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lilliede81

Question:OUR SON, 39 YEARS OLD, RECENTLY BACK FROM BAGHDAD & THEN GERMANY, STAYED WITH US 4 MONTHS. HE RELOCATED TO ANOTHER STATE & IS LOOKING FOR WORK. 1st MONTH'S RENT & UTILITIES ARE SOON DUE. SHOULD I SEND MONEY FOR THIS OR LET HIM WORK IT OUT?

He didn't ask, but I can tell he's concerned about meeting his responsibilities. He's renting a room in a private home "till he can get on his feet financially" and find an apartment.
Going from military life to being a civilian has been quite an adjustment. He has said that he is not the same person as before the war -- what he's seen and experianced, has changed him.
Being retired, we are on a limited income and cash isn't plentiful.
Got any suggestions, recommendations or answers to pass on? What would you do, and why??

Asked by lilliede81 on 11/16/08 1 Answer»
Lizzie314

Answer:

Are you willing to loan him some money, with the promise that he will pay it back once he gets his footing? I really feel for our troops returning to the country, because they have literally seen hell over there and now they're returning to an America in recession, which is totally different from the America they left. They've returned to home, which is now this bizarre land that they probably don't remember how to exist in anymore. These guys need some rehab before they go back into the world.

Anyhow, my soapbox aside, I don't have kids and I have no idea what your financial situation is like, but if I were in that situation, I would loan him the money for one month and make it clear that I expect it to be paid back within a reasonable amount of time, and make it clear how long I was willing to help until he finds a new job...whether it's one month or three months or more. This is a tough job market and depending on where he moved to he may have a really hard time finding work.
And if he can't find it in a reasonable time, he should move back home until he can find something.

Again, I don't have kids and I have no idea what circumstances you're facing. But I would want to give my kid the opportunity to succeed as much as I could, especially considering the sacrifice he made serving the country.

I wish him and you luck! If he keeps trying, he'll find something for sure.

Answered by: Lizzie314 on 11/19/08
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