I have a friend, 40 y/o single dad with a 6 y/o son, his only child. He has sole custody and gets child support from his ex-gf. She had 3 kids from other dads, but has custody of none of them; not "mom of the year". He doesn’t have any college, and he was discharged dishonorably from the navy for failure to show up for duty. He just got a temp job at /hr (never made "two digit" hourly wage before), but he is having attendence problems, because his son frequently gets sick and he can’t find a babysitter, and daycare won’t take a sick kid. He was told in a meeting with his management that his son’s doctor excuses don’t excuse him personally from missing work, even when he explained that he was a single dad. They gave him a warning, but fired one of his co-workers the same day for attendence issues. Since he is a temp, he gets no sick/vac, but he is paid directly by the company, a union shop. He is not working through a "temp agency". How can he keep his job & care for his son?
He has union dues deducted from his check, but he was told that he is not part of the union, unless he works a certain amount of days, since he is a "temp". He has worked for the company about 90 days.

My coworker is a young man. He is a Christian, a recovering alcoholic. He had a relationship that went awry, but had a baby with the ex-girlfriend. Now this "baby mama" is asking him for child support. He just started his job, and his finances are a mess, says he has no money. His car was repoed, and i think he is living with his mom. I need answers from guys facing similar battle so i can give good advice and support.

My mom is really getting frustrated with Christmas this year like you could not believe. She doesn’t know what to get anyone anything. And my dad is not helping at all with ideas. I’m trying to make it easy on her by giving her good ideas that she can build on.

So yeah, we’re both stuck…

She needs to buy for 5 nephews and neices, her parents, and my dad’s 3 aunts. She feels like she’s given everything and doesn’t want to repeat gifts. She wants to go a little cheaper on them this year.

We need your help on Holiday Gift Ideas!

For my cousins, I head to get a little basket and fill it with stuff like 2 blankets (for the couples), popcorn, hot chocolate mix, and other holiday stuff we can’t think of. With a bow on it. But when she told her sister (my aunt), she thought it wasn’t a good idea for her daughter (who is 22). I think that it’s a good idea because they are all older than 22.
>>> Is this a good idea? What else could we add? Any ideas for my cousins (her nephews and nieces) When I mean 5 cousins, it means 2 couples and 1 single.

For my grandparents (her parents), she was going to get two outside rocking chairs for their porch but my dad didn’t have enough money on his credit card at that time and now he finally has enough but now we wouldn’t get the chairs by christmas. So that idea is shot.
>>> What are good ideas for grandparents/parents? Not like candy or candles. A real gift.

Lastly, she has no idea what to get for my dad’s 3 aunts that she buys for each year.
>>> What are some ideas for them? They are old in their 70’s, 80’s, and I think one is in her 90’s already. My mom doesn’t want to get candles or candy this year again. She ran out of ideas for them.

Thanks so Much for your help! (in advance) This will really help make the holidays so much easier!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

I lost my mom at 25. She got sick with cancer July 30th we found out, and she died sept 23rd…..My mom was a wonderful woman. She made sure my brother and I had a great childhood and breakfast, lunch and dinner was always on the table. My parents didn’t make my bro and i do chores or anything like that….we were alloud being kids. There are mothers out there who don’t want their kids or they don’t cook no home made meals…..it just breaks my heart the way life really is cause I was so sheltered I guess. christmas at our house was great my mom would decorate every single year for all holidays…….I miss my mom I’d do anything to have her back specially this time of year. I’m sure if u lost a parent u feel the same way…..but somehow we just keep truckin along.
sorry e1 just missin my mom!

Also did you know that kids with a DAD and mom parents usually don’t get into trouble as much compare to single moms?
I did my research and found this to be true. So aren’t DAD’s more important than moms ? If not why not ?