People ask how I manage 6 kids and caring for 3 relatives. I work a second job and barely get time to myself.

Nairavoice | 2h ago 101 0 3 min read
People ask how I manage 6 kids and caring for 3 relatives. I work a second job and barely get time to myself.

This story is based on an interview with Kaitlin Manns, 33, a home health aide and server from Granite City, Illinois.

It has been edited for length and clarity.

My grandpa employed a carer before he died at 76.

And my grandma, 76, mom, and stepdad, both 56 — all of whom have chronic medical conditions — had them, too.

They were wonderful, but they ended up leaving for better-paid jobs.

I didn’t blame them, but it left our family struggling to find cover.

So I decided to step in and do the job myself.

It made sense because I’ve got a nurturing personality, and it felt like the right thing to do.

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I qualified as a home health aide, a role that still requires monthly virtual training, and combined it with working as a server at a restaurant on weekends.

My days are pretty hectic, particularly because I have six kids aged between 2 and 13.

Two of my siblings — both 9 — also live in my five-bedroom house, along with Mom and my stepdad.

Grandma lives in her own home, about a 15-minute drive away.

Thankfully, my husband, Justice, 28, is wonderful and really helps out.

Still, he works mornings at a furniture rental company, so he’s busy, too.

Our schedule begins with him walking the oldest child two blocks to the school bus around 6:45 a.m.

The others leave for their school, and I drop off Justice at his job.

Then I drive to the toddlers’ day care before starting my caregiving around 9:30 a.m.

I look after the three adults at separate times, helping them with things like showering, laundry, and doctors’ appointments.

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On Mondays, I’ll take care of Grandma and my stepdad.

Wednesday is only my stepdad, Thursday is my grandma again, and I work for Mom on Friday morning.

I usually put in 38 hours a week, earning $18.50 an hour, which is paid for by the state.

On weekends, I work at least 23 hours as a server at a bar and grill, earning $7.50 an hour.

I can earn as much as $300 per shift.

I love the job because it’s a Mom-and-Pop business, and everybody knows each other.

People often ask me how I manage to do it all.

It’s challenging at times, particularly because my grandma and stepdad have mobility and memory issues.

There’s a lot of paperwork, too, such as getting Grandma approved for a scooter and a ramp.

It takes a mixture of patience and organizational skills.

It’s very rewarding because I get to be with my loved ones all day.

My job as a carer, big sister, and mom, plus the server work, leaves me little time for myself.

However, I enjoy movies and reading on my Kindle before bed.

I rest easy knowing I’m doing my very best for everyone.

I’m paying my folks back for raising me while giving my kids a similar, loving childhood.

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Nairavoice

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