No money.....my wake up call!!

simpywimpy

Can you claim carers allowance as you are staying home to look after the kids? Its not a lot but it also means extra off your council tax as being a carer on the allowance means you dont count towards occupancy.

If you hubby is in full time care now, have you claimed your 25% reduction as the only adult?

Personally I would get back on to social services and tell them how much you ar struggling. There are things they can offer in the way of childcare but unless you push, they won't bother to get you something.

Best of luck with everything. Sounds like you are doing a marvellous job!!

churchrat

hi
no words to describe how difficult your situation must feel, so won't try--but good luck with it all.

Have you had a benefit check?? some CAB centres offer this (but must admit thier advice can be a bit patchy at times)
Are you in touch with all the relevant charites for your family?? Sometimes they can offer the most practcal help.
Have you contacted the soc workers connected with your DH regarding your children?
How are you coping? Do you get enough sleep?

Its really hard to know what to say when I am sure that you must have tried just about every possible way, but keep in touch with us all.
churchrat

RAS

Hi

Definitely contact the relevant charities as there will be people well versed in getting the right sort of help and filling in forms. They may also offer things like holiday breaks for you.

Do join www.freecycle.org as this is a swap-shop a bit like e-bay but the goods are free. You could get free paint etc as well as clothes, bedding etc.

mumoffour77

Goodafternoon all

My morning has been hectic:)

ok, Carers allowance forms have been applied for!!
We dont pay council tax over here.....we pay rates, so I dont know if the reductions apply for me.....I already get a reduction for them as the household is in receipt of DLA.
Freecycle.....I have signed up but nothing ever seems to be on there!!!!
On Monday I am going to sign up for Quidco and other cashback sites!! Its worth a try!!!!

Churchrat....I could sleep for ireland:) with no problems!! And the charities over here are usually associated with helping if there has been a breavment or your a single parent.......both of wich havn't happened to me...(thank goodness)!!!!

Im from Co Down, on the coast!! I cant rem who asked!!!!! Sorry!!

Okay.....as I have no money I have cleaned.....how sad:(
but my kitchen is spotless, oven, fridge, D/W all deep cleaned!!!
The bathroom was minging:( why oh why can boys not aim?????????? The tiles have been scrubbed and the bog was bogging so it was bleached to an inch of its life!!!:)

I put some grass seed and moss & weedkiller on the lawn as its looking quite patchy, and there are numerous weeds lurking amongst the grass!!!! i raked some of it in to the bald patches!!! I need to sort the garden out but am so usless at structering plants that I dont know where to start.......mmmmmmmm, A little idea has just popped into my head, I wonder if there are any gardening courses on at my local tech??? I could offer my garden to them and maybe get it done for free!!!!!!.......wishful thinking im sure!!! But worth a try!!
DS 1,2 & 3 are all playing on the trampoline:) im sure one will come in soon asking for something cold to drink.....and he will be told that there is plenty of Adams Ale in the tap:)

I have been invited to a 50th birthday party on Sat night.....its Dress up.......OMG!! what im I going to go as?? I have no costume, no sitter, no money but I really want to go!! Any Ideas greatly appreciated:)......I am going to scour the charity shops on monday afternoon with DD:)

robsmum_2

HI, The orginisation I was thinking of is Sure Start, not sure they have branches in Ireland. In Uk once you have applied (they are a charity) they will match you with someone who has appropriate skillls, time etc and they will come out and help you with kids etc. Simple things like mind kids so you can wash your hair!
Your garden, try old style boards again but also worth a try contact local Scout/Guide groups who could possibly do all heavy work towards badges.
What is the theme for fancy dress, post it quick and we'll give you ideas.
Love and virtual hugs.:beer:

sheilavw

Just to say Good Luck. ....What about working in a school. I had a career change 3 and a half years ago and Im now a teaching assistant in a high school after 26 years in office. It may fit in with kids. Or perhaps with your interest what about a mentor in a school. Check our your local education website. I paid £200 4 years ago for course for teaching assistant( had a feeling maybe redundancies) but anyone not working paid only something like £25 or £50.

simpywimpy

I know you aren't technically a single parent but with your hubby being so poorly, I'm sure organisations wouldnt turn you away from help. Was hubby ever in the army? Their welfare organisations will help if he was.

Pop down to a council run nursery and ask what organisations could help you. I know your kids are older but they would have loads of info of help groups etc for their parents.

Do you have crossroads for carers over there? They are usually very good and will watch the kids for a couple of hours while you have a break etc.

Council for voluntary service? Sometimes you get help in the most unlikely of places

quidco is brilliant btw, I use it to save towards christmas!

mumoffour77

Hi all thanks again!!!!

Okay surestart are only involved with families who have a child who is 5 or under:( They used to come until DD hit 6....I have to say they were brilliant!!!

No theme for fancy dress!!!!!!! so im really stuck!! Im small @5"2 and about a size 8......although i have major muscles (due to wheeling and lifting a 13.5 stone man!!!!) So i hate wearing anything sleevless....really really hate it!!!!

Gosh I have never thought about working in a school.......mmm I think thats a doable option!! Thank you!!!!

No hubby was never in the army...... Councils here are totally different than in England, they dont run nurserys.....the social services do!! I know its weird!!!
Crossroads, the year after my hubbys accident they were approached by social services, and 2 years after that got in contact with me!! Apparently I live so far away from their catchment area that they had no one who worked in my area!!

I live 30 miles away from the nearest city!!

Maybe I should move!!??

mumoffour77

When the facaes hits the fan....my dad says that im always the one to rise above it!!! That I could walk on water and that if I fell out of an aeroplane I would land on my feet and walk away!!

I have 5 sisters.......no brothers!!
2 are Older
3 are younger
Should I have this middle child syndrome??
I have 4 kids
DS1 is 14
DS2 is 11
DS3 is 9
DD is 7

DS1 has ADHD and Aspergers but is in main stream school....he is in a grammer school, yknow the ones that have 3 different PE kits one a tracksuit, the second is white T-shirt with school logo and plain white shorts the third is green and yellow rugby shirt with navy shorts!! He costs me a fortune in uniforms....yes im thinking of them now!!!!

DS2 atm is in primary school.....but that changes in Sept when he also attends a grammer school (how he passed the 11+ I will never know) He is attending (The Red High as its locally known) and he needs a Red Blazer and their school is a little different where you buy the PE kit in School @£40!!

DS3 and DD are still attending primary school.....I can only buy their jumpers and fleeces from the school.....in May!!!

So I can make a start on the older ones uniforms now....well at the end of the month.....getting their shirts and socks and undercrackers!!

I do this.......Im just stressing about another thing:) Its ok its just me!! I flit from problem to problem.....I priortise this way.....it makes sense somehow:)

yorkshire-lad

i cant really advise you on what to do tbh,as ive just had my own personal light bulb moment.

but im here for support! and be following your progress, things will eventually get better, as though you may feel like you have hit rock bottom:grouphug:...thats not what it looks like btw:p lol.