starting to freak out about being unemployed soon

marcierin

When my husband and I decided to have a 3rd child, we both had good jobs. It was a hard decision because we've had issues getting pregnant, and knew that I would have to have surgery in order to do so. We really felt our family wasn't complete, so we decided to try again.

Three weeks after the surgery, I was laid off from my job. After a couple of weeks job searching with no luck, we decided to put having another baby on hold. Well, little did we know it was too late. I was already pregnant. We were over the moon excited about being pregnant, but knew that we had a hard road ahead of us.

I have been working a temporary job for the past several months. They have been a Godsend. My kids have been sick so much this winter, and I've had to miss a lot of work. We have no one else to watch our kids because it's just MH and I.  This contract ends in two weeks. I am really starting to stress. I only have 3 months until I have the baby. No one is going to hire me right now. I was hoping to get another temporary assignment, but that's not looking good at all.

MH is a Police Officer, and doesn't get paid very much. Until I can find something else, he will be working as much overtime as he can. This makes me feel guilty because he already works so hard.

The whole situation is stressful, and I'm scared to death. I have the most wonderful kids, and I hate making them have to live like this. We have to explain to a 4 and 7 year old why the TV will be turned off, why we can't go out to dinner now and then, why they can't go to the Zoo. It just breaks my heart. I grew up with hardley anything, and I never wanted to live like that as an adult.

OK, pitty party over. If you made it this far, thanks for listening.

Vincent

I'm not really familiar with temporary agencies (in your location) but I know in my state as long as you are not fired or quit you can collect unemployment and this includes temporary agencies.  I know it probably won't be as much as you are earning now but it would give you some relief until you find something more suitable. 

marcierin

I really hope that I can collect unemployment. I'm not sure how it works here with temporary agencies. I have a call in to the unemployment office, so I hope to hear something soon.

kammmmay

Yeah, I would definitely wait to hear back from your unemployment office. Are you going to work after the baby? It might hold you over until then. You could try finding a job where you work from home. Thats what I've been doing and might continue after the baby. 

But missing those things isnt the end of the world. We canceled cable last year and are way happier without it. Nothing is ever on TV anymore and the good stuff you can get online without having to sit through a million commercials. You can get a bunch of the kid shows from the redbox machines for a dollar a day. 

My husband and I also have to cut back on going out to eat. We didnt realize just how much we were spending on meals outside of the house. And most restaurants make their food with tons of butter and salt, its way healthier to eat at home.

And in terms of the zoo, they will probably go with their school every year, so look on the bright side and dont worry too much I hope your situation gets better!

MrsPLW71

Was this your first assignment with the agency? 

When I worked for a temp agency, I was employed through them and when the assignment was over, sometimes there would be a slight lag but I always got another one within a week or two.  It was hard not getting a check, but I also got benefits and was "employed" by them not the place I was assigned at. 

I would definately talk to them and see what is up.  Good luck and I'm sorry that this is happening right now. 

marcierin

This is my second assignment with them. I've been working for them since April of 2010. I've called them, but they don't have any assignments right now. It's hard because most people won't hire someone this late in pregnancy. I don't really think it's that unfair because I can see the companies side of things. They don't want to spend weeks training me, and then have to replace me when I'm out with the baby.

Some good news is that MH just found out there are a few openings with the local Sheriff's Dept. This would mean about a $4.00/hr raise, plus a take home car (so no gas expense). This would be an answer to prayer. If I go back to work after the baby, I will have two kids in daycare, and that is so expensive. If MH got this job, I would be able to stay home. At least until my little boy goes to K.  Hopefully, this will work out and be an answer to everything.

Thank you all for your nice words and concern. I try not to dwell on it, but it's about to hit us hard in a couple of weeks.

Callidryas

I understand what you are going through, I too am having a tough time.  I lost my job 3 years ago in a market that has not bounced back.  I am over qualified for most positions and too specialized for others.  I would have taken anything and given it my all, but employers are fickle.  Now it is too late, no one will hire a pregnant woman who will have to take at least 6-8 weeks off for a c-section. 

We have made sacrifices and it was very hard to take DD out of her day care/school, since she loved going and was learning so much!  We do a lot of free activities together, like going to our community pool, water park and the zoo.  MIL bought the family a membership to the Zoo the past 2 years and we visit there atleast twice a month.  I checked out the Chattanooga Zoo, and it has a great package for the whole family for a year for $55!  Maybe someone could get it as a present at a birthday. 

I hope your husband can get the new job with the pay raise, it will make life a little easier.  It will be tough, but you can get through it!    ::hugs::  Thoughts and prayers to you.

AZ123

Be sure to sign up with all the temp agencies in your town. Don't just limit yourself to once since they all get different assignments and have different relationships with multiple companies.  Do you own job/temp searching on craigslist or other job sites as well.

You just have to get creative until this time passes. Do you coupon? Find out about different free things in town. The kids don't necessarily have to go to the zoo. A lot of museums have free days. You could also baby sit at night while your DH is at home with the kids to make some extra cash. Also, dog sitting. Like going to people's houses and feeding their animals when they're out of town. There are so many things you can do that are free or little things to make money.

Please don't tell your kids that you can't have t.v. and aren't going out to dinner because you're not working and can't afford it. They don't have the capacity to understand. Just simply tell them that you're doing such and such instead of tv or that yoiu're going to have a fun picnic under a fort for dinner at your house. Something like that. GL!

marcierin

Callidryas:

I understand what you are going through, I too am having a tough time.  I lost my job 3 years ago in a market that has not bounced back.  I am over qualified for most positions and too specialized for others.  I would have taken anything and given it my all, but employers are fickle.  Now it is too late, no one will hire a pregnant woman who will have to take at least 6-8 weeks off for a c-section. 

We have made sacrifices and it was very hard to take DD out of her day care/school, since she loved going and was learning so much!  We do a lot of free activities together, like going to our community pool, water park and the zoo.  MIL bought the family a membership to the Zoo the past 2 years and we visit there atleast twice a month.  I checked out the Chattanooga Zoo, and it has a great package for the whole family for a year for $55!  Maybe someone could get it as a present at a birthday. 

I hope your husband can get the new job with the pay raise, it will make life a little easier.  It will be tough, but you can get through it!    ::hugs::  Thoughts and prayers to you.

Thank you. It's nice to know someone understands the situation. I had forgotten about our zoo package. My youngest is turning 4 next Tuesday, so this may be a great gift for him. Thanks for the idea.

marcierin

AZ123:

Be sure to sign up with all the temp agencies in your town. Don't just limit yourself to once since they all get different assignments and have different relationships with multiple companies.  Do you own job/temp searching on craigslist or other job sites as well.

You just have to get creative until this time passes. Do you coupon? Find out about different free things in town. The kids don't necessarily have to go to the zoo. A lot of museums have free days. You could also baby sit at night while your DH is at home with the kids to make some extra cash. Also, dog sitting. Like going to people's houses and feeding their animals when they're out of town. There are so many things you can do that are free or little things to make money.

Please don't tell your kids that you can't have t.v. and aren't going out to dinner because you're not working and can't afford it. They don't have the capacity to understand. Just simply tell them that you're doing such and such instead of tv or that yoiu're going to have a fun picnic under a fort for dinner at your house. Something like that. GL!

Thanks for the ideas. I have checked with several other employment agencies in the area. I will hit them harder once this assignment is over.

I would never tell the boys that we can't do things because of money. You're right, they can't understand that. It's just hard explaining why all of a sudden I have to say no to things that are normal to them.

We are fortunate that we live in a very family friendly city. We spend a lot of time at our local parks and playgrounds. The boys love going to the farmers market because they always have special things going on for kids.

I think my biggest concern is being able to provide the basic necessities. Having a baby comes with a lot of added expense, and that worries me. I will be having a C-Section, so that adds to the medical bills we already have. I'm sure things will work out, and we will handle it. I think it's the anticipation and stress that's the worst part.

JaqiDec04

marcierin:

AZ123:

Be sure to sign up with all the temp agencies in your town. Don't just limit yourself to once since they all get different assignments and have different relationships with multiple companies.  Do you own job/temp searching on craigslist or other job sites as well.

You just have to get creative until this time passes. Do you coupon? Find out about different free things in town. The kids don't necessarily have to go to the zoo. A lot of museums have free days. You could also baby sit at night while your DH is at home with the kids to make some extra cash. Also, dog sitting. Like going to people's houses and feeding their animals when they're out of town. There are so many things you can do that are free or little things to make money.

Please don't tell your kids that you can't have t.v. and aren't going out to dinner because you're not working and can't afford it. They don't have the capacity to understand. Just simply tell them that you're doing such and such instead of tv or that yoiu're going to have a fun picnic under a fort for dinner at your house. Something like that. GL!

Thanks for the ideas. I have checked with several other employment agencies in the area. I will hit them harder once this assignment is over.

I would never tell the boys that we can't do things because of money. You're right, they can't understand that. It's just hard explaining why all of a sudden I have to say no to things that are normal to them.

We are fortunate that we live in a very family friendly city. We spend a lot of time at our local parks and playgrounds. The boys love going to the farmers market because they always have special things going on for kids.

I think my biggest concern is being able to provide the basic necessities. Having a baby comes with a lot of added expense, and that worries me. I will be having a C-Section, so that adds to the medical bills we already have. I'm sure things will work out, and we will handle it. I think it's the anticipation and stress that's the worst part.

OP... I'm in a similar situation. DH & I both lost our jobs about two years ago (within months of each other). Neither of us could find another in our field (land development, real estate is in the toilet) DH started his own businuess, and its going well, but we didn't have health insurance when we found out we were surprise! pregnant. 

I know every state is different, and here its called MediCal but you may qualify for MediCaid (or similar in your state) to help pay for you & your LOs medical costs on top of your husbands health benefits.

You could also look into things like WIC (if available). It pays for things like: milk, eggs, cheese, cereal & juice for your kids up until the age of 5.

Again, it might be different in each state, but even a couple of gallons of free milk, a few dozen eggs, and some cereal will add up on a tight budget each month.

Good luck! And I hope your DH gets the new job at the Sheriff's department.