I’ve decided, as soon as I get myself out of the current situation in which I find myself, I’m going to start a charity. I’ve learned over the last few months that there are plenty of agencies that will help pay your housing, utilities, day care, food, etc. if you are unemployed or underemployed. But what happens if you have a decent job but still can’t pay your cost of living bills? You make “too much money” to qualify for help of any kind. I’ve heard these shallow words over and over. Quite frankly I consider them a slap in my tax-paying face. I can’t speak for anyone else, but in my situation, daycare alone is more than half of my net income. I have three children. I realize this is more than the 1.5 or 2.5, whatever the national average is, but it’s not like I’m Kate plus eight or the Octomom, either. I just need a little bit of help for a few months.

I always thought that if you worked hard you’d be able to give your children a decent life. Now that the veil of reality has been lifted, I feel like I need to do something. I don’t want any other single mom trying to make a better life for her children be turned away from agencies without a clue of where to go or what to do. I am so thankful for the friends who’ve pointed me in the right direction and keep encouraging me at every dead-end. I want to be able to help future women and children pay bills, buy food, clothing, whatever they need to provide for their families while they navigate the no-man’s land between marriage and freedom, “qualifying” for aid and being able to do it on your own. Wish me luck!