u/Prior-Pain4614

I’m a 19-year-old single mom with a toddler, and I’m feeling completely overwhelmed. I’ve basically been on my own since I was 17, so I don’t really have parents I can rely on. My mom and dad aren’t in a position to let me and my son live with them or help with childcare.
Right now, my son and I are staying with my friend’s family while I work and save to get our own place.
When I first moved in, my son’s father and my friend’s mom made an arrangement that he would pay for childcare while she watched our son. However, they eventually had a falling out, and now he’s gone back on what he agreed to. He has also been neglecting to contribute financially in general. He only gives very small amounts occasionally, and I don’t beg him for moneyI work and do what I can to provide for my son.
The problem is that the childcare bill has continued to grow because he isn’t paying. I’ve offered to pay what I can myself, but my friend’s mom refuses to accept money from me and insists that my son’s father is the one who should pay.
What worries me even more is that while I was at work, my toddler managed to get out of the house, wandered onto the road, and even reached the next street before he was found. Thankfully he wasn’t hurt, but it really scared me and made me question whether my son is being properly supervised.
I’ve been working, saving, and looking at semi-furnished apartments because I want to create a stable home for my son. The problem is that I feel unprepared. I’m afraid that moving out could end up being a huge financial mistake if I can’t keep up with rent or unexpected expenses. At the same time, staying here is becoming emotionally exhausting, and I feel like having my own place would make a huge difference for my peace of mind and give me more control over my son’s environment.
I feel stuck between two difficult choices: stay longer and save more while dealing with a stressful living situation, or take the risk and move out before I feel completely ready.
If you were in my position, what would you do? Would you move out or wait? I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who’s been through similar

I’m a 19-year-old single mom with a toddler, and I’m feeling completely overwhelmed. I’ve basically been on my own since I was 17, so I don’t really have parents I can rely on. My mom and dad aren’t in a position to let me and my son live with them or help with childcare.
Right now, my son and I are staying with my friend’s family while I work and save to get our own place.
When I first moved in, my son’s father and my friend’s mom made an arrangement that he would pay for childcare while she watched our son. However, they eventually had a falling out, and now he’s gone back on what he agreed to. He has also been neglecting to contribute financially in general. He only gives very small amounts occasionally, and I don’t beg him for moneyI work and do what I can to provide for my son.
The problem is that the childcare bill has continued to grow because he isn’t paying. I’ve offered to pay what I can myself, but my friend’s mom refuses to accept money from me and insists that my son’s father is the one who should pay.
What worries me even more is that while I was at work, my toddler managed to get out of the house, wandered onto the road, and even reached the next street before he was found. Thankfully he wasn’t hurt, but it really scared me and made me question whether my son is being properly supervised.
I’ve been working, saving, and looking at semi-furnished apartments because I want to create a stable home for my son. The problem is that I feel unprepared. I’m afraid that moving out could end up being a huge financial mistake if I can’t keep up with rent or unexpected expenses. At the same time, staying here is becoming emotionally exhausting, and I feel like having my own place would make a huge difference for my peace of mind and give me more control over my son’s environment.
I feel stuck between two difficult choices: stay longer and save more while dealing with a stressful living situation, or take the risk and move out before I feel completely ready.
If you were in my position, what would you do? Would you move out or wait? I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who’s been through similar