Homeless Mother and Children

Help a Mother Rebuild After Being Forced Into Homelessness

My name is Britny Boland, and I’m reaching out for help in one of the most desperate times of my life. Three days ago, I became homeless when my mother threw me out of her house during a disagreement about a moldy dish. I tried to explain to her that I was trying to kill the mold, but she wanted to just put it in the dishwasher, which I knew would spread the mold onto the other dishes, she wouldn't listen, and got extremely aggravated and told me I had an attitude and had to stop undoing everything she was doing. I was super confuised why she would say that, but now I know. While she was visiting America for a month, I had been looking after the children on my own, and I improved the health and nutrition for myself and my children significantly. We were having loads of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed and packaged foods and sugar. I also bought 300 dollars worth of arts and crafts to do with the kids to get them away from the screens. And I made their bedtimes earlier than they were (Mom had them going to bed at 9:30pm!) I implemented a reward system (sticker books) to encourage the kids to do chores and clean up and achieve things rather than playing on their tablets constantly and never learning any life skills. I also rewarded my daughter for using better emotional regulation rather than resorting to extreme emotional outbursts, and it was working. She was calmer, and earning a lot of stickers. I had undone everything unhealthy and wrong with my mother's way of doing things in the house, and she was furious. For all my life, I endured emotional and psychological abuse from her (She has Narcissistic Personality Disorder), but when I finally stood up for myself to protect my kids, she retaliated by making me leave with nowhere to go. She has convinced everyone that I'm just some mentally erratic, unruly child of hers that she is worried about but also angry with for "Talking back"; as if I'm 5 years old. I'm actually 31 and I've had children who are now 7 and 8 years old, and I spent the first 5 years raising them all alone and was doing fine until the stress overwhelmed me and I had a psychosis, which took 3 years for me to recover from.

I’ve faced countless challenges in life, including surviving prolonged abuse during childhood and in adult relationships and battling mental health issues like PTSD and depression (Incl. Anhedonia, Apophenia, Multiple Suicidal Attempts, Disturbing thoughts, and Psychosis), all stemming from a traumatic upbringing. I also have High Functioning Autism. Despite everything, I have been fighting to stay strong for my children. They are the most important thing in the world to me, and the reason I am trying so hard to stay healthy and publish books and start my own businesses (It's costly and I'm only on DSP). But now, I’m in an impossible situation. I have nowhere to go, and no car to sleep in.

My car broke down on the freeway with all of my belongings inside, and I had to borrow money just to get it towed. I’ve been staying temporarily in emergency accommodations, but I only have two more nights here and no means to secure anything long term. My limited income barely covers food, let alone repairs for the car or a temporary place to stay. Every rental around here is extremely expensive, and I can't afford it. Even the house I used to live in has gone up by a hundred dollars per week since I moved out.

My kids are currently staying with my mother, and I’m scared for their wellbeing because of the same abuse I endured growing up (I'm also worried that she will manipulate them and their beliefs to make herself look like the good person and make me look like the bad person; she's done this lots of times before). I’m doing everything I can to find housing, but I need immediate support to get back on my feet and provide a stable home for them, fix my car, and buy furniture and a fridge.

Your generosity could help me:

I’m determined to rebuild and create a better life for my family. Any donation, no matter how small, will help us take steps toward stability and safety. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this campaign would mean the world to us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness and support.

Britny Boland, Opal Boland, and Jasper Boland.

Q: "Is it possible to acquiesce to your mother a bit to at least have a place to stay and see your kids?"

A: "I would say no. She is not like other mothers. She is completely irrational, confusing, aggressive, and her only emotion towards me typically is any level of anger. She is incredibly selfish, dogmatic, and honestly, she probably planned to do it. She's a plotting and scheming kind of person, and I've been trying to leave for months. I just haven't had enough money to afford to rent anywhere, as a disability pensioner, no one will rent to me because I don't earn enough money.

I have multiple disabilities that also prevent me from working a normal job, and am highly sensitive to stress. Honestly I don't understand why I am capable of even doing anything right now. I guess my survival instincts decided not to completely shut down all my functions this time."

I have lived here (NSW, Australia) for like 14 years and only had 3 short term jobs, and nobody else would hire me, due to lack of experience, lack of friends/references and being too highly educated. I didn't grow up in this town, and it seems like once the locals grow up here, they shut the door to any new friendships. The only people who have shown interest are men trying to spend the night with me.

So I've tried lots of other ways to make money, especially online. I tried starting a dropshipping business, but couldn't afford to keep it running long enough to get any sales. I have published a book on amazon kindle and as a paperback, but that was only last week. I know how to do so many things, and know heaps of things due to spending loads of time researching and reading and watching tutorials. I could be a reliable anything, but nobody believes that because it's not on my resume. I could teach, tutor, anything to do with gardening, art, parenting, dealing with mental illness, starting your own business, marketing your business, etc. I can even teach you how to create your own natural, non-toxic hygiene products, or engineer your diet to support your mental and physical wellbeing, how to plan out your financial future, (Knowledge has often been my only friend). I am trying to do everything I can to earn money, but my mental health and financial situation (Disability Pension, Parenting Pension previously) has been a barrier throughout my whole life.

I need emergency help now, but someday I will be a success. I just know it.