Single Mom in need of advice from those single moms who are making it, especially those in Phoenix?

I am a 20 y.o. single mom with a 6 week old baby. I am currently staying with my parents but per their request I need to find somewhere else to live, and need to relocate back to Phoenix to finish my degree (only have 20 credits left). Right now I'm taking a full-time class schedule and am not working as I don't have anyone to watch her and I can't seem to make enough money on my own to come out with a profit after childcare costs - my parents will only watch her in emergencies.





Here's problem 1 - how do you get a place to live without first having a job - but how can you get a job in another town without first having a place to live?





Also, what sort of jobs allow you to take your child with you? Or how do you get around losing so much money to childcare? I would do Avon or Mary Kay but I can't sell stuff at all so I know it wouldn't be a good venture for me.





Any specific gov't or private programs that could help me to continue school and manage to live on my own?

Single Mom in need of advice from those single moms who are making it, especially those in Phoenix?
You're child is entitled to child support from her dad, you not pressing it, is robbing her of that $... just another way to think about it... but back to your main questions:





I really don't know much about gov't services in the USA. I live in Ontario Canada, my daycare costs are subsidized, back when I was a student and only working part-time, I only had to pay $40/month. So maybe you chould look into whether they have child care subsidy in Phoenix.





As far as I know, in order to get an apartment when you have no job, you either need to find a place in a bad neighbourhood, like where people on social assistance would be accepted as rental candidates, or ask your parents to co-sign. You should look into subsdized housing as well. Maybe consider a shelter, they can help you get a place quicker.





As far as jobs where you can bring your kids, the only thing I can think of is working as a nanny, many families will allow you to bring your baby with you if they like you. You could also look for a live-in nanny position, that way you'd be taking care of a job and a place to live.





Good luck, I'm a single mom of 6 year old twins... but I never had it that hard.
Reply:1) Subsidized Housing. Each area has it's own name for the places that are subsidized. Unfortunately, subsidized housing in Phoenix has a long wait.





2) Child Care Connections offers referrals and financial assistance for child care.





3) Your local welfare office. They can offer support such as money, food help, and medical until you back on your feet. They may be able to help you get child support from the child's father.





4) W.I.C. (Women, Infants, and Children) is offered by most heath departments. They help you provide milk, juice, cheese, eggs, and formula.
Reply:welfare can help you get on your feet. thy can pay for your day care and get you in school and some can get you a car .jest call them and see what thy can do for you. and you need to let the father pay you or he can go to jail if he don't
Reply:You should check with your school for daycare programs. I'm 19, in college and pregnant (so I'm doing a lot of research), and my university offers daycare for the children of students and faculty members for a lot cheaper than everywhere else. They have scholarships available too for students that can't afford that.





Also, my school (and a lot of other ones) has an apartment community for student families that offers a LOT cheaper rent; if your school offers something like that, look into it. Here at least, they can put it on your student bill so that you don't have to pay it up right away.





I don't know of any government programs or anything that can help you, but I really recommend taking a day to go to your school and talk to a counselor/advisor about everything. They often have lots of information that is hard to find just by searching on the internet. If you ever need to talk or rant or anything, feel free to email me...I know how hard it is to not have the full support of your family. Good luck!





Oh, and you should definitely be getting that child support. The baby is half his...He'll pay up or end up in jail...lol