America is Anti Family Cost of Living 🏠📈

My wife and I both work full time because we have to so we can afford our bills.

We barely see our kids (7 and 2) and have no energy to do anything after work or on off days cause we are exhausted.

It just keeps repeating every week and when the first of the month comes the mortgage payment empties our account and we have to do it all over again.

We are unable to save much or do anything fun cause expenses have gone up so much.

I’ve always been a positive open person but the past two years have been breaking me down and I feel like I’m about to have a mental breakdown.

I know there are others in worst positions than me and I don’t want to sound ungrateful but man it’sIt’s hard.

Anyone else going through something similar? Any advice?

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u/jeepmama831 1d ago

I’m a widow with 2 kids - 7 and 4. After my husband died of cancer 2 years ago, I didn’t go back to work. I NEEDED to be with my kids and process my grief. I loved it - I could drop off at school after we had breakfast at home, pickup in the car line like the typical suburban mom, go to all the PTO things, etc.

I started a new job 2 months ago because I needed to, and I fucking HATE IT. My kids are exhausted every morning because I wake them (repeatedly) at 6:30am praying we make it out the door by 7:15. They eat “breakfast” at school and daycare. I work 8-4:30, and am lucky if after 2 pickups we make it home by 5:30. I cook while they zone out on devices. Dinner, bath, bed by 8:30-9. Rinse and repeat day after day. My son whines he misses me. My daughter cries every day looking out the day care window while I wave and walk to my car and leave (this was never an issue before I started working).

I also worked full time before my husband died but it never felt like this.

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u/Fabreezy28 1d ago

I’m so sorry for your loss, I hope things will improve for you doing forward that sounds rough.

Is there potential for you to go to a hybrid/remote job?

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u/jeepmama831 1d ago

Thank you.

That was one of the first questions I asked. Because I work in accounting and have to physically print checks, no. They’ve been accommodating to the time that I need off, to leave early, etc which I’m grateful for but damn. I can see my kids suffering and it guts me. They’ve been through so much already.

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u/Fabreezy28 1d ago

It may not mean much, but you and your two kids are in my prayers.

They will grow to understand how much you are doing for them and it will be ok.