Family hardships are a part of life, and they come in all shapes and sizes. With the economy as it has been for the past 5-6 years, there are more families going through it than we recognize.
Today’s #MomMinute question comes from Cameron, who asks, “My dad lost his job for something he didn’t do, and my family is struggling with money. How does my family get through this time? I don’t want to tell my friends because I don’t want them to think of me differently.”
Unfortunately, each of us will be affected {at one time or another} directly or indirectly by losing a job.
My parents have gone through it, and so has Shaun’s. Both sets of parents taught us to save money in the bank when times are good, just in case. That has come in handy a few times for us.
Family members relying on each other is very important, and as a child, doing what you can to support your parent in their job hunt. See what you can do to help polish up your parents’ resume, or help in practice interviews. Maybe even ask your friends if their parent’s work has open positions available.
Please know that you are not alone. I think your friends will be more understanding of your situation than you think. It may be that they are going through a different family hardship, and need support as well. Maybe choose one friend, the one you confide in the most. Know that they love you for you, and not for what you wear and what expensive after-school activities you participate in. I promise they will have your back.
Like a blacksmith refiner’s fire, hardships can really make us stronger as families. Although they are painful, and often seem so unfair, it is an opportunity for our families to bond together.
Facing the challenge head on will make you stronger, this I know. Love you all!
Happy Parenting,
I can’t really say how I got “through” my father’s job loss since after five years we are still struggling.
Some things that I have done to help is BUY SECOND HAND! You can find tons of great quality name-brand clothing at thrift stores, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and all for EXTREMELY good prices.
My mom has also been great at budgeting. Every month she sets out how much we can spend on certain items. Food, for example, we can only spend so much on food. If we go over budget, we have to manage as best as we can to get to the new month.
One last thing I have done is, since I am 16, I have started taking up some of my own expenses. I buy some of my own clothes, I buy my own shampoo and conditioner, face wash (I don’t use make up or nail polish but I would buy my own too if I did.
Sometimes, its fun to not have that much money. We pray for God to supply our needs and he has worked in amazing ways. One Christmas, we couldn’t afford a Christmas Tree. We came home from Church one Sunday and there on our back porch was a tree. A envelope was attached, with money inside. We still don’t know who gave us that tree.
So, if you’ve hit hard times, remember that God is right there beside you every step of the way. He sees when even a tiny sparrow falls, how much more He must care about us!!