A 36 year-old mother supporting her family with help from son and the money she earns from babysitting and sleeping with men.

[The author’s household includes herself, her two young adult children and her 11 year-old daughter.]

I maintain my household on a day-to-day basis by stretching money to its fullest. I babysit for 12 hours a day, $50.00 a week. I also sleep with men for extra money to help get through another week or pay another bill. I just quit a job that wanted me to work for $6.90 an hour telemarketing and wanting free work. Free work means two hours equals $13.80 a day and three hours of off-the-clock called commission—sell nothing, make nothing—that comes to three hours of free work—no $6.90 an hour.

I make time for my kids, but that is what it is. I struggle everyday in life.

Compared to two years ago, supporting my household today is much harder.

My children’s physical health is alright. I worry about my daughter’s safety everyday. She is 11 years old [and] about 250 pounds [and] 5’6" and a lot of people think she is older and so I worry about not being there and someone taking advantage of her innocence.

She has a great time at school. She seems to excel really well and she enjoys learning, reading and volleyball, basketball. She is interested in the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics. She made the waiting list for [the] 2002-2003 school year.

I do not have any complaints about her behavior in school besides the usual talking in class.

Compared to two year ago, the general well-being of my children is better.

I struggle to do laundry—not enough money. I am on TANF and get Medicaid, medical coupons through TANF plus $156.00 food stamps. My grant is $440.00 a month, which my rent is $485.00. Clothing is hand me downs. I live in an apartment that is suppose to be ran by housing, but I pay the full rent of $485.00—that is the highest rent without help.

My 21 year-old son works at McDonalds, and he helps me pay the rest of the bills but we struggle to get telephone service paid, water, and then P.U.D. [Public Utility Department] bill [are] all separate bills and costs too much.

Compared to two years ago, my family’s ability to meet its basic needs is much worse.

Housing does not meet family needs. [I have a] two-bedroom apartment—no washer or dryer hook-ups—laundry facilities on site—$1.00 to wash, $1.00 to dry. Bills barely [are] getting paid—rent due every month [at] $485.00 a month divide[d] what I can to rest of bills. That laundry barely gets done, maybe two loads a week leaves most undone.

Physically I am currently becoming less able to do things. Due to fibromylagia syndrome severely, yet, still becoming limited—still looking for proper medical attention.

Safety is common sense.

I do not visit family, but it’s close to son’s job and I do my best with his help to take care of 11 year-old daughter.

Compared to two years ago, my housing is worse.

I have a lot of things going on emotionally that I have been diagnosed with SEVERE depression. I was seeing a therapist (intern) at Columbia Mental help that now [that] I have got to do 40 hours a week work-search and no time to see him any longer, and I am trying to cope with everything. It does not affect my work, if I had a job. But I am dealing with it.

I do feel in some ways the things that I do to survive is not well for the family’s quality time, but we survive. And I do believe that regardless, the struggle or means of supporting my family, we are strong and honest to each other.

Compared to two years ago, my emotional well-being is much worse.

My current job is searching for a job. I just got a job on May 2, 2002 that lasted four days. The job, telemarketing, [paid] $6.90 [an] hour [in] commissions.

First day (reality), [I] went to two hours interview/orientation [and spent] 3½ hours on the phone. Second day—4.5 hours, two hours paid; third day, two hours plus commission; [and] fourth day, two hours plus commission. Fourteen hours at orientation before you get on the phone—you sign $40.00 from first paycheck back to company for booklet of certificate checks.

Commission—when no sales [are] made after two hours, then [there is] 3½ hours of commission, this means [you get] no sale [for] two hours paid for on-the-clock and commission [at] no pay.

Compared to two years ago, the wages and benefits of the job I have now are much worse.

Your community or neighborhood of residence: Hazel Dell, WA

Gender: Female

Last year of school completed: 9^th grade

GED: Yes

Race: Caucasian

Ethnicity: American/white

Does your partner, spouse or co-parent live in the household? No

Do you currently receive any cash public assistance (TANF)? Yes

Manner in which story was originally given: Written by author