Single mom laid off from job and cant afford xmas presents?

Question

HI, I am a single mom of 2 little boys and was just laid off from my job, i was not thier long enough so can not collect unemployment. I go for days without eating so I can feed my children but am really worried about christmas this year, Im so afraid my kids will wake up in the morning to find nothing under the tree. I have gone to echo ect, and they say thier isnt much they can do on such little notice and the churchs i have gone too usually just send me to echo or snub me cuz im not a member. I really dont know where to turn my heart is just breaking and it brings me to tears almost every day.

Answer 1

Here are some things to do:
- Go to your community services office and sign up for assistance and food stamps.
- Go to your community MHMR office (Mental Health/Mental Retardation) and ask for a caseworker to be assigned to help you through the various other services and to qualify you for counseling
- Go to the Red Cross and sign up for emergency food, and for gifts for your children for X-Mass.

Answer 2

I didn't want to answer that question b/c I've felt that pain before.This may be the perfect time to teach them one gift is all that's needed b/c with t.v. and all the hype kids feel they should have it all .The funny thing is if we could we would give them all they wanted knowing that's not the thing to teach them,but we would anyway.If they are small then make a game of making presents,kids like what ever their mom likes at that age and if nothing else comes through for you at least they will enjoy the gifts they made and they can help you cook some thing,no matter what it is,you will be surprised how much just doing those things with them will create good memories.If they miss the toys this year,they will appreciate them next year,they have to learn happiness with the little they have or they will always want for more and never feel satisfied.I will pray for you because as a mother I know how bad these things make us feel,but you will be surprised what kids remember the most and after raising 5 daughters and worrying over this toy or that toy,they barely remember the gifts,they remember the feeling of being together.

Answer 3

There are literally thousands of things you can do with little or no money.

Make them books, starring themselves and some of their favorite things. You could cut pictures from old magazines & use photos of the boys.

Are there any garage sales, Salvation Army, Goodwill, second hand stores near you? For just a couple bucks you will be able to get them a couple trucks & toys.

Can't you find a seasonal job? At one of the retail stores? Most retail stores hire seasonal workers right now. Go apply, then go back every week until they have you arrested for harassment or hire you. It worked for me a couple times, it can work for you too. Just because the stores have "all positions filled" right now, does not mean that someone won't quit or be fired in the next couple weeks and the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

When I was a kid, my mom & dad were in severe financial straits. That Christmas, each of us children (5 of us) only got hand made sock puppets, an orange and a chocolate bar. We played with those puppets for years. Your kids will only react in the way you allow them to. If you have raised materialistic spoiled brats then they will have a problem, if you just tell them that Santa is a little short this year, they will understand and be fine.

Are there no grandparents, aunts, father, uncles, friends you could ask for help? No one?

Where there is a will, there is a way.

Bless you

Answer 4

There may be a couple of options. First, contact your local church, they may have or know of a program. Contact the local merchants association, I know is some communities the businessmen have programs. Try the Salvation Army. The Marines have a program, I think it is called Toys for Tots. You can also call your local county social assistance office. They may have some contacts. Many years ago, I was involved in a business and along with other businesses, we would provide toys to the local welfare department to give out. We also provided Easter baskets and vouchers for meals on Thanksgiving. There is one gift however you can give your children that no one can match, your love! On Christmas Eve, or the night before, go for a walk and look at the decorations, then go home and share some hot chocolate and hugs.

Answer 5

Haven't heard of echo but as far as food Go to the Dept for Families and Children and get on the food stamp program. I was a single mom injured at work. They gave me food benefits in less then a week! Good Luck.

Answer 6

oh sweetie thats awful.
is your family, friends or your boys daddy able to help you out?
what a jerk your boss must be, who could someone do such a thing at a time like this. christams is the time for giving, not firing single parents!
try explaining to your babies that this christams may be a little tight but just remember christmas is about being with the people you love and cherish and not all about the presents.

Answer 7

Christmas isnt about gifts. Take care of your kids needs first. Look for a new job or go on welfare to get some money to feed and cloth them. Do you not have family to help you...or a father of your kids to pay support?

Answer 8

Im not sure where you live but in Canada we have the empty stocking fund, Christmas daddies, christmas angels, under the tree program! these oorganations take everyone that signs up and will even give you a turkey! we donate toys every year and winter jackets too!

Answer 9

Listen, don't get caught up on this Christmas fever. Christmas is never mentioned as a holy day in the Bible, but was rather created as a way for the merchants to make more money. Worry more about feeding your children and not so much on buying them a Christmas present. You should be asking for food, not for toys for your kids.

Answer 10

You should focus on finding a job to take care your children and your self. Xmas presents are not that important as the stores want you to belief. Remember; A hug fits all sizes and is easy to exchange.