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What Do We Do Now?
How to Survive a Spouse's Job Loss
By Teri Brown
Klippel believes that it is better to have a family discussion about the issue as soon as both parents are able to speak calmly about it. "The children need to know that Mom and Dad are working together to sort out the problem, but that they are loved and cared for," says Klippel. "Children often are able to offer suggestions about ways that they can help out or ways that the family can save money."
You can reassure your children by allowing them to be involved in the job hunt in age-appropriate ways. Young children can help put stamps on envelopes while older children can learn to take telephone messages or look over help wanted ads in the newspapers.
"Parents in this situation have a golden opportunity to teach valuable life lessons during job loss," says Klippel. "When children see their parents face a challenge with love, teamwork and faith, they learn how to cope with challenges in their future."
The greatest stressor when dealing with job loss is the loss of money. Those who have severance packages have some breathing room before the panic sets in; others aren't so lucky and have to rely on whatever savings they've managed to accrue or unemployment benefits.
Job loss often means a family needs to be very creative in making ends meet. The Stevens family, for example, made an about face when it came to expenses and learned that a little can go a long way. "Evaluate honestly what things you need and what things you want," says Amanda. "Be prepared to give up the things that you want for the things that you need."