[Marsupialmom]

I need help talking to my kids about waht is going on. I don't want them to freak.

We decided to cut out some of our extras, like Dishnet work, If he is still on strike when the net bill comes do we will do without.

I got a job for the mean time.

There is going to be extra responciblities for all of us.

Maybe I just need some support. To put it bluntly my husband and I are holding on tight and scared to death. We just don't want to let on how affraid we are.

Any ideas to help would be appriciate.

We also homeschool. The kids will stay out of school but we know we will hear it from some family members. Luckly my mil is being surprisingly supportive. She realize if we stuck the kids into school there is no way to get them to and from.

 

[LaLaLuna]

Wow, Marsupialmom- that's a huge thing. I'm in awe of your dh's committment to changing things.

How old are your kids? Personally, I think that kids would rather know than not about what's going on, and being able to be emotionally honest with them isn't a bad thing. Not to say that they need to know you're scared to death, but that things may change for a while and it's a serious thing.

If you're homeschooling (or even if you weren't) how about incorporating some lessons on the history of the labor movement and how unions and workers have done so much to positively change conditions for american workers?

My great-grandfather pulled buckets in a coal mine from the time he was 4 til the time he was 9; kids need to know and understand this stuff and know how important it is to stand up for your convictions.

Good luck- it sounds like you're being realistic and making good plans for tightening your belts for a bit.

 

[EnviroBecca]

Whew! I thought you meant he'd gone "on strike" from being your husband!

I would talk to the kids about the principles involved and the importance of standing up for what's right. You don't have to get into every detail, just the ones they can understand, like, "Daddy is refusing to do his job until his boss makes the factory safer so Daddy won't get hurt."

Present doing without things as an adventure ("Think of all the fun things we can do instead of watching satellite TV!") and talk about how sometimes we give up short-term comforts in order to make our lives better in the long run.

I hope the situation gets better soon!

 

[bestjob]

Definitely make dad and his coworkers out to be heroes who are working to change the world. That doesn't mean his company has to be evil, just misguided...

Let it be an adventure, too. Dad probably homeschools differently from Mom. You can go places on your days off for field trips that you might not have wanted to take before for whatever reason.

I agree with letting your kids know the history of the labour movement.

Best wishes. Let us know how it goes.

 

[kofduke]

My DH just will be going back to work after a 3-week strike tomorrow. It was really hrad on him, particularly since he was on the negotiating team. I hope that the situation resolves quickly, and you'll be in my thoughts.

 

[aussiemum]

Just wanted to add my agreement with the other posters. It is important for the kids to know what's going on, and this is an excellent opportunity to teach about the labour movement. Depending on the age of your kids, you can teach so much about history with this one.

I don't have any experience with parents being on strike (dad worked for the gov't and mum was SAHM), but my ex-partner's step-father (if that makes any sense!) was on strike for months in West Virginia. It was really important for my ex and his bro to know why dad/step-dad was at home, why he was a bit stressed out, and why they had to keep selling things (ie: the 2nd car, the cross-bow, treasured guns and rifles, etc.) to stay afloat. It was a hard time for their family, but they came thru in the end, with better working conditions negotiated by the union. Your husband is taking part in a long and proud tradition of workers taking charge of their working lives, good luck to you all and I hope things resovle quickly.

 

[MelMel]

double post, sorry....i guess i get pretty pashionate about this topic, lol!

 

[MelMel]

yes yes! tell those children how noble he is for standing up, and play some good dropkick murpheys or other pro-labor movement, union, and just good ol' working class stuff!! teach them about the history of the labor movement, and if they arent too young, show them some great films rented free from the library, like norma rae or matewan! go over some great books, like 'in dubious battle' by john steinbeck...i can hardly think of that wonderful story about the early union struggles without a tear....

good luck to you, and know you arent alone! many have sacrificed for the greater good, and may you come out of this better off!

 

[AahRee]

My DH almost went on strike last year, and it was pretty scary for us, too. And one school district to the north of where DH teaches is currently on their 40+ day of striking.

I don't have any great words of wisdom, but I do think you should emphasize to your kids that your DH is doing the right thing and standing up for what he believes in. And please know I'll be praying for your family and for a positive (and quick!) resolution to the strike.