Single parents have it especially hard because they have to balance work and childcare without any help.
In today’s story, a single mom who is applying for assistance has no choice but to bring her kids with her.
It turns out that bringing her kids was a great idea.
Let’s see how the story plays out…
Workforce Commission insists I come in to take a bunch of online tests despite not having a sitter, telling me to figure it out.
Several years ago, in the wake of separating from my ex husband, I applied for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF.
It provides $300 or so a month for a certain number of months to those who qualify.
I was also applying for SNAP benefits, WIC, and Childcare assistance, which has a 6 month waiting list.
My now ex husband was a real piece of work. He went to prison almost immediately after I left.
We have 3 kids together, ages 6, 4, and 2.
I was a stay at home mom until this point.
She knew she wouldn’t be able to get a babysitter in time.
When I applied to the assistance programs in my area, the TANF required me to go in to the workforce center and apply for jobs there.
They made me an appointment, and I went in, with my 3 kids, and filed some paperwork.
They asked me to come in the next day, for around 3 hours, to take some aptitude tests on the computer.
Me: “3 hours? Tomorrow? I won’t be able to get a sitter this short notice.”
Them: “Well figure it out, because you can’t get TANF without doing this.”
Me: “¯_(ツ)_/¯ Okay”
She didn’t have another option.
The next day, I show up, on time, with my 3 kids.
I sign in and sit in the waiting area.
A lady comes in from another part of the building to get me.
She calls my name, I raise my hand, and start to gather my children to proceed with her.
She takes one look at us, and says, “You can’t have your kids here. You have to sit here and take these tests.”
Me: “I told yall I didn’t have a sitter. But they said oh well you have to be here. So I’m here.”
Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Lady: “Okay, no, come with me. We are getting your childcare assistance right now. Do you have a facility in mind with open spots?”
Me: “I think so, but I’ll need to call and verify that.”
Lady: “Do that right now while I start your paperwork.”
So, I call the daycare, verify the spots, AND they offered me a job in the infant room!
It worked out really well.
She had me come back the next day after I dropped the kids off at daycare to do the testing, even though I had already gotten a job.
And She sped along all of the applications for assistance.
That woman was a godsend during a very trying time in my life.
That daycare and job setup sound amazing!
I’m glad it worked out for her.
Let’s see how Reddit reacted to this story…
Isn’t being helpful literally their job?
Here’s another great story…
This reader hopes for good karma.
Another person liked the story.
It can be crazy difficult to get assistance.
One kind person can make a big difference.
You can always choose to be that one person if you want!
If you liked this post, check out this story about an employee who got revenge on a co-worker who kept grading their work suspiciously low.