First i just want to say: keep negative comments to yourself. Simply coming here to look for guidance and to hear advice or stories from people who relate.

I’m 22 and a single mom of 2 (2.5 year old son & 2 month old daughter) their father isn’t in the picture at all. He completely walked out of me and our son’s lives when we found out i was pregnant again. My mother always watched my son while i worked, but told me when i found out i was pregnant she’s not watching two kids. I thought i had a babysitter lined up so i never really went into action to file for childcare, but i just found out she won’t be able to watch them now and I’m supposed to go back to work in 10 days. My mom said she’ll watch them one night, maybe 2 but that’s it. There’s no way I’m going to be able to support myself and 2 kids working one or two shifts a week. I literally have nobody else but my mom that can watch my kids, and since I’ve been out of work for maternity leave (unpaid) i don’t have money to pay some random babysitter (which would worry me anyway). I need to file for child support ASAP which I’m going to, and should have a long time ago. Only reason i didn’t was bc my baby dad would threaten me every time i brought it up but i should have just did it. I’ve thought about applying for cash Assistance until I’m on my feet but you either have to be unemployed or working at least 25 hours a week, which right now I’m not working and if i really can only work 2 shifts a week, that’s not 25 hours. I’m also going to apply for child care but i know sometimes that can take months to be effective. I’m honestly so stuck and stressed i have no idea what to do.

Single moms with absolutely no help; what did you do to get on your feet??