Categories: Parenting

Surviving Being Homeless with Children

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, the number of homeless families with children has increased over the past decade. In 2007, 23% of the homeless were families with children. With the rise in poverty levels, many families are barely getting by. If you find yourself facing homelessness, here are some tips on how you may be able to prevent it and survive it if it does happen to you.

Before you actually become homeless, there are things you can do to help prevent it. Homelessness does not usually happen overnight. A fire or natural disaster can make a family homeless in an instant but aside from these tragedies, the risk of becoming homeless is a thought that parents don’t deal with. Although you may not think it can happen to you, many American families are experiencing it. Your child probably has classmates who are homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless.

Many children in this country are living with the stress of not having enough to eat and knowing that their family may become displaced due to a family’s loss of income due to a parent’s job loss. Declining wages and more competition for jobs are part of the reason why many single-parent and dual income households suffer financial problems.

If you are a parent who is finding that they are struggling to make ends meet but are not winning the war against poverty, there are steps that you can take to improve your family’s life. They are not easy choices to make, but your child’s well-being needs to take precedence over your pride or ego.

The lack of affordable housing is a problem with wages dropping. Consider getting a roommate to help with household expenses. If you are a single parent finding another single parent is a good choice. Sharing a home can be a way to split expenses and avoid becoming homeless.

Living with family is another option for single parents to consider. You can contribute less money in order to house your family and have the added benefit of extra help with your child or children. You are sacrificing some privacy and maybe you and your parents may not have an ideal relationship, but living in a shelter with your children is a much worse fate.

Applying for food stamps is an option that can help single parents feed their children healthy foods when there isn’t enough money for groceries. Affordable housing is something that is harder to find and many agencies do not have the funds to help families in need. Working and receiving welfare isn’t enough to be able to get by. The way the current system is set up does not make it easy for parents to avoid becoming homeless.

The best solution to dealing with becoming homeless is to anticipate that you are in trouble before it happens. When you are living paycheck to paycheck, it is time that you prepare for the worst scenario. Even in a two wage earner family, homelessness can still happen. Living above your means and not having an emergency fund can threaten your family’s security.

In these unsure economic times, planning for the worst is the smartest thing a family can do. Downsizing so that you are learning how to live on less so that you can build up a nest egg is the smart thing to do.

For a single parent, accepting that you are divorced and your financial status has changed can help you to provide for your child. Learning how to live on less money takes sacrifice but it can be done. Cutting back on what you can will help. Searching for affordable housing is another step.

If you find that circumstances are beyond your control and you do find that you and your children are homeless, there are ways to lessen the stress. Government agencies may be able to help you but in the meantime, while you are going through all the red tape and paperwork, you are a parent trying to provide for your child.

Call a friend and ask for help. This transition can be extremely tough on a child. A good friend will offer up their couch to temporarily help you and your child. If your child has another parent who is in the picture, consider allowing your child to stay with him/her on a temporary basis. If they normally have visitation, arranging something temporary will keep your child from having to experience homelessness.

Children who become homeless suffer in school and often have emotional problems due to the stress that their family is living with. If it does get to where you find yourself homeless, speak to your child’s school about your situation. The school can help you with counseling to help your child deal with homelessness. Apply for free lunches for your child. In some school districts, breakfast is also provided. The guidance counselor at your child’s school may even have access to community resources to help you with housing and other needs.

Reach out to your church and don’t be so ashamed of your situation that you avoid asking others for help. If you show people that you are willing to work to get back on your feet but you need temporary assistance, you will find “angels” who will help you.

The stress of being homeless can be unbearable but as a parent, you need to find strength to help your child through this tough time. Although your focus is on working to improve your family’s situation, do not ignore that your child needs your attention and love at this difficult time.

Homelessness can be survived. It does take time to get back on your feet again but it can be done. The most important thing during this stressful time is to do everything in your power to help your child deal with the loss of their home. Change in life is inevitable. Try to make any changes easier on your child by being there for them emotionally.

Do not allow your pride to keep you from accepting offers of help. You will be providing for your child again. Consider homelessness as a temporary situation and stay focused on ways to work yourself into a better life for your family.

It isn’t easy but giving up isn’t an option. You are a parent and your child relies on you. The strength of your character is a valuable lesson for your child to learn from. Homelessness is a sad part of life for many families today. If you are faced with it, you can rise above it through hard work and support from friends, family and even strangers.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/who.html