Techno Princess asked:
Going to college fulltime for a journalism degree, ready to move out of my children’s fathers house and make it on my own. How can I support two kids and have my own place while still going to school? Could I do being a waitress/cocktail waitress…should I get on government programs? Help from single moms who’ve been through it please.
Going to college fulltime for a journalism degree, ready to move out of my children’s fathers house and make it on my own. How can I support two kids and have my own place while still going to school? Could I do being a waitress/cocktail waitress…should I get on government programs? Help from single moms who’ve been through it please.
Tags: Cocktail Waitress | College Degree | Journalism Degree
May 29th, 2010 at 7:04 am
Well you will probably have to have a very frugal life, along with getting on government programs.
Here is a site with a TON of listings for government programs along with ways to be frugal. It really helps me.
May 31st, 2010 at 10:51 am
I think you need to try and get some sort of job to get some income coming in… Then you need to file for child support. Also, you can check with your local department of social services and see if they can help you with childcare, finding a job and possibly help with housing.
June 2nd, 2010 at 8:17 pm
I’ve been a single mom to 1 kid for about 5 years now. When I first left her dad, I was going to school full-time and working 2 part-time jobs. I only had 1 semester of school left though, so it wasn’t very long that my life was crazy busy like that. I then continued to work the 2 part-time jobs until I was able to find full-time employment. When i first became single, I did get cash assistance for all of 1 week until I found a job, i received food stamps, child-care assistance, and medicaid. We only received food stamps for about 6 months. I still receive child-care assistance and medicaid.
Also it took me about 2 years after leaving my ex before I started receiving child support. And even now it can be patchy as he often gets laid off during the winter.
June 4th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Okay, this is my opinion….If your going to school, try to get on some government programs with maybe a part time job. Being a single mom and going to school is tough. If your in this position, you will have homework and want to spend time with your kids so, I wouldn’t feel too bad about getting into some programs that will help you make it, afterall, your going to school to better yourself and thus your kids lives but you don’t want to totally sacrifice being a mom to do it and that is what would happen if you tried to work too. Once school is done, you can get a job and come off the assistance. That is my opinion and that is what I would try to do if I were in your shoes.
June 5th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Take all the help you can get. Maybe you can move in with a family member until you get back on your feet. There are so many programs out there that can help. Don’t give up on school. It will be so hard to do all those things at once, but once you’re finished with school it will get easier. You can work as a waitress or a similar job to start out with.
June 7th, 2010 at 3:35 am
My mom did it. She didn’t do any government programs although she probably should have. Her secret was keeping us busy, making us go to church for something to do if anything, most large churchs nowadays have gyms they can play basketball and tennis in, coupons (which there a about a million websites that you can print these off from, it saved her about $50 on groceries a month), taking us to the library, letting friends come over all the time, investing in a VCR so you can rent movies for free at the library, even the college youre going to will have movies you can rent from the media center for them, playing Uno and board games, etc. The thing you need to remember though is that the financial part is seriously the least difficult. You need to make your focus on keeping your kids from resenting you for divorcing. It may not show through yet, but it will in their later years I guarantee it. The best thing that you can do is say “That’s cool, I like that” when they try to show you something they like. Actually watch movies with them. Be interested in them. Be their friend. Let them know they can talk to you about anything. A family should have no secrets. It keeps them strong and together. If they ask you about something you’re not so comfortable with, just take it with some stride and talk to them like you would an adult. They understand and they’re not stupid. You can drop them off at the YMCA, too during the summer and you have the whole day to yourself if you have things you need done.
June 7th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Look at this in a differnet way. Newspapers are going out of business in droves. Talk to your professors about the future of the media, new media, internet, on demand based. Get ahead of the curve now. This could also work in your favor, as a technology based job may offer more flexibility options - work from home - that are great for parents. Look for online work now, or post your own. But life experiences, like waitressing can be valuable, and also give you good things to write about.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:29 am
You can probably do both- waitress AND get on government pograms. You can probably at least get some food assistance programs. Food stamps, bridge cards, etc. You’ll probably get at least 100-150 a month (probably more, though) to spend on groceries which will be really helpful.
I work as a waitress at a busy sports bar and if you’re asking how much waitresses typically make, well, last Saturday night I walked with over $280 (yes, after tip-out). Working at sports bars, nightclubs, even as a cocktail waitress or shot girl at a strip club is good money. On a busy night I’ll make at least 150.
The only problem for you would be working the tough hours and finding someone who will watch your kids. Working at a club, you might not get home until 3 a.m. or later. Still, plenty of women at the bar I work with are single moms with kids and somehow manage.
Work as a shotgirl at a strip club (if you’re cute) and you’ll bank. 200 a night, easy. But be careful— they’ll encourage you to strip!
I’d say working five days a week at a busy sports bar, pub, nightclub, strip club, etc, and you’ll make AT LEAST 600 a week. That’s 2400 a month, and should be fine.
Good luck!
