‘I’ll do anything for my children’: What one Aussie mother says she has to do just to feed her kids
- Replies 18
Content Warning: This article discusses poverty, food insecurity, and criminal activity related to financial hardship. It may be distressing for some readers. Discretion is advised.
Australia’s cost-of-living crisis continues to reveal heartbreaking choices faced by everyday families.
What began as a mother’s quiet struggle to keep her children fed has turned into a stark example of the pressure many are under.
Her story, though difficult to hear, is part of a much larger picture unfolding across the country.
An Adelaide mother revealed she regularly resorted to stealing groceries to keep her children fed, as the cost-of-living crisis deepened across the country.
Nakiah*, a single mother of four living in the city’s northern suburbs, said she felt torn between guilt and desperation as she struggled to afford food.
‘I feel guilt but at the same time I don’t because it’s for my children—I’ll do anything for my children,’ she shared.
The mother admitted to shoplifting at least once a fortnight, describing it as her only option when there wasn’t enough money left for meals.
‘No parent wants to hear your kid say “I’m still hungry” after dinner,’ she said.
While acknowledging that the act frightened her, Nakiah explained the emotional toll of walking through the shops knowing what she was about to do.
‘You walk through (the shops) just watching and knowing I’m about to do something like that—it’s so scary,’ she said.
‘So many people are just brought to guilt and shame to do the wrong thing when they don’t want to.’
‘We can’t do this any more, we can’t keep living like this.’
The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Report 2025, based on a survey of 3,586 people who had received financial or material aid, painted a bleak picture of life under financial stress.
The report found 24 per cent of respondents had eaten expired food to save money, while one in 20 admitted to eating food scavenged from bins.
It also revealed many were forced to skip meals entirely, unable to afford the basics.
Salvation Army spokesperson Robyn Lorimer said families were making drastic sacrifices.
‘We’re finding people would prefer to sit in the dark than put their lights on,’ she said.
‘For some, they’re even having to go to a public toilet or shopping centre just to shower because they can’t justify the water costs.’
The organisation launched its annual Red Shield Appeal with a goal of raising $2 million to support Australians in crisis and prevent them from turning to crime.
Nakiah said the rising cost of essentials—including housing, utilities and groceries—left her with nothing left over to feed her family.
She stressed that theft was always her last resort and hoped her story would shed light on the choices no parent should have to make.
*Name changed for privacy.
Watch the full report below.
Source: Youtube/7NEWS Australia
With more families facing impossible choices just to get by, is enough being done to support those slipping through the cracks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Australia’s cost-of-living crisis continues to reveal heartbreaking choices faced by everyday families.
What began as a mother’s quiet struggle to keep her children fed has turned into a stark example of the pressure many are under.
Her story, though difficult to hear, is part of a much larger picture unfolding across the country.
An Adelaide mother revealed she regularly resorted to stealing groceries to keep her children fed, as the cost-of-living crisis deepened across the country.
Nakiah*, a single mother of four living in the city’s northern suburbs, said she felt torn between guilt and desperation as she struggled to afford food.
‘I feel guilt but at the same time I don’t because it’s for my children—I’ll do anything for my children,’ she shared.
Adelaide mum admits to shoplifting for kids. Image source: 7NEWS
The mother admitted to shoplifting at least once a fortnight, describing it as her only option when there wasn’t enough money left for meals.
‘No parent wants to hear your kid say “I’m still hungry” after dinner,’ she said.
While acknowledging that the act frightened her, Nakiah explained the emotional toll of walking through the shops knowing what she was about to do.
‘You walk through (the shops) just watching and knowing I’m about to do something like that—it’s so scary,’ she said.
‘So many people are just brought to guilt and shame to do the wrong thing when they don’t want to.’
‘We can’t do this any more, we can’t keep living like this.’
The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Report 2025, based on a survey of 3,586 people who had received financial or material aid, painted a bleak picture of life under financial stress.
The report found 24 per cent of respondents had eaten expired food to save money, while one in 20 admitted to eating food scavenged from bins.
It also revealed many were forced to skip meals entirely, unable to afford the basics.
Salvation Army spokesperson Robyn Lorimer said families were making drastic sacrifices.
‘We’re finding people would prefer to sit in the dark than put their lights on,’ she said.
‘For some, they’re even having to go to a public toilet or shopping centre just to shower because they can’t justify the water costs.’
The organisation launched its annual Red Shield Appeal with a goal of raising $2 million to support Australians in crisis and prevent them from turning to crime.
Nakiah said the rising cost of essentials—including housing, utilities and groceries—left her with nothing left over to feed her family.
She stressed that theft was always her last resort and hoped her story would shed light on the choices no parent should have to make.
*Name changed for privacy.
Watch the full report below.
Source: Youtube/7NEWS Australia
With more families facing impossible choices just to get by, is enough being done to support those slipping through the cracks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
.png){kind=icon}
