“We told them Thanksgiving is probably not happening, and maybe even Christmas if this continues,” Kia Thompson tells PEOPLE exclusively

Kia Thompson is opening up about the difficult decisions she and her family have faced since she was furloughed amid the government shutdown.

Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE, the veteran and mother of four shared how her kids have reacted to the sudden change.

“At first, they kept asking, ‘Mommy, did you lose your job? Are you fired? Why aren’t you going into work? When are you going to work?’ ” the San Antonio, Texas, mom tells PEOPLE. “I just kept telling them, ‘I’m not working right now.’ ”

Since then, Thompson, 31, says she’s explained to her children — who range in age from 6 to 11 — that things are going to look very different, especially with the holidays approaching.

“We told them Thanksgiving is probably not happening, and maybe even Christmas if this continues,” she says. “This year, we’re just going to do what we can, but it’s not going to happen like it normally would because it’s not feasible right now. We have to focus on what’s important.”

“We’ve had to reach out about bills and make some really hard decisions,” she adds. “My kids are in basketball, they have field trips coming up that cost a lot, like a science camp that’s due next week. I’m trying to hold off because I just don’t know what’s next.”

The exhaustion and frustration of keeping the household running are taking a toll. “It’s like we work so hard, every time, and it’s just sad because nobody hears us or sees us,” Thompson says.

Thompson’s lease was up in November, and before the shutdown, they were in the process of buying a house, as paying rent didn’t make sense. But since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, their plans have been derailed.

“That has completely stopped,” she says. “And just to be clear, people might say, ‘Well, you had money for a house, how are you not surviving?’ I’m a veteran, so I get a VA loan, which helps a lot, but everything has completely halted.”

“Right now, it’s hard, and we feel like the worst parents in the world,” she continues. “But you can’t stay in the thick of it for your kids. You just have to stay strong and do what you have to do. I promise you, I’m out here DoorDashing, doing what I have to do for my kids. That’s all that matters at the end of the day.”

@kiaashlee2025 Thank you for the grace today. I’m a furloughed federal employee, mom of 4, and it’s Day 31 with 2 checks missed. We don’t need more party fights we need compassion. I can’t wait to show you our Halloween later 🎃🧡 #furloughed #governmentshutdown #federalemployees #momsoftiktok #momtok ♬ Reflection on Peace – Adauto Assis

@kiaashlee2025 Sometimes the hardest seasons remind us of what truly matters. Even when you’re the one in need, it’s powerful to still show up for others. I’m grateful for the chance to serve — even in the middle of the storm. 🙏#furloughed #governmentshutdown #momsoftiktok #federalemployees #dayinthelife ♬ suono originale – tayloewe

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