I am a single mom with a 13 year old son. I lost the extra income that I had coming in. Where can I find help to be able to give my son a Christmas this year?
By Kisha
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Hi, Kisha. I agree with the other posters that there are probably numerous organizations in your community that will help you not only with toys and gifts but probably with food and other items too.
Also, check places like Freecycle and Craigslist for free items. However, years from now, he will probably not remember the gifts he got. He will remember that he was with you on Christmas and that you love him. That is the best gift you can give to a child. Good luck and god bless you and your son.
Most of the places that provide Christmas help have a cut off limit of age 12, for kids gifts. At age 13, your son is old enough to understand the bare facts of economics, if you explain to him that you can't afford to get him much for Christmas this year. Doesn't he have grandparents and aunts and uncles that give him gifts?
None of my family or my in-laws were well-to-do, but they always gave each grandchild a gift, it was usually clothing because when kids reach 12-13 years of age, that is what they can expect, and none of my relatives are into spending on designer clothes. You could also look in thrift stores and see what you could find in the line of things he likes and wants. Sometimes you can find things that are like new and sometimes even things that are new. Call 211, it is a National Helpline organization that keeps a list of all organizations in your area that people might need help from. There is also the Salvation Army. Also call your pastor and ask if there is any way the church could help. Sometimes they will take up a special offering to help people.
The other post said some of what I would suggest like calling 211 or if you don't have a church call a larger one with a youth group, ask for the youth Pastor. I so understand you'll never know; yes 13 is old enough to understand,it also is the time where we can loose our kids to peer pressure like no other time in their lives. If you have family Praise God, I didn't have a single person, I have not been close to my family in decades. Yes I have them, but seeing them. Spending time together, it just never seems to happen. My son was adopted, they really don't know each other due to distance, lifestyles etc. so I understand. It seems if you had family there wouldn't be this worry(?)
I have gotten my son brand new tennis shoes(name brand)at AmVets,designer jeans at Ross; I home schooled him still I didn't want him to live like I grew up so never was there anything for me it was all for him. Call Big Brothers in your area, they understand and may have options that weren't here where I live. Twelve yrs. is the cut off to most every place that does Christmas Charities don't let that stop you. If there is anything you aren't doing like recycling cans,have anything you can sell (jewelry,clothes) maybe get a job cleaning houses for awhile anything to bring in extra income. Christmas is important!
I tell you this with tears thinking back at what I didn't do, no tree. We got money, one year I had to ask if they could put it towards the rent.
From the bottom of my heart I will pray for your situation, 13 is still a boy he just wants to be like everyone else, so whatever it takes go do it. Finding a cleaning job, or even volunteering somewhere in exchange for something special. The bigger churches with youth groups will certainly be more understanding if its the case where you don't have family to help you, do not be afraid to call, ask, or go in and get counsel. If you don't have a church, I would recommend you get your son involved being around other good kids is very important at this age. Even if he doesn't want or like it you are the parent, it's our jobs to make the decisions that will help him as he gets older.
Good luck,there is a way and yes it is important.I will pray for you and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas this year and all of those that follow.
Do you have family that can assist you and did you save a small amount during the year? Even if you are not working you would receive goverment payment for yourself and son.
Contact your local Salvation Army. Here they have Angel Tree program.
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