I just feel helpless
 

Ok, as some of you know, I keep two really adorable kids during the day while their parents work. Even with both of them working they are still really struggling and have hardly anything. I keep the two kids for practically nothing ($10 a day for 2 kids and that just barely covers their lunch and snack and maybe gas if we decide to go to the park). I would keep them for a free if I could but we are very tight too with just buying the house and gas prices and our water and electricity bills have been outrageous lately despite our efforts to conserve both.

Well yesterday their only vehicle died. :( Mike picked them up and gave them a ride home and the husband actually tried to give him gas money (which DH politely refused).

I just feel so bad for these kids who are so great but have nothing. J, (10 yr old boy) has started talking to me some about school, etc. He said he doesn't have any friends because they all make fun of him because he's overweight and his clothes have holes in them sometimes. It just breaks my heart because he is such a great kid.

His sister was in my youngest DD's pre-k class last year (that's how I met them) and she said she would cry when my DD wasn't there because then she wouldn't have anyone to play with her. She said the other girls were mean to her when Olivia wasn't there to be her friend and "body guard".

I just wish there was something I could DO, you know? I can't even give them hand me down clothes because they are both bigger than my kids. They both have weight issues and its really hard on them both physically and emotionally.

I just want to HELP and I honestly can't figure out any other way I can other than what I've already done and am doing.

*sigh* thanks for listening to my little whine/vent. Its just frustrating to want to do more and not be able to.

Such a sad story...Maybe you can give us the kid's sizes and your address and we can send some new or gently used clothes so they will be able to start off the school year on a good note...Or even we maybe able to donate some school supplies if you think the parents would be willing to accept the gifts?

:D What a great idea!:p

Being overweight and poor are hard for kids going thru school. After working at our local school for 8 years, I saw the way those kids got ignored, bullied, and made fun of. It always broke my heart for the kids and I would be upset with the ones making fun. I would try my best to make each underprivileged child feel special. Sounds like your friends need someone to do the same for them.

Possibly this summer could you help with the weight problem by getting them to exercise, play ball any kind of physical activity? Also, talk to them, let them know they are special and important in this world. Remind them they are every bit as good as any child with new clothes and money!

Also, I think it a wonderful idea to donate clothing, school supplies, etc. for these kids! Do you have a few Mom friends there you could get to help?

That IS very heartbreaking. Maybe you can make sure the kids have an active summer so they can lose a little bit of the extra weight also. Get them running and swimming at a lake or park or local public pool. Kids can be so brutal to each other. :(

Thats a great idea, if people on here have kids clothes to donate maybe they can ship them off to you and you can gather everything together and give that family some clothes for the kids.

This is very sad. Kids can be cruel. I am the last of 9 and we did not have very much of a lot and I got teased sometimes at school. I think it is a great idea for donating items. Count me in.

Count me in too! Let me know sizes and I'll see what I can come up with. I don't have any kids, so if not clothes, I can definitely get some fun stuff for them! Little games and markers and puzzle books and such!

We ARE having a very active summer with lots of outdoor stuff and trips to the park.

I make them yummy, but healthy lunches where they can eat all they want and not be hungry, but its all fruits and veggies and healthy stuff. No sodas, no kool-aid, nothing with sugar or artificial sweeteners.

It would be wonderful and very thoughtful if some of you wanted to help out. :) I am sure them and their parents would really appreciate it.

I am not sure about J's clothing sizes. They spent the night here the other night and when I was helping S put her jammies on I noticed her dress was a size 14 (and fit snuggly :( she's only 5 and only about an inch taller than my own DD who still wears a 4-5T).

I also wanted to add it is very kind and generous of ya'll to offer. I didn't post this to ask for help, etc from my wonderfukl YT family. I really was just venting my frustrations. However it would be GREAT if some of you wanted to help! :)

count me in too

Sizes are a little difficult.

For S (girl age 5) today she is wearing:
Shorts with an elastic waistband in a size 10/12 and they seem to fit pretty good. I think if the waist wasn't elastic she may need a 14. Her shirt is a t-shirt size LG 10/12 and fits her perfectly.

J (boy age 10) is wearing:
T-shirt size XLG 16/18 (but I think he coulda actually use a size or two bigger).

Pants are a size 34x30. They seem a little tight in the waist, but kind of big everywhere else.

That's the best I can do in clothing sizes. Its hard to get proper sizes when they've only been wearing what they can find that fits. :(

Thank you, thank you, thank you ladies for offering to help!

I also know they are both very much in need of school supplies. Their mother was just commenting the other day she was hoping the lists weren't too long. School starts August 8th here.

I want to help. I have older children and may have large sizes. I know I'm new here, but I love kids and know how important to their self esteem it is to have a few nice things.

I've got clothing my son doesn't use now in the boys size. Most things are basically new. Could you PM your address so that I can get them in the mail?

It's kind of amusing though - here your friend is embarrassed about the holes in his clothes....and my son used to spend over $80 for jeans that had holes already in them! But I know - the kids know the difference ;)

I know I have at least one pair of new 34 X 30...this is my husbands size and I bought him a pair that he wont wear...I can send them and possibly some shirts...I am assuming you are saying XL in adults?

Unless I missed it...did you give shoe sizes?

I'm thinking it would help if you were able to get their measurements...That way if we do happen to find something we may be able to better tell if it will be good. Even down to winter coats...I have a bunch that I need to get rid of ...and they are all very nice.

Do you think you would be able to call the school or even the local Walmart...or wherever the locals go for school supplies? I know stores around me typically have the supply list for each school in the area posted...maybe we could all get started before things are picked through. Just a thought.

Lastly...maybe also instead of everyone just going crazy and buying things...maybe you could post the list and we can pick from it what we are able to commit to...and then we wont have 100 pencils and o crayons...again...just a thought.

I want to help so please let me know what I can send.

The shirt J is wearing today is a size XLG 16/18 in BOYS, but it is really very snug on him (and shows his belly). So I am guessing he needs 2 - 3 sizes bigger than that for it to fit him properly?

J's shoe size is a 10 in MENS! I was shocked! He wears a bigger shoe than my DH.

Thank you thank you I just can't say thank you enough for everyone volunteering to help! I'll start PMing my address in a few. :)

((((Hugs!!!)))) Ya'll have no idea how happy I am right now. YTers are the BEST!!!!

I would post measurements if someone would kindly tell me how to do that. LOL Do I just need to get waist and inseam or what? (Sorry lol I'm only experienced in getting my own measurements to make sure I'm getting smaller lol)

I do have school lists though -

S needs:
4 boxes crayola crayons
1 box crayola markers
1 bottle Elmer's glue
4 packs glue sticks
2 plastic folders with pockets and brads (I can pick these up because our dollar store here has them on sale right now)
1 wide ruled spiral notebook
1 book bag (no rolling book bags)
2 1" 3-ring view binders (with the clear front to slide a piece of paper in)
1 pencil pouch to go in binder
1 box tissues
1 bottle hand sanitizer
2 boxes baby wipes

J needs:
1 book bag (no rolling book bags)
5 pocket folders with brads (again I can grab these)
5 1 subject spiral notebooks
1 pkg no.2 pencils (mechanical pencils ok)
1 pkg pens (blue or black ink only)
1 red ink pen
1 yellow highlighter
1 pkg colored pencils
1pkg markers
1 2" binder and subject dividers

S is wearing a size 1 1/2 shoe today, but her toes are touching and I think she could really use a size 2.

I really want to help any way I can....please send me your address....I dont have any kids for hand me downs but I know I have some clothes I bought and just never wear or wore that I've had for a few years. I'm going to wade through some stuff and see what I can find....I was going to do that for goodwill but i'd rather give it to someone who needs it. I'll see what I can do about school supplies too....I know I have a bunch of stuff at home. Send me your address and i'll get right on it!! I'm glad to see everyone pulling together to help out these kids....its rough being a kid and not having the "cool" stuff.

What are the trends or styles in your neck of the woods?

I'm in CA and I'm sure the kids dress differently.

I was just going to ask the same thing. I am a shopper boy am I ever and would love to help also!!!

I will definately help our with the school supplies. I will do either J or S or both. If I don't see a post from someone by this weekend that they are going to do one of the kids, then I'll go ahead and do both.

Amy, if it will work for you I'll send $$ for the baby wipes so I won't have to ship them.

The "trends" down here are actually pretty basic. Its a small (VERY small) town so all the big city cool stuff hasn't made it this way yet and by the time it does its probably out of style in the city LOL

The boys usually wear jeans or shorts that go below their knees (I think they call them skater shorts?). They were t-shirts untucked and longer than they should be, but not baggy. The cool thing to wear in the fall and winter is a long sleeved thermal shirt under a short sleeved t-shirt.

S is 5 so she isn't at an age yet to really care. However I can tell you that she loves Hannah Montana and all the Mary-Kate and Ashley clothes at Wal-Mart. We were there yesterday and she saw them and went crazy. LOL (Why do they always have to put them on the outer edges where the kids can see?)

If any one is going to contribute school supplies I would suggest looking at Walmart. Thats the department I work in and right now we have

24 box of Crayola Crayons- 22cent
2 pk of glue stick- 22 cent
Folders w/ Brads- 10 cent
10 pk of blue or black pens or red- 50 cents
Pencil pouches- 97 cent
Elmers Glue- 22 cent
Crayola Markers- 88 cent

The notebooks and spiral bounds are really cheap too, though I'm not sure the exact price of those.

I wish I could offer to do one of the kids (esp. since I get 10% off), but I won't get paid for another week or two.

Oh I'd really like to help out. :( Hmmm...I'm going to go through mine and my brother's things.

Awesome idea, let them pick out what they want.

I'm in!!!!

I think "Walmart gift cards" would be the answer and save alot of money on postage!! I will send $10 if you pm me your address. I also have brand new 34-30 jeans w/tags on them brand new in mens so if that is the size he can wear I will see what all I have and mail them to you if they will fit him!! How sad it is for kids...no doubt our dogs are more spoiled than alot of kids!!

[QUOTE=delisa2850;2117470]I just assume there is a Walmart in every town - do you have one in your town? If all of us who want to help sent a $10.00 Walmart card, would you have time to take them shopping so they could pick some of their own things? (Letting the kids pick their own clothes and backpacks was always a highlight for the back to school season!) We could take the extra we would pay for shipping items we bought and put that onto the card as well. If a Walmart card would work, if you will send an address, I will go and get a card. I can't afford a lot, but I can certainly afford to kick in to a pool that can hopefully add up to make a difference for these children![/QUOT

I think this is a great idea too!!