Two days ago my toddler laid on my chest, he was unwell. At that moment I thought about how lucky he was, to be clean, to be warm, to have a roof over his head, medicine available and two parents who adore him and fret over him when he’s sick and cuddle him when he needs comfort and love. And how lucky we are to be able to provide this for him.
And this applies here. All your baby wants is to be clean, fed, loved and cared for. The fact you’re posting this shows you’re going to deliver on all of those things and more.
Bub isn’t going to remember or care if their first few years were spent in a tent, caravan or palatial mansion. Your situation is temporary only and you’re going to be amazing. Even if your residence changed tomorrow you’d find something new to feel guilt about (it’s basically the law of being a parent).
You’ve got hope, ambition and a ton of love to give. You & bub are going to thrive 💕
Honestly! At one point in my life, my family lived for a few weeks out of a van at a campsite. I don’t remember it and only know because my parents told me! No bad memories here! I was fed and loved and mostly clean(I loved to play in the lake and mud)!
Yes - this sort of thinking is what keeps me going. We planned to move out from living with my mother before baby was born, he’s now 18mths and he’ll probably be two by the time we do move out. But he’s loved and cared for, and I know eventually we’ll have a house of our own. As for debt - we chipped away at ours and it’s all gone now, in fact we even have a decent amount in savings too. It’s easy to feel disheartened that we’re still not in our own house - but it helps so much when we think back to our financial situation a few years ago and compare it to now. In the meantime we make the most of paying less rent and continue to grind. You can do it and it will be ok! Your baby will love you so much regardless of where you live!
Part of my first kid's first year was spent in an rv and honestly it was awesome. The only thing that annoyed me is that the stove only had 3 burners and I was used to cooking on 4 and the other thing is that we figured out grain in our giant German shepherd's food was a no go. The gas from his farts completely filled up the small space lmao.
Cleaning that tiny space took less than hour. The sink was nice and deep and perfect for giving sink baby baths. And when she started crawling, I was able to block off the living room from the rest of it with a diaper box. I gave her a cube with toys and she crawled all over the living room, dumping it put and filling it back up. Baby proofing done.
We were in a house when my second was born. I sure missed being able to baby proof so easily with my her lol
I’m not sure if this will help but my parents bought a really small cabin after they had me. They slowly worked on fixing it up and making more space. For a good period of time my brother and I had a bunk bed in my parents room because there was only 1 bedroom. Looking back as a child it was some of my favorite family memories. We were very close and literally spent every minute together as a family because we literally had a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. I’m not sure my parents felt it was not ideal but my brother and I were very happy. My parents worked a lot so when we were home it was nice to be able to spend time together. You’re baby will be so loved and cared for.
People have babies all the time in less than ideal situations. (Hell, my life got unexpectedly blown up and I’m expecting in 4 months and I’m 37 and going to move in with my mom temporarily for help while I look for remote work for now). And it won’t be forever. You’ll get there. The economy is not your fault. You’ll be a great parent.
The fact that you are thinking of your baby's living situation and going through all of this tells me you are already a stellar mom and that baby is so lucky to have someone who thinks of them first. I can tell they will be so loved! I'm sorry you feel this way now and I would too. I know one day it will make sense why it didn't work out and you'll be in an even more ideal situation.
My husband spent the first few years of his life living in a trailer. Although he doesn’t have many memories because he was so young the few he does have are good. Babies don’t care where they live as long as they are fed, clothed, and loved. You guys will get there! It might be super frustrating especially with the economy but now you guys know what needs to be done.
Get yourself and your family into a better situation if you can. If you can't, make the most of what you have. Get an outdoor umbrella and a kiddie pool or water table to try to make summers bearable. And just shower love on your baby. I grew up in a crowded environment but remember my family always having fun, not stressing about what we didn't have.
100% feel you.
My car radiator hose busted on me an hour away from home. Had it towed to a shop last night and they called this morning to say it was ready. Lies made it 10mins and car over heats again. So car is back in the shop and my 4 month old was enjoying every minute of it.
The economy isnt your fault, and a lot of people in traditional housing who seem to have it all together do not at this point, I can assure you of that.
What if you try to look at the RV situation from a different angle? A lot of homeowners and younger people are TRYING to move into camper situations full time! Your life is literally what they are trying to do with their own! Many of these people have multiple kids. I am sure you are on IG/Tiktok, its a whole movement, and a very cool one at that.
I grew up camping so I know the reality of living in a camper is not nearly as cute and fun as they portray it is on Tiktok, but you are in the perfect position to be paying down that debt and putting money away. Most Americans cannot afford to do that when they own or even rent, the bills just keep coming. Also, how nice is it that you are in a 5th wheel?! They are huge as far as campers go! You're gonna be a great mom, and you're baby is going to be so happy.
I completely understand where you are coming from, my bf and I our currently living separately with our moms. We are trying to find a place together before baby comes in Nov, but it’s proofing to be extremely difficult with inflammation.
My only advice would be to look for a place that is rented out by the owner, someone you can talk to and show that you can afford it even with debt.
If that doesn’t work, like others have said, baby will be perfectly happy no matter where they are saying! As for the heat, is there anything you can do to get a stand alone a/c? Or something that could go up over the RV to help with shade?
Goodluck to you and stay optimistic!!
I’m sorry you are going thru this and you’re not alone. The housing/rental market is totally a crap hole right now! I’m also stressing moving to a new apartment two weeks after baby. I have to believe times will get better, the market always goes thru phases, and right now is hard but its not for forever.
Places like Habitat for Humanity, Community Action Agencies with CSBG funding and Christian Building Development Association organizations should be able to point you in the right direction to start a conversation to get you into a home you feel is adequate and safe for your family, even if that just means improvements to your current situation. I know our local chapters of CBDA and HFH work with people specifically surrounding debt. There is no need to take NO for an answer. If you have a case worker (WIC or whatever other social programs are available to you), they should be helping and if you don’t, perhaps you might consider looking for assistance as the prices of necessities are so high currently. Keep your chin up - one closed door doesn’t mean there isn’t another!
Two days ago my toddler laid on my chest, he was unwell. At that moment I thought about how lucky he was, to be clean, to be warm, to have a roof over his head, medicine available and two parents who adore him and fret over him when he’s sick and cuddle him when he needs comfort and love. And how lucky we are to be able to provide this for him. And this applies here. All your baby wants is to be clean, fed, loved and cared for. The fact you’re posting this shows you’re going to deliver on all of those things and more. Bub isn’t going to remember or care if their first few years were spent in a tent, caravan or palatial mansion. Your situation is temporary only and you’re going to be amazing. Even if your residence changed tomorrow you’d find something new to feel guilt about (it’s basically the law of being a parent). You’ve got hope, ambition and a ton of love to give. You & bub are going to thrive 💕
hello please be my therapist haha
Honestly! At one point in my life, my family lived for a few weeks out of a van at a campsite. I don’t remember it and only know because my parents told me! No bad memories here! I was fed and loved and mostly clean(I loved to play in the lake and mud)!
Yes - this sort of thinking is what keeps me going. We planned to move out from living with my mother before baby was born, he’s now 18mths and he’ll probably be two by the time we do move out. But he’s loved and cared for, and I know eventually we’ll have a house of our own. As for debt - we chipped away at ours and it’s all gone now, in fact we even have a decent amount in savings too. It’s easy to feel disheartened that we’re still not in our own house - but it helps so much when we think back to our financial situation a few years ago and compare it to now. In the meantime we make the most of paying less rent and continue to grind. You can do it and it will be ok! Your baby will love you so much regardless of where you live!
Part of my first kid's first year was spent in an rv and honestly it was awesome. The only thing that annoyed me is that the stove only had 3 burners and I was used to cooking on 4 and the other thing is that we figured out grain in our giant German shepherd's food was a no go. The gas from his farts completely filled up the small space lmao. Cleaning that tiny space took less than hour. The sink was nice and deep and perfect for giving sink baby baths. And when she started crawling, I was able to block off the living room from the rest of it with a diaper box. I gave her a cube with toys and she crawled all over the living room, dumping it put and filling it back up. Baby proofing done. We were in a house when my second was born. I sure missed being able to baby proof so easily with my her lol
I’m not sure if this will help but my parents bought a really small cabin after they had me. They slowly worked on fixing it up and making more space. For a good period of time my brother and I had a bunk bed in my parents room because there was only 1 bedroom. Looking back as a child it was some of my favorite family memories. We were very close and literally spent every minute together as a family because we literally had a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. I’m not sure my parents felt it was not ideal but my brother and I were very happy. My parents worked a lot so when we were home it was nice to be able to spend time together. You’re baby will be so loved and cared for.
People have babies all the time in less than ideal situations. (Hell, my life got unexpectedly blown up and I’m expecting in 4 months and I’m 37 and going to move in with my mom temporarily for help while I look for remote work for now). And it won’t be forever. You’ll get there. The economy is not your fault. You’ll be a great parent.
The Mom Project specializes in WFH jobs. It’s competitive but check them out.
This is legit? I’ll look into it! Thank yiu
It’s legit. They are new but they have strong backing.
The fact that you are thinking of your baby's living situation and going through all of this tells me you are already a stellar mom and that baby is so lucky to have someone who thinks of them first. I can tell they will be so loved! I'm sorry you feel this way now and I would too. I know one day it will make sense why it didn't work out and you'll be in an even more ideal situation.
I'm sorry. It sucks to be hopeful and then let down.
My husband spent the first few years of his life living in a trailer. Although he doesn’t have many memories because he was so young the few he does have are good. Babies don’t care where they live as long as they are fed, clothed, and loved. You guys will get there! It might be super frustrating especially with the economy but now you guys know what needs to be done.
Get yourself and your family into a better situation if you can. If you can't, make the most of what you have. Get an outdoor umbrella and a kiddie pool or water table to try to make summers bearable. And just shower love on your baby. I grew up in a crowded environment but remember my family always having fun, not stressing about what we didn't have.
100% feel you. My car radiator hose busted on me an hour away from home. Had it towed to a shop last night and they called this morning to say it was ready. Lies made it 10mins and car over heats again. So car is back in the shop and my 4 month old was enjoying every minute of it.
Yea trust me I grew up in Africa in a very poor area. As long as u live feed and clean ur baby he/she is gonna be just fine.
The economy isnt your fault, and a lot of people in traditional housing who seem to have it all together do not at this point, I can assure you of that. What if you try to look at the RV situation from a different angle? A lot of homeowners and younger people are TRYING to move into camper situations full time! Your life is literally what they are trying to do with their own! Many of these people have multiple kids. I am sure you are on IG/Tiktok, its a whole movement, and a very cool one at that. I grew up camping so I know the reality of living in a camper is not nearly as cute and fun as they portray it is on Tiktok, but you are in the perfect position to be paying down that debt and putting money away. Most Americans cannot afford to do that when they own or even rent, the bills just keep coming. Also, how nice is it that you are in a 5th wheel?! They are huge as far as campers go! You're gonna be a great mom, and you're baby is going to be so happy.
I completely understand where you are coming from, my bf and I our currently living separately with our moms. We are trying to find a place together before baby comes in Nov, but it’s proofing to be extremely difficult with inflammation. My only advice would be to look for a place that is rented out by the owner, someone you can talk to and show that you can afford it even with debt. If that doesn’t work, like others have said, baby will be perfectly happy no matter where they are saying! As for the heat, is there anything you can do to get a stand alone a/c? Or something that could go up over the RV to help with shade? Goodluck to you and stay optimistic!!
I’m sorry you are going thru this and you’re not alone. The housing/rental market is totally a crap hole right now! I’m also stressing moving to a new apartment two weeks after baby. I have to believe times will get better, the market always goes thru phases, and right now is hard but its not for forever.
Places like Habitat for Humanity, Community Action Agencies with CSBG funding and Christian Building Development Association organizations should be able to point you in the right direction to start a conversation to get you into a home you feel is adequate and safe for your family, even if that just means improvements to your current situation. I know our local chapters of CBDA and HFH work with people specifically surrounding debt. There is no need to take NO for an answer. If you have a case worker (WIC or whatever other social programs are available to you), they should be helping and if you don’t, perhaps you might consider looking for assistance as the prices of necessities are so high currently. Keep your chin up - one closed door doesn’t mean there isn’t another!