay or whatever along with that. I also have a friend who cleans houses and does very well at it. Plus she pretty much makes her own schedule, so that could work around school as well. Good luck! and God Bless you and your kids.

All is not hopeless! In fact, your situation is not as desperate as it feels right now. Your mortgage is low, your bills are low, you have skills. You have friends! Go to school by taking online classes, stay with your girls. Get a job doing things that they can come to or when friends can watch them (just until you finish school and get a serious job) for instance something in the entertainment area--tell stories at the library, twist balloons at restraunts, paint faces at birthday parties with real face paints not acrylic, give manicures or even host ladies nights out where you help other ladies get pampered and have a good time or you watch their kids while they go out, open a daycare yourself.

Above all, connect with a church with a benevolence ministry--email me if you can't find one yourself--God's people will help you take care of yourself!

Just breathe! You'll make it!
~A.

T.,

where do you live? What city? Can you get any kind of childcare during the day? I have my thinking cap on.

L. B.
www.GetOrganized.ws

Hi T....I am so sorry to hear all that. It is really rough trying to balance everything yourself. Here are a couple things that may help...grants and loans for school will help a lot. My husband gets around $6000 in loans and grants each semester.

He is also in the state gaurd which will pay for his bachelors degree after he has been in the gaurd for a year. Check into it-there are no contracts so you can get out anytime (but you have to be in in order for them to pay for school), you go to drill one saturday a month and do two 3 day weekends a year. My husband loves it and I will probably join later so they will pay for my masters. If you want more info, message me and I can find out more from my husband.

Join a MOMS Club. Some have babysitting co-ops or if they don't then you can initiate one. This will help with some babysitting while you work a little while.

Last, are you on WIC or have you been on WIC? Did you breastfeed your children? If so, WIC hires people called breastfeeding peer counselors that help moms with breastfeeding and or pumping. They train you and provide you with everything. I'm not sure what your county would pay but Denton County pays $12/ hr. Bonus...if you are still bf your youngest then she can go to work with you,

Please message if you have any questions!

You could try to apply for finacial aid and hopefully with you and your ex not working they will pay for you to return to school. You might also get enough money to live on for few months. I know that UTA had a daycare they used which was really cheap for students. Other than that you might try getting another job as a nanny and go to school online. I am really sorry to hear about your situation and I will pray for you and your family.

Hi T.,
Im sorry for all the things your family is going through. But for starters, look on the internet for examples of resumes, if you apply to places make sure to always followup and see about the position. Don't just wait for the phone to ring. Aim at making your resume no more than 2 pages long. Depending on what you are going to school for you can find someone to finance it. For instance, I have 2 friends that just graduated from nursing school, paid in full! Lastly, there is always direct sales. Since you have been a mom, nanny, etc, then you are a great candidate because you know many people, and those people know people. Which means great sales for you and referrals, and you don't need sales experience to do this. Any questions feel free to email me. Best of luck girl!

T.,
Sounds like you are going through so much. I highly recommend checking out this website and ministry... it's called Moneywise. They have helped my family (and many of my friends) handle our financial situations much better than if we did it all on our own. They give sound biblical advice that is helpful despite if you believe in God or not. http://www.watermark.org/ministries/care/moneywise-ministry/

I live in Keller and our paper, the Keller Citizen always has nanny jobs in it...

http://www.kellercitizen.com/home/

you might check with them and get a copy of their paper, I think it comes out on Tuesdays, I'll watch for it also and try to send you the postings if there are any this week.

Also check into WIC, Women Infants and Children, they have a lot of programs that may help you and your children out, they help with medical care too, i believe. I used them when I was out of work during my pregnancies and post pardum, they were great support, not sure how it works with food stamps but I'm sure if you ask they can tell you.

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/

many churches will give support to those in need, if you don't go to church consider finding one.

Opps! I had a misspelled word and corrected it.

I am sorry to hear of your trials. Just know that they are just that..Trials. Medco,com is hiring and maybe you can check the accounting temp agencies. You might even try Gieco. Their pay is usually decent. (I think). I was in a similar situation with the finances and took a job at Walmart at night, the one thing I never would have wanted to do because I hated Walmart. Now that I work in one I know what it was I hated about Walmart, but thats another story. Take care and everything will be okay. Some once told me..."just breathe, it won't last long". Hoping you all the best fast.

A.

If you're not already, check into the various frugal blogs on the Internet. They will give you loads of information on how to save money on groceries, personal care items, etc. This will help you stretch whatever paycheck you end up with. Check out my blog - http://cravingthesavings.com/ and go to "Favorite Resources" where I list several of the blogs and other money-saving sites. I need to update the list, which I will do sometime this week. I've cut way back on my expenses since getting into using coupons. I wish you well with whatever direction you take!

Hi T.,
I am knew to this site. I have a 6year old daughter who will be in 1st grade. Her father sees her every Thursday and every other weekend. I lost my job also. What I did was apply to community college to get my associates degree. My dream is to become a teacher so I will need more schooling of course. But all we have is time.. Anyway enough about me. I support myself with my grant I receive from school and a student loan. My rent is $700 plus utilities and I am actually surviving. I pay my rent up for 6 months to last me for the next semester and I am doing it again this sememster. I have also heard that the dallas colleges you can receive aid for daycare as well. Farmers Branch college has their own daycare. Hope that helps. Oh and also Hilton.com hires reservation agents who work from home. You just need your own computer. You must be able to train though for 6 weeks. It is paid training. Not much money but if your mortgage is low it will help with your bills. Also try food stamps for food. Its hard applying but it will lift a lot of stress from your back. Hope I helped.

Hi T.,
You can go back to school. When my daughter was 18 months old I found myself in a similar situation. No help from the father, I was living with my mother, no money. I really wanted to make a better life for my daughter and I. I walked right into TWU and went to the financial aid office and asked what I needed to do to get financial aid and go to school there and they walked me through all the steps and gave me all the paperwork I had to fill out. Then my daughter and I moved to Denton, got an apartment and I went to college and she went to daycare. I got help through CCS to pay for daycare, and we were on food stamps for a time, and didn't have any extras during that time, but it was ok. I also got some money to live on through student loans and worked part time. I know you are in Arlington, so just decide what school you want to go to and go to the financial aid office and ask for all the paperwork you might need. Good luck.

I didn't read all the responses so I'm not sure if anyone said this or not, but my very good friend is a Director with BeautiControl consultant doing spas with women in their home. She earns a fabulous income and became Director after only 8 months of being with the business. I have seen some really great things come from this business. If you'd like to know more then send me a message.

I will keep you in my prayers, I can definitely understand feeling like the world is crashing in on you. Stay positive. It's hard to do but we just have to try. :)

Hi T.,

I am married and have my husband's income, but we needed additional income to pay for everything. I want to be home with my kids, so I was looking for at home businesses that really work and that I can make money at. I have found two businesses. One I am making around and many times over 1,000 dollars a month...the other I am just starting out with. I made sure they were easy, low investment, ground floor, reptuable companies. I can only give you my website of the first company as I am just beginning with the second and have to finish up the paperwork. Please message me if you would like the name of the second company as well. You can start it by earning your supplies...so it is possible to get it with no money out of pocket.

I wish I had great, uplifting advice for you...but, in my world, I somewhat know what you feel and all I can do it work these jobs...but the good news is...I make a good amount of money and I get to be with my kids. :)

Let me know if I can help.

Here is one of the websites:

www.scentsy.com/awesomearomas

contact me for the other....good luck!!!

Hi there! I know you've already gotten some responses and I read your update. Since you did the Mary Kay thing but feel like you ran out of people, I would suggest Homemade Gourmet. Kathy Cousins is an amazing trainer who has completely supported her family with her HG earnings, since her husband was out of work for a while... and while I love MK, food needs to be replenished much more often, and helping make dinner time less stressful is something everyone needs right now! Check out Kathy's website at www.homemadegourmet.com/Kathy3080 - her phone number is on the first page of the site - and tell her K. sent you!

T.,

I'm so sorry! I can only imagine being in your shoes! But what I can say is that it is very easy to get back into school! Just figure out what school is right for you and get started. I know that DBU has almost every class online, which works GREAT when you have a family and you have to work. It is expensive, but well worth it! Best of luck! I will be praying for you to find the perfect person to keep your girls. I don't know what I would do if I had to find someone to keep my girls.

God Bless!

T. J

I'm so sorry you have to go through all this and be a single mom at the same time. I can't even imagine it. But I wanted to let you know how I work from home, buy better everyday products that are safer for my kids. I work with Internet CEO Moms. We try to help moms just like you work from home. Visit me at www.greenonyourside.com or email me at ____@____.com and I would love to share this opportunity with you!

As to your wish to attend school. Obama has put some kind of program into effect specifically for mothers who want to go to school. You need to see if you can get information about that. Tho I think it is to help with the tuition.

This link will give you a little information:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Obama-Wants-Mothers-to-Go-Back-...