"Christmas has rarely been a joyous time for me. I'm estranged from my family, and sometimes I don't ..." — Stephanie Land

As a mother living in poverty, I don't expect my parenting choices to be respected by default.

During my last year of college, I maxed out what small available credit I had after declaring bankruptcy in my mid-20s to pay medical bills.

I think people are fed up with struggling to make ends meet. It's so easy to find yourself in a position of not being able to pay the bills for most Americans when we're watching the cost of housing and child care and health insurance skyrocket without an increase in wage.

My life as a mother had been one of skipping meals, always saving the 'good' food, like fresh fruit, for the kids I told myself deserved it more than I did.