This past August, my husband and I made the decision to move in with my sister in law while her husband goes through chemotherapy. We came to this decision because

1- we really wanted to help. They have a baby who is not allowed at appointments, so I've been able to be a readily available trustworthy source of childcare. We also pay our part in rent (which helps with their medical bills), help with cooking and chores, etc.

1. We were (still are from debt) financially drowning. We lived in a very high cost of living area and we constantly had eviction notices from late rent. We were in survival mode, basically.

We were happy to offer the help and they were happy to accept, but here's the thing- we are living in an unfinished basement. It's finished enough to be livable. I've decorated, and done my best to make it cozy and homey. Its clean and has 2 rooms and a large enough living space. There's not a lot of natural lighting, but that's fine because we spend a lot of time upstairs and outside. It's fine. Right? I mean... it's definitely embarrassing. I don't really tell the people I've begun to make friends with about it. It's obviously not an ideal living situation, but it's a temporary thing to help both of our families. So it's fine. RIGHT? 😭 I'm so worried of being harshly judged for it. We are really doing our best. I'm also most of all worried about it being harmful to my kids. Then again, my room was a master bedroom closet for a short period of time when I was kid. I don't know. It's just been a huge adjustment.

The hardest part was everything we left behind. We didn't have family, but we had a lot of friends. My kids had best friends we hung out with almost everyday. Their friends moms were my friends. I miss them all so much it hurts, but we just couldn't afford to live there. So now my kids don't have their friends anymore and they live in a basement. But at least we can sort of afford to live. Ugggghhhh

Is this a terrible thing we've done? I will also add, we would have never done this if my sister in law and her husband were not amazing people. They love our kids, we all get along very well and I love being closer to them. So maybe it'll all be fine. I guess I just want to hear from others if this really is worthy of being harshly judged or if I am being overly insecure..?