Holiday Hands

I am expecting my third baby in November. My two boys are ages 5 and 8. I worked in an office as a receptionist until COVID hit New York City. My office building closed, and it is not supposed to reopen until June 2021. I am trying to find a new job, but no one will hire me because I am pregnant. No one needs a receptionist at the moment anyway. My husband is an essential worker and has been working every day throughout the pandemic. But with only one salary and high rents in New York City (even in the Bronx), it is very hard to keep our cell phone bills paid, our electricity on, and enough food on the table. Our landlord has threatened eviction on several occasions but, each time, we somehow find money to pay him enough to let us stay. My boys are going to school remotely so there is a lot of stress in our household. English is not my first language so it is particularly difficult for me to follow the teacher’s instructions of uploading/downloading, etc. I am hopeful that once my baby arrives, I will be able to find a new job, but I don’t know how I will afford childcare. One day at a time. I would like to buy my boys new winter coats and new winter boots since we need to play outside a lot this winter. I would also like to have a few more diapers for the new baby and then put any extra money towards rent for December.