Hi everyone,
This is my first post -I wish it was under better circumstances. I just don't know where else to go and I can't get my brain to focus on anything else. **If this thread needs to be moved to a more appropriate place I will absolutely take it down or move it asap.**
I am 21 weeks and 4 days pregnant with our first child and yesterday my husband was fired from his job for making an honest mistake. It was sudden and completely unexpected and we are devastated. He has been with this company for almost 10 years. Was the youngest person to be promoted to the position he had and never had any negative performance reviews. He was really making a name/career for himself at this job. It was our main source of income, our health insurance was through this job and now it's all just gone. We also recently just bought our first home. This could not have happened at a worse time. He is so heartbroken and I hate seeing him in so much pain. He says he feels like he failed us and it just tears at my heart. I don't know what to do. I'm trying to be strong for him, to show him that I have faith in him and that I know he will find another job soon but I am also very scared about the future and don't know where to go with these feelings and fears because I don't want to overwhelm him. I'm so worried about what we will do for health insurance, what this means for our long term financial stability. I work full time as well, but I do not make enough to support us and a baby on the way. I'm so disappointed that this is happening right now, during a time that is supposed to be exciting and happy as we prepare to bring our first child into this world. I don't want this stress to harm our baby but I don't know how to stop from worrying over this. Thank you for letting me vent. Any advice or good thoughts would be so welcome right now.
Re: 21 Weeks pregnant and Husband just lost his job...
I'm really sorry this happened to you. I was the only person working (DH was in college) when I was pregnant with DD and I got laid off. I get how stressful it is. I know it seems impossible right now.
You need to sit down and figure out a game plan; How long can you live off your savings and your job? Can you qualify yourself for subsidized health insurance? (Most states allow pregnant women to be on the state Medicare right away if they don't have another insurance option) What can you cut back on, budget wise? (Cut cable, no eating out, really limit your vehicle use to save on gas, etc) Can you rent out a room in your home temporarily to make some extra money? Does your husband have any idea where to start looking for a new job?
It'll be rough, but you'll get through this!
Baby Boy due October 2017
@migdala Thank you too for your words of encouragement. DH and I decided to take last night and today to mourn the loss and recover, which I now feel better about. I'm just doing all I can to not let the stress effect the baby at this point but your kind words are helping ease my anxiety.
BFP #2 3/18/19 * EDD 11/25/19* DS born 11/30/19
hang in there!
*O17 June Siggy Challenge - You had 1 job!*
1. Have him file for unemployment immediately. There is no back-pay for unemployment if you wait to do it.
2. Look into COBRA, your work insurance and Obamacare and see what gives you the best plan for your money. Usually COBRA is more expensive than Obamacare. Because this is a "life event" you are eligible for a new plan even though it's not open enrollment. Also check if there are any other benefits you are signed up for or not at work that you want to change.
3. He should update his resume while everything is still fresh in his mind. Once you both have had a few days to process, start reaching out to people in your network to let them know you he is looking. They may know of immediate openings.
4. Do something nice for yourselves. It doesn't have to cost money, maybe you have a picnic in the park or give each other massages. Let yourselves be happy. Just because crap goes wrong doesn't mean you have to feel crappy about it all the time.
5. Give him all the baby chores to do. Set up the nursery. Wash and put away the clothes. Decide what things you need to buy. Make freezer meals. There are only so many jobs he can apply for a day - put the rest of his time to good use!
**June Siggy Challenge: You Had ONE Job!**
LO#2 EDD October 18th
more fortunate than 90% of the world's population, and this too shall pass." It may not help right now in your position, but once I was able to start believing that we were still so lucky with everything we had, it became much easier to
move forward with a game plan, and enjoy our time with a newborn.
Good luck with everything.
Baby Boy due October 2017