QR Code Link to This Post I came on here to look for something specific. Then I started reading all the help requests.
18 years ago, my Ex left the state and me with 5 kids. I hadn't worked because I wanted to be an "at home" mom. I had 3 in High School and 2 in middle school.
Imagine what I faced. What do I do? Well, I found a part time job watching a little 3yr girl, and I got another very part time job, in my home answer calls for an Answering Service. But that was not even close to paying rent, bills, food, etc. So, I got a job Auditing businesses, which was usually in the middle of the night. I got to know my neighbor enough to let them know I would be gone, just in case of emergency.
That first Christmas was rough. 1 present for each. My heart ached and I usually cried myself to sleep. Never once did I think I needed to ask for help. These are MY Children, not anybody else's responsibility.
A year later the little girl I watched went to Pre-School and I lost that income. Luckily I found a part time job, about 25 hrs a week. So I had to keep the night job still.
Another Christmas goes by, and still one present each. This does continue for about 4-5 years. One child off to the Navy, another at PCC. (couldn't afford a 4yr college).
Still, I never considered my children were entitled to Presents. Christmas is about Family Time, spending time together, and being thankful that we had a roof over our heads, and really that we loved each other. Sounds corny for sure.
But, all these years later, my kids, to this day think they had the best Christmas during those struggling times.
I see people asking for there School to be paid for, or a single mom is starting over and wants her storage to be paid off. Does being a Single mom make them/us more deserving? No. I know families that both work and still just barely make it. I think THOSE families are more deserving, but of course they'd never ask for help.
Years from now, your kids will not even care that they got a new iPhone, or anything else. They will remember that you spent time with them, and worked hard for them. That is what matters. That is what is important.
Merry Christmas ....hug your kids, call your mom or dad and tell them Thank!
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