5. Common misunderstanding: If tenant has been trying to move out but can't find a new place, eviction hearing judge will not make tenant get out.

Truth: Inability to find a new place is not a legal defense, and judge will order you to get out -- even if it means that you and your children will become homeless.

6. Common misunderstanding: If tenant goes to eviction hearing, judge will automatically give tenant more time to move.

Truth: Sometimes, if there is a really sad situation (a health problem, young children), judge may ask landlord to give tenant extra time. Rarely, judge may require landlord to give extra time. Often, judge will not require any extra time, in part because judge knows that landlord still has to wait another 3 days

7. Common misunderstanding: If tenant gets or gives a 30 day eviction notice, tenant does not have to pay rent during 30 day period.

Truth: The tenant's rent obligation continues for every day tenant is in rental unit, through 30 day period, even though landlord (or tenant) has given a termination of tenancy notice. It is understandable that tenant may need rent money, in order to move to a new place. But if tenant does not pay rent as it comes due, then landlord can give tenant a 72 hour nonpayment of rent notice and evict tenant, long before 30 day period runs out.

8. Common misunderstanding: The landlord may make you pay any unpaid rent at an eviction hearing (an FED).

Truth: The only things a landlord can get at an FED are: 1) a judge's order (called a judgment) that tenant must get out at a certain day and time, and 2) a judge's order that tenant pay landlord for landlord's court costs, prevailing party fee, and attorney fees (if any). If landlord wants to make tenant pay any unpaid rent, landlord will have to sue tenant in a separate lawsuit, often in Small Claims Court, for a judgment for rent money. (Legal Aid has other handouts which explain how landlord must go about collecting judgment from tenant).

Find other options . Look, discreetly, for other means of taking care of your son, some of which may be seeking outside help, alternating caretaking with mother and mother-in-law...etc. There are always other ways of finding a reasonably good caretaker for your baby. For me, I have resorted to hiring a live-in babysitter who takes care of my children when I am working.

Talk to other people about your problem . There will be other people who face same problem you're facing. Sometimes, talking about it to another person will simply make it less significant and put things back into perspective. Especially when someone is someone you trust completely. Just remember to keep an open mind...

Consult other family members . Other people may have a tip or two up their sleeves on how they survived ordeal.

Swallow pill . Take it from me, it is not worth it to argue with your baby's daycaregivers. Ultimately, welfare of your baby is in their hands. You're on losing end if you piss them off. It is simply not worth it. Noone and I mean, NOONE will be able to UNDERSTAND or deal with problems FOR YOU. Pick your battles wisely, smile and bear with it. Sometimes, bearing with it, other parties (like your day caregivers) may start to see something in you and things will starting becoming better. I mean, who knows?