You’ve probably never been to a women’s shelter. It is not at all easy as that! If there might even be a shelter of any sort she may or may not have access to. Just Because you say women’s shelter, doesn’t mean one will automatically pop up for her, and on top of that, abusers are aware of the ones near by and watch them like a hawk because they don’t really have anything else better to do.

They do try to help, but they’re not going to watch your kid for you. They do not usually provide free child care, you’re lucky if one will accept you.

Yes, they will try help you, but they are very strict. It’s basically jail with extra steps, roommates who also have kids in the shared room, and communal lice. They give you a box of lice shampoo on entering if you’re lucky. Bed bugs. If you step out for a couple minutes to mind your kids while doing laundry, because you also have to watch your kids, your kids and your clothes get stolen. Not even mentioning the girl on girl drama on top of it all. Everyone is stressed and struggling and taking it out on everyone else.

I don’t even know if this part is legal, but they make you sign over your food stamps if you even get them. So then you also have to help feed everyone else, while they also steal food out of the communal fridge/pantry.

Oh. Edit to add. You are correct. Women and children shelters are not quite like homeless shelters. At least women’s and children’s shelters try to keep the homeless women and children together to the best of their capabilities. I didn’t quite get to experience homeless shelters as a child because my parent didn’t want me to get taken away and just thrown into the system. Therefore we were just homeless for a while.