Thank you all for reading our story.
I gave birth to my only son in April 2020, the first couple weeks into the pandemic, alone in the hospital, due to restrictions. We live in a separate province from the rest of our family, and still to this day we have yet to share any memories with with extended family.
And then Covid wiped out my workplace. Before the birth of my son, I worked on a contract with the IWK Foundation, a charity for the Children’s Hospital in Halifax. As it was a contractor’s situation, I was considered ‘self employed’. I never qualified for maternity leave benefits due to the nature of my work, and I was denied CERB benefits after 2 months.
I fell into a post partum depression rut, feeling isolated and road blocked. The father of my son worked, but without my income, we were slowly falling further and further behind. I struggled to find a daycare, with covid restrictions who would take my 3 month old son so I could go back to work. I called every care center in our city, no available spaces for such a young baby, especially during the times. While it was a set back, I couldnt imagine letting my baby go out into that scary world to a private sitter, someone completely unknown.
I looked and looked everywhere for an evening shift job, but to no avail. I had every temp agency on speed dial. My stress level was through the roof, PPD in full swing and our relationship started down the path of destruction.
I decided I needed an outlet, and hopefully a way to bring in some extra money. I followed my passions and started a small home business, very slowly. I used my knowledge and limited tools on hand and put myself out there. I got some response. A couple orders here and there, a repeat customer, a great review. Christmas came, and some more orders came in. I was elated. It was just the pick me up I needed. It didnt pay all the bills, but it was a promising start, and I was able to buy a few Christmas presents for my boy. I kept pushing, one order at a time, building a following and I’m getting there.
In March of 2021 I was able to secure an evening shift position! Yay! I was elated to go back to work! The worst of it all seemed behind us.
I have been back to work for just over 2 months now, and being up with a babe all day and working all night, most obviously is exhausting. Yes, to be expected, but it felt so good to catch up. Things seemed to be heading in the right direction.
Until yesterday, June 1st. I came home for work at 7am, to swap out the car so my significant other could head into work for the day. Things were..off. He wasnt prepared to go to work, and the house had an air of gloom. Like a hitting brick wall, I knew. He was leaving, it had all become to much, the past year of stress and my constant exhaustion had left me a shell of the woman he met, and he wasn’t in love with this one. The only reason he had stayed previously was due to the fact that he could’nt afford to get out.
So here we are, my son and I, alone on rent day with nothing to our name, no childcare to watch my son overnight so I can work, and no vehicle to get to work, as we live in the country. We have maybe 3 days of groceries, my landlord is breathing down my neck, and my boss, while understanding about my situation, wondering how I will fill my shifts.
I know God has a plan for all of us, and our struggles are obstacles placed in front of us to grow from, but I’m reaching my hand out for him, and I feel like its waving in the wind.
I have never asked for help, but my family is not in a position to help us financially and being in another province – not physically either. I am just looking for enough to get us through this month while I get back on my feet- to pay our rent and fill my boys tummy. We would need approximately $1500, our rent is $1100 and we are desperately close to being out of diapers/baby foods.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading about us, for any prayers you may send our way and any monetary donations you may be able to spare for my little man, and his very sad Mama. I have attached a photo of my little angel and I for reference.
Thank you, and God Bless.
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