I am a single dad in a school district that is now closed for the foreseeable future. I have no family within 3,000 miles and I have to work. My child isn’t old enough to stay at home by themselves. What is a person supposed to do? I’m honestly livid. Do I just quit my job and go broke? Or do I continue to go broke paying for endless daycare? It’s an impossible situation.
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This is terrible, pede. So sorry for this dilemma. And it hightlights just how important extended family (if they are good people) can be in our lives. A grandma and grandpa would probably love the opportunity to spend more time with the kiddles.
Honestly. I don't know what to tell you. Is your employer big enough that you could petition them for some type of daycare / psuedo school for your child and other employees kids?
What about a friend group / neighborhood group option? Do you have a circle of people who can work together to come to a solution and share the responsibilites - like a small home school. This can be scary if you don't know the people well and are certain that they won't hurt your child.
Or get together with a group of parents and raise holy hell. We all pay taxes and property taxes for schools to be OPEN and to be doing their jobs, which is a responsibility to educate our children. This is devastating.
If you're not familiar with him, look up Scott Atlas from the Hoover Institiute at Standford and what he says about opening schools. Present THAT to your local officials / school board and then demand they tell you why they closed schools. He makes an excellent argument to get them opened.
What about a private school option? Any good Christian schools in your area - or are they also mandated to be closed?
Wishing you all the best, pede. Pray for guidance. Even if you don't believe in God, this might just be the time to get on your knees and sincerely ask Him if he exists. He'll answer. Peace.
I don't know why anyone would downvote this. Somebody taking their time to write something to help someone they don't even know should be upvoted. SMH +1
It's only getting downvoted by people who think schools and gov't programs should babysit. Great, conservative, wholesome advice is given here.
OP, good luck with this. Are you a member of a church you might be able to turn to?
Thanks, pede. :o)
It's a long and thoughtful answer, too. :)
Yeah, I really felt for him. Can imagine being in that situation. Life is hard enough. Having loving extended family close by is so important. I know because I never have. It's not an option for everyone, but if you've got it, you've got to hang on to it. And if you don't have it, you have to get creative real quick. The main thing is, he can't endanger his child by entrusting him/or with just anybody and he loves his child so he knows s/he needs to be educated. It's a tough situation.
Thank you for the great advice! I greatly appreciate it. The private schools are kind of in limbo at the moment. Our churches have been closed since March and the staff is working very limited hours. My family would love to help out, however, I have to stay in the state I’m in due to the “situation” I’m in. I will definitely be taking your advice, though! I really appreciate it.
You're very welcome. I sincerely hope you find a good solution. All the best.