Hello everyone.
I just sort of stumbled across this page. I thought I created one already, but it seems I messed up somewhere. The reason I'm here seems to be a not so common problem.
I'm a single mom of two boys, ages 10 and 11. About a year ago there was an issue with abuse from their father, where CPS stepped in, and I was not aware this was going on while he had them on visitation. After I found out of course, I took them far away.
Anyhow, with that said, these last 6 months or so have been horribly difficult. My youngest started showing extreme signs of depression and even near the point of self injury. It caused problems at my job, and I had to leave so often to help them with him at school, that I lost my job. The last few months have been about the same. Odd jobs here and there, lost within a few days because I had to take off for therapy for my boys, or got called into the school.
I know alot of people assume they misbehave, but this is not the case, my children are very well behaved, but my baby, mostly is struggling with anxiety attacks at school, depressing break downs, and it seems so far, I'm the only one who can bring him out of that.
My older son is a soldier, he's trying so hard to be strong, but it's not his job, and lately he's been crying alot. There is so much on their little shoulders, that I am trying everything to fix. I finally found someone who could give them therapy without cost, and that started last week.
But right now. I'm still struggling. No jobs around here are understanding of what I have to do for my children right now. My bills are behind, my car was repossessed, and I'm at my wit's end. I just don't know what to do. For years I was a single mom, handled business, took care of my family. But now with this crisis I'm faced with two very difficult situations. The need to tend to my children fully, help them get well, and give them a healthy life. With the need to work, and pay bills, and handle what needs done.
I'm just drowning here. I can't dismiss my children and what they are going through. Yet I need to support them. There's just no help for people in this situation. Everyone is saying get a job and they'll help. But my babies need their mother. and I refuse to tell the school to just 'deal with my kids' until I get off. I won't dismiss my babies like that.
Please, if anyone knows of any resources to help me through this hard time. Anything such as working from home, or something I can do online to help make some money, while leaving my hours open for emergencies to tend to with my kids. Anything, anything at all. I'm not looking for a handout, just a hand up. I can't pay my bills, feed my kids, have no car. What do I do? Where do I go?
Please let me know.
Thank you.