Hey everyone you might know me as the owner of Pickles the Quaker anyways I really need some advice from people who care, please read and help....

This is my situation: I'm 18 years old and have some major problems: severe depression, an extremely stressful job, parents that I live with but we don't get along and now they have told me that I have to pay them $200 a month just to live at home. They know I can't afford that and they don't need the money and I can't find a new place to live and I don't even have my license yet because I can't pass the drivers test.
But that's not even the worst of it today I might not even have my job anymore. I work at a dog and cat resort which when I applied I thought would be a pretty fun job that would help me on the way of being a dog trainer later. Unfortunately they left some things out in the interview, things like: you miss one shift you are fired (which is understandable because we have so few employees I think only 8 or something like that) and how fast paced this job really is. They literally expect one employee to be able to run the entire building by herself and close the place (you should see the list of things we have to get done every night), as well as getting rooms set up for the new dogs coming in and tearing down and cleaning the rooms for dogs going home. I have worked four other jobs and none have been this demanding. Anyways yesterday I was closing by myself with 31 dogs and didn't have time to do everything. (I didn't even have time for a break at all yesterday in 7 hours) and so when I left I made sure I did the most important things first before doing some things that could have been done the next day. And we have to be out of the building at 9:15 otherwise the cops get called by the alarm system so staying later to finish wasn't even an option. I am a very responsible and hard worker and I just feel like the demands put on all of us are so unfair that I literally couldn't have done anything more than I did yesterday and now my boss wants to talk to me about it and it sounds like I'm probably fired, and employees are constantly being fired at my job. I've never been fired before and I really don't think I deserve it and I'm scared. On top of that I have my parents rent to pay and I just don't know what to do? Please give me some advice, I really am trying my absolute hardest with my job and feel like maybe my best just isn't good enough. I'm sorry this is a novel I just really need help.

Theres so many things I could say!!! For one I really feel for you you dont get paid much Im sure and then your parents want your money. Maybe theyre wanting you to teach ypou responsibility like "paying bills" like on the outside I dont know. But it sounds like you REALLY need a Break. You DONT I repeat dont need to work for a place that treats everyone there like a SLAVE. And if you get fired YOU ARE BETTER OFF! They are obviously insensitive people. How could anyone enjoy a job like that??!! If you get fired consider yourself Blessed!! And walk away with your own Dignity the point being you DO NOT need to be treated like that. The expectations of that place are beyond reasonable. Start looking for something else is my very Strong Advice to you. As for yourself can you get to a Dr maybe your family Dr for meds for depression? They can talk to you and you can go from there. If thats not possible there is Mental health and it goes by Income or No Income and you can get Counseling...someone to talk to and they will help you with ways to cope and Medication for Depression. Life is hard enough and you being so young you need as much positive Reinforcement as you can get. If you cannot get it from your Parents then go to Mental health, the people there are Very caring. I was btw jobs once and stressed with my X and I went to Mental Health got counceling and medication. Thats what we pay taxes for.

You need to have a Serious talk with your parents and tell them how depressed you are maybe they are will be understanding? If Not like I said a councelor will be there for you. I know we many of us here are here for you!! I am and my names Janet. Ive had probs with my kids but its all come out in the wash. Time changes things...You MUST find a way to be strong! PM me if you need to! Your age is sometimes so difficult. What direction to go to, many friends gone or moved away but your way will bc clearer as time moves on.

There will be Members here who will tell you to speak to your Boss ie Employer that may due but if that ddosent work then find another job or get fired either way is a def good thing! NO job is worth being so utterly unhappy.

Many huggs,
Janet x

Thanks so much Janet, I did talk to my boss and I did get fired. I guess I left a doggy door open (the dogs have an outdoor space that is fenced in during the day they can go outside).
But you're right I did my absolute best and other than wishing I had been more thorough in checking the doggy doors I really have no regrets, and I do know that I did my best. I could even go back to the job I had before because I only quit because I thought I was moving and they said when I came back (it was only supposed to be for 2 months) that they would rehire me at Kohl's. I still feel really sad about it though. My dad was so pissed off at them for firing me he drove up there and is now probably verbally assaulting all of them. He knows how much that job meant to me and he knows how hard I worked to stay there, he isn't all bad

You made me feel so much better, thanks a lot Janet

I think a lot of us have been in your position at or around your age. Its kind of a black hole time in your life when you aren't really an adult but you aren't a child either. Granted the law says that legally at 18 you are an adult and responsible for your own actions. However, very few people are truly ready for the responsibilites at that age, especially in this day and age. But don't think I'm making excuses for the younger generation...I'm not.

Have you discussed with your parents why they are wanting to start charging you rent? Perhaps they feel you need to be made aware of what its like in the real world and the responsibilites that come with it. Could this be because you may not have been spending your money wisely and your parents feel you are wasting your money on things that really aren't as important as you yourself may feel are important.

I did the very same thing to my daughter as my parents did to me. You may think your parents don't need the money and that very well may be but then again maybe they do. I know my parents needed the extra money to make ends meet plus it also gave me the responsibility to start thinking about what was more important, a roof over my head and food in my belly and a car to drive or the newest CD or some new bling that I could definitely do without; until all the other responsibilities are taken care of.

As far as your work situation, don't borrow trouble and stress yourself out. Think about all that you did well and have good answers to questions that may arise, also prepare good questions to ask your employer if in fact they are wanting to let you go. Don't whine about how unfair you think it is. State that you tried your best to get everything accomplished but you just weren't able to do as complete of job in all levels at the level you consider appropriate. That you want every thing done correctly and to the highest quality possible. BUT...don't just be blowing smoke, an employer can see through BS. Explain that you did what you considered to be most important first and left the rest to finish up the following day. Apologize for not completing everything and ask them to demonstrate what they would want you to do differently next time should the problem arise again. Just be honest and open to constructive criticism and what not. If you in fact did your very best and you haven't been reprimanded for other things previously, hopefully your employer will give you a second chance. If they do, then ask them to advise you in what they wish you to do if the problem should arise again.

If that doesn't work, and they do decide to let you go, you have two options, you can feel sorry for yourself and go off in a corner and pout or you can learn from the experience and grow from it and see it as a blessing in disguise in that you will possibly find a job that you like even better.

Good luck and keep your chin up, your boss could be wanting to talk to you and tell you that you did the right thing...

I know how bad it hurts to be fired from a job. I went through it and yes, not only did it hurt my feelings and made me doubt myself and my capabilities but it also was the best thing that could have ever happened to me because it was truly a wake up call. It made me realize that I really wasn't happy where I was, and even though I thought I was putting forth my best effort I realized that I wasn't being the best employee, I'd begun to only do the bare minimum and only showing up a few minutes before we were required to be there and not really doing anything extra to help other co workers when they were falling behind etc. It made me stop and think why and I realized that I just was no longer happy there because of conflicts with ohter employees and it was showing up in my attitude and I was there for the wrong reasons.

It took me a while to see that and it took even longer to find the right job where I felt good about being there and liked all my co workers etc. I knew I truly loved the occupation but I was struggling with the personality conflicts etc. And I realized that I needed to gain some other skills in dealing with the conflict. I was lucky and found an office where our personalities clicked, and our boss was wise enough to seek help in getting someone to teach us how to confront conflict in a non threatening and reasonable manner to work out problems before they got past the point that things couldn't be solved other than letting people go.

So no matter what your outcome is, look at it as a learning experience, a stepping stone to better yourself both as a person and as an employee.

Hopefully everything will work out. GOOD LUCK and in the mean time; we're sending you big hugs.

I'm not sure if you're in school or not, but as a parent, I've made the decision to charge my kids rent if they are living at home and not going to school. They can live, rent free, for as long as they want, so long as they are attending school full time. Of course, my kids are still far from that point, but they know where I stand on the issue.

As for the job, very sorry you got fired. In a way, it might be a good thing though. In my opinion, at 18, you should still be enjoying life. Try to find a job that is a lot less stressful and one where you can still enjoy your youth.

In the meantime, let your parents know that you've been fired and that you're looking for a new job. Perhaps they can cut you a bit of slack until you find employment again.

Hey everyone first off, thanks to everyone who replied all of your replies were very helpful and though I was upset about being fired earlier, I'm really kind of ok with it now. I mean one employee who slipped a disk in her back was forced to come in anyway as well as another employee who was sick with the stomach flu.
I'm all for being responsible and showing up for your shifts but that was ridiculous. And no more being scratched and bitten by people's vicious dogs. And no more destroying my clothing with bleach. So really we are all winners. I'm going to still pursue a job working with animals but make sure it is a fun job too

I talked to my family today and I guess I made it sound like they are completely unreasonable and they aren't, we have been fighting a lot lately but we are a very loving family and we all had a heart to heart talk and the rent idea has been dropped (It was more because I wasn't pulling my weight around the house and I'm going to try really hard to fix that from now on). We went to the movies today and it was really fun.

Also I'm in counselling already and have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder too so but we are working towards a treatment plan for that.

So things are looking up, and I was very upset when I started this thread but talking to my parents and reading your replies has helped immensely thanks everyone

((HUGS)) I hope you feel better now sometimes we just need to get it all out , you have got some very good advise from members here , isn`t it such a great place.. Best of Luck for the future , don`t dwell on the past look forward and you will be fine..Believe in yourself..

Awww Im so relieved for you! Fantastic!! Bless you!
Sorry if I came on strong...Motherly advice!
Heres some more huggs for you xxx

Hugs and prayers your way. Time is a gret healer Heres hoping that things will go your way soon.