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Babies: 6 - 9 Months
if you are on some sort of assistance
and you don't mind talking about it, how does it make you feel on Thursdays when we beat this topic into the ground, lol.
What would you like to say to the pull yourself up by your boostraps crowd?
What are some common misconceptions that we have that you would like to correct?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: if you are on some sort of assistance
Trouble maker.
This.
I don't care really! I am on WIC; it was the only thing that got us through maternity leave. I was hospitalize twice after I had my DS and in and out of the doc at least twice a month as well. My doctor didn't even want me going back to work after 12 weeks but I had to. Now it is just that "assistance" we could get by without it; but I'm not going to judge someone who can't.
I'm on WIC- sure, it drives me crazy to constantly see posts about it...and then to read what ppl say. =(
I have said before, I was embarrassed by it in line at the stores and wouldn't even look up at people... In fact, in the beginning (when pregnant), I would go without b/c I'd get up to register and freeze...I'm slowly getting over that now b/c it's not just me... my baby needs to eat. And he LOVES doing so =)Sorry to all of those who think I'm a peice of trash b/c of using WIC vouchers... I don't understand why ppl get so worked up over it.
I do agree that ppl abuse the system, but there are plenty that don't-- so this judgy...who's abusing? who is not? is ridiculous in REAL LIFE and on TB
Really? Because all we ever hear is anecdotal evidence about how one person is abusing the system.
How about hearing from the people who really depend on it and in whose life this assistance has made a difference?
I know this is no surprise to anyone that we qualify. Right now since DH is deployed we are not using WIC because we are doing fine without so I don't think I should use it (though we still qualify). Before we could make it without but sure it helped.
Honestly it's so clich? but no one knows what that person is going through. If someone had seen my H and I going through the checkout line while I was pregnant using my WIC cards you wouldn't know my husband is AD Navy and putting his life on the line for others. That we DON'T actually do any drugs and don't spend frivolously on bogus things (no xbox or playstation in my house thanks), we may not be perfect with our money but we try and actually have very little debt way less than most people.
It does hurt sometimes when people go off on their tangents especially saying I shouldn't have more kids. My husband works hard, very hard and we already sacrifice so much. Why shouldn't I have the same privileges as everyone else just because we don't have as much money?
It's people like those that made me SO embaressed to even use them. I hope and pray the people that look down on people like me never know what it's like because it hurts.
Meh, probably not the right post to use the sign in, but I really wanted to use it.
no, it was perfect. Big Brother is watching me! And not mexicali but I am not bitterm thank you very much.
I think anyone who thinks you should not have more kids is confusing welfare with wic but regardless anyone has the right to have children. Children are not a luxury only afforded to the rich, right?
I think when we put a name to face like Anabelle or Ash, it's not so easy to judge that person in the line using their wic vouchers.
Me too! And I dont understand y its being discussed anyways.
Most pple r on it because they need it. I got free medela manual breastpump, formulas, checks for fresh veggies and fruits, milk, cheese, juice, bread, rice, cereal.. And it really helped cos I had no job, mortgage has not been paid for 2 months, bills to pay and DH was the only one working. I just got a job after 2 years and now only get formulas, baby food and cereal.
http://www.jakeala.etsy.com
Anabell, I'm very glad you said this. This is a statement that often gets thrown around and I don't think people fully realize the ramifications. I highly doubt if someone were actually fully versed on who uses assistance and what it does, they would ever argue to prevent you from having children.
Yankee, this is a very good topic. Most Americans have no idea how many people close to them use assistance. I believe I heard the other day that 1 in 8 people are now on welfare. It is so amazingly common and necessary, yet those not on it are completely unaware. A personal face always helps.
We're on WIC. My husband is AD military and is our only source of income. I'm not able to work because even if I was able to get a job, we wouldn't be able to afford daycare for DS. We're a one car family, and DH has to have access to the car almost 24/7 for his job.
I'm not going to lie, it hurts to see so many judgements against people on assistance. When I was growing up, my parents beat into my head that only "trashy" people were on gov't assistance. When I had to apply for WIC during my pregnancy, I walked into that office with so much shame. My parents words constantly played in my head. They still don't know that we receive the checks.
I'm slowly becoming more comfortable with using the checks at the store. I'm doing what's best for my family, and heaven forbid that I'm using the assistance to feed my child.
Being on WIC, or any kind of assistance for that matter, does not make one poor. We live in a town where it is just hard to make enough money to even have some left over for something fun. We live paycheck to paycheck. That being said, we have all the things we need. Without WIC while pregnant and until now, it has been a HUGE help. Also, DS is on medicade and without that, we would be 100,000s of dollars in hospital debt.
I am a single parent of 2 kids. While I was out on leave (with no pay) I qualified for WIC. Being that I had no child support it was a huge help for me. But now that I am back at work I make too much to qualify. If I did not I would use it again in a heartbeat.
I also receive daycare assitance from the state. They cover almost 60% of my daycare each month. Without this, and with no child support or WIC, it would be much mroe of a struggle.
I am not ashamed. I feel the programs are there for people who need them. Are they abused, sure.
I agree with the part about assigning a face creating less judging.
I don't mean to be unkind, I'm not trying to be hurtful. However, I still don't think if you are USING assistance you should choose to have more children. I do think children are a luxury, not for the wealthy but for those who can provide for them. (I don't mean name brand clothes and cell phones, I mean necessities)
I view assistance as a lifeboat. It's designed to help you while you are in an emergency, but it's not designed to live in for life. You wouldn't be in a lifeboat and purposely start inviting others in when you are struggling yourself.
Same here. And as PP said, when DH is on deployment starting in January I will no longer be on it because at that point it won't be necessary. But it helps. I mean even just the 5 or so gallons of milk a month that I get saves us about $25 being that a gallon runs almost $5.
I think WIC is a great program and I think women would be more comfortable using it is they didnt have to have a seperate order for each WIC coupon. If they could just have one big order, sign the coupons, and go it would be easier and less noticable for the mommas.
My step mother was on WIC and we needed milk THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING. We had several separate orders and I was a Sophmore in high school so I didnt quite understand what WIC was all I knew was I got to pick out my favorite juice in the can in the freezer section. People were so harsh and mean and she had to explain to me why. I know I have been harsh regarding the welfare system and have generalized people because of my wretched neighbor who abuses the system horribly. But its posts like this that inform the ignorant and I appreciate your openess and honesty.
So do you believe Anabell shouldn't have children because the government doesn't pay her husband enough to defend our country? Do you think the jobs performed by those needing assistance are unnecessary? Do you think someone who chooses a low paying job, say in a factory or field, are consciously making a decision to have a low paying job or choosing not to have children?
I'm not confused, I know the difference. Both are assistance programs saying the government believes you do not have the financial means to take proivde for your children. I'm not saying either of them is bad, I'm not saying one is better than the other. I'm glad the programs are there to help people out when they need them. However, I still stand by my belief that if you cannot provide for the family you have and need assistance you shouldn't be adding more people to it. In my opinion, these programs are designed to help people with their needs, not their wants. Needs: taking care of children you have. Wants: more children.
Here's what you are missing - some people are not temporarily on assistance. Some people work but are still unable to make enough money to support their family. The low paying jobs are still necessary to our society. We need someone to pick the strawberries, we need someone to work the factory line, we need someone to defend our country. Assistance (WIC or welfare) is there to assist people who are unable to purchase the products on their own.
So what is another option? The government could force lower prices on items such as formula and diapers. The companies would then not make enough money to sustain themselves and go out of business. The government could force higher pay, but then more companies would go overseas. Or, if you prefer, the government could refuse to help those who have children without being able to support their needs. Who would be hurt here?
I don't think you are fully thinking through the implications of your statement. You are thinking idealistically. Now put it into practice. Would you prefer sterilization? Without it, children happen and we have to figure out a way to care for them.
According to the Supreme Court people have a fundamental right to decide whether or not to have children. I can't fathom taking this away simply because of income.
Very well said. You put words to my thoughts exactly
I don't post much here anymore for this very reason, I feel like I am always being judged even if you don't know it's me you are judging. We are on WIC, Food Stamps, And Medicaid. DH and I both go to school full time and we both work part-time. I graduate in May and then I can get a "real" job and we will no longer qualify.
AND we TTC LO even though we were already on assistance. I don't feel bad that we decided to get pregnant while on assistance. We were on it for about two years and God willing we will never need it again after I graduate. We are also TTC again. I know it's no excuse but we live on a college campus and I know people who are driving cars 10 X better than mine and getting assistance. Because technically it's daddy's car and his money they are spending at Hollister and on alcohol. So if my family needs assistance so they don't starve I'm not going to feel bad about it.
Sorry if this is super rambling
Just putting this out there: WIC gives you about $30 a month in free food. You think that $30 is the difference between who can provide for their children and who can't? I'm on WIC. We get some free cheese, bread, juice. Could I still buy these things without WIC? Absolutely. I am able to provide for my children without it.
Wow..it makes you wonder how people in this country survived before the initiation of these government programs! I stand by my position: the governement programs exist as a temporary solution, not a way of life. And that would be my biggest disappointment with the bump. So many people seem to think that these programs exist to help equalize things between those struggling and those who have more. I don't think that's the purpose of them and I would argue that's one of the reasons we're facing economic debt today.
Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter
"><a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/825/1820/8251820.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - Free <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Calorie Counter</a></small></p>WIC is a program that was created to improve nutrition for mothers and babies. We all know it's less expensive to buy premade prepackaged items. Studies have shown what a difference protien, dairy, and fresh fruits and veggies make to growing and developing children. Much better than a 29cent pack of ramen. To some it's the difference between being able to feed their children pureed baby food and having to stick to predominately cereal. I'm all for WIC, and other assistance to improve the lives of our children. I'm not on it, but I don't judge those who are! Good for them for being able to whip that card out at the register and tell all the holier than thous to screw it!
I think people are confusing WIC and Medicaid. I do have issues with the minority that have as many babies as they want (I have a friend on her 5th) that the government largely supports, with no efforts to ever attempt to get off it (In high school this girl decided she would work min. wage retail and forego school since all she wanted was to have a houseful of kids and government assistance could make this happen for her--her words). What a hot topic!
No were facing an economical meltdown because the prior administration took a surplus and turned it in to a trillion dollar deficit. Why? Because of the imaginary WMDs that existed in a country that we had no conflict with at the time. Now, take the cost that it takes to fund a war on a daily basis and put that back in to our economy, and were thriving again. I see you are from Kansas, Salina no less, so I will assume you are a Kansas thinker. Its sickening.
I apologize I didn't respond more quickly - I got called away. Your first statement is rather silly. First, our standard of living today is much more expensive than it was even in our parents' childhood. In the past, people were able to live off of their own land and production. Today a career which would have given our grandparents' a happy life can no longer support a family. Admittedly, economics are not my thing, but if you need some statistics on this I would be happy to ask my economics loving H.
Second, impoverished children in the time before government assistance often did not survive. Children were malnourished, left on the streets, given up to orphanages, etc. Our country has taken on the responsibility to make sure its' children are cared for and healthy, and WIC is one of the ways it is using to accomplish that objective. Do you have other options in mind or do you just want to do away with any care? If your argument is we should not help the children, that is a whole other ballfield.