Sally Redux

I agree the driving is an immediate priority.

Michael

Ditto

Emma M

Well after the way my husband's dad was with our son, I don't like the idea of leaving him unsupervised with him. But yes, I believe that is a priority right now.

SanDiegogirl

Has you husband found a job yet?

If so, can't you rent a small apartment somewhere else?

Michael

Doesn't he ever leave the house so that your son will only be with your husband's mom and you can then drive around the local area occasionally driving by the house to check to make sure he is not back? Until you start driving, you are going to be stuck and miserable.

Emma M

He literally just started one on Monday, not sure how long it will last though

Englishtart

Does your Husband have any other family members that could maybe help out? Even if it's just watching the baby for a couple of hours, that would help with the stress at least, it may even be a way of getting in a few hours of driving lessons.

Is there a vehicle available to you once you start driving, or are you going to have to share the one hubby uses to get to work?

You should definitely contact the local SS office, it might be worth finding out if you have any options for benefits. You could just claim them temporarily, until you get out and about on your own.

Jan Alaska

I would say learning to drive is a priority, then at least if you want to get out you could drive hubby to work and have the use of the car for the day. I did that for a while when I first moved here (same situation, living in his mothers house) and it saved my sanity.

Emma M

No, all his other family are elsewhere. Once I learn how to drive, it would be a case of me sharing the car my husband has for work, yes. My husband just started working I don't think we would be eligible to claim anything,

Michael

If you can learn to drive and find a job, there is a $3,000 tax credit for child care if you both work even if you don't pay taxes. So if you don't pay taxes, you will get a year end refund of $3,000 if child care expenses are equal or more than $3,000. Also if you and your husband do have taxes withheld, you can change your W-4 forms to account for the tax credit allowing you to get an additional $250 per month in your paychecks.

Emma M

Yeah, the more I'm talking to all of you about it I'm realising that that's where the priority should be made. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all of your advice and for reading my rant lol xx

Emma M

I will look into this, thank you! I wasn't aware of it.

Michael

Sorry my mistake. It is up to 35% of actual child care expenses (maximum $3,000 credit).

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Publication-5...are-Expenses-1

You can also get the credit when looking for work.

Guindalf

I also can't offer any advice, but I wanted to offer my sympathies too. I agree with others who've said that driving is a priority and that you could drive hubby to work and at least be able to get out during the day. The snow won't last forever!

I was lucky enough to have great in-laws and we didn't have to live with them when I moved here. No kids and me being a guy helped too!

I hope you manage to get something resolved soon.

jeffreyhy

It wouldn't be easy, and not likely something that you would want to do, but some people have been successful in suing their sponsor for the support required by the I-864. If your financial situation were desperate enough, you could sue your joint sponsor. I don't know whether you'd have to first sue your sponsor and fail to be adequately compensated, or if you could sue them both at the same time.

Regards, JEff