I live in an old house and I had the gas company come out & light my pilot on my gas furnace. It kicked on, but only stayed on for a few seconds and the kicked back off. It is continuously doing this. Will not stay on.. I am a single mother of small children with no heat.. please help us..

Take a look at this post. I think it is worth a try in your situation.

This is basically what a thermocouple would look like for a furnace.

Best of luck.
WallyH