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How to Survive a Sick Kid, a New Shift and a Tight Budget

August 21, 2024 Being new parents is hard enough, but when life throws you some curveballs, it can feel like you're on the verge of a breakdown. That's how we felt this past week when Oliver came down with a fever, Matt was moved to second shift, and we tried so hard to stick to our new budget. How did we manage to get through it? Here are some tips that helped us survive and even thrive in this challenging situation.Tip #1: Plan aheadOne of the best things you can do to cope with a sick kid, a new shift and a tight budget is to plan ahead as much as possible. For us, that meant making a meal plan for the week, stocking up on groceries and essentials and preparing some easy meals that we could easily heat up. It also meant making sure Oliver was entertained while he was home from daycare and Matt was sleeping or working so that I could get my work down as well. And of course, it meant making sure he had enough medicine, fluids and rest to help him recover. Not to mention it was great to have money in our medical expense account to help pay for the pediatrician copay and required medicines.Tip #2: Ask for helpAnother thing that helped us a lot was asking for help when we needed it. We reached out to Britt’s aunt and grandma, who live nearby, and asked if they could each take days watching Oliver for a few hours while we worked and ran some errands. Also, Matt’s brother made us dinner over the weekend, so we didn’t have to worry about it. As Oliver was feeling better, his older kids helped entertain Oliver so that we could simply eat dinner. We were so grateful for their support and kindness, and they made us feel less alone and overwhelmed. As a couple who struggled with infertility for years, please note that we are not complaining about taking care of our child but realizing how it can be hard sometimes and deter us from the big picture because it gets stressful.Tip #3: Communicate with your partnerThe last tip that we want to share is to communicate with your partner as much as you can. Having a sick kid and a new shift can put a strain on your relationship, especially if you don't see each other as often or have different routines. That's why it's important to stay in touch and express your feelings, needs and expectations. We made a point of texting each other throughout the day, sending each other pictures and updates and calling each other before bed. We also made sure to carve out some quality time on the weekend to discuss our budget and schedule for this upcoming week. And we tried to be understanding and supportive of each other's challenges and stressors, and to appreciate each other's efforts and sacrifices.Overall, we are proud of us and what we were still able to accomplish this week with some major disruptors. If we have learned anything through this process so far, it’s the fact that life will always throw you curveballs, but the more you practice, the easier it will be to handle most if not all without a negative impact. Instead, you find another path toward your goal, and it might take longer, but it’s not an end-all like in the past. You might also be interested in As we wrap up our last week on the money budget challenge, it's incredible to look back and see how much we've learned and grown. This journey has been... When it comes to managing investments, the importance of effective communication and trust cannot be overstated. Our recent experience with Summit Credit... We are thrilled to share some wonderful news—Matt has successfully graduated from his electrician apprenticeship! This major milestone not only signifies... Life often throws unexpected challenges our way, testing not only our resilience but also the flexibility of our financial planning. Recently, our family... As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves excitedly planning for Thanksgiving gatherings and the subsequent Black Friday shopping spree... We find ourselves quickly approaching the end of our budget competition. The past few months have been an exciting journey of financial mindfulness and... Check engine light drama and a flat tire adventure with a sprinkle of gratitude and resilience... Life has a funny way of testing us, often all at once. As the old saying goes, "When it rains, it pours." Recently, we've been feeling the truth of this... Financially, Britt’s new job has brought additional income, which has offset Matt’s layoffs, and we are trying to use any leftover money wisely. Staying...
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