Tax Credits = benefit-dependent society?

sorry if I've offended you, but it just really grates on me to see single parents being branded as lazy, and not doing enough, not working hard enough because they only work part time.

Fair enough if you find life more difficult now because you have other people to consider - everybody's circumstances are different.

But surely you can see that a single parent singlehandedly raising a child, running a house, working 16+ hours a week and studying for a degree once the kids are in bed is NOT lazy by any stretch of the imagination?!

Wouldn't your anger be better directed at people who have absolutely no intention of going back to work ever, and claiming benefits for the rest of their lives?!

"may parents" is the accent coming out?

I think we probably know each other

(no I don't want to know!)

I have enough trouble with the flippion recorder... a piano!

Haha - We still have to go to may parents for the piano ;) Well other than the toy one.

mumutd - haha that makes more sense, I was thinking... 'But I have a three bedroom house too.. '

Anyway, Id better be getting on with all this hard work I keep harping on about and claim to be doing! Theres not been much evidence of it since I logged on to MN today haha.. MNs not going to put dinner on the table!

I know and it's depressing.

I have turned into my mother.

I want to buy a piano. And this after laughing in the face of my friend who (bizarrely) stated "how can anyone with children live in a house without a piano?". (yes I know)

I am the absolute product of my upbringing.

WOHM/SAHM - you are both wrong obviously. It's the M bit that does it.

Oh get over yourself I was a single mother for 2 years and I did the same as I do now. In fact it was easier because I only had to consider my daughter where as now I have a partner and a step daughter to cook for, consider the feelings of, give my time too etc etc. Put her to bed and put my feet up rather than spend time with the other two.

Actually if it helps you with your vitriol, he earns an enourmous salary and i dont actually have to work at all.

ImSoNotTelling - you filthy middlephile you.

Argh, I mean the last comment wasn't directed at you .

ROFL.

I don't think I could bring myself to live there or highgate village or anywhere like that. (Not that I will ever be able to afford it). I would feel like I was showing off

I am a terrible inverse snob actually. Or just a snob. Combo of the two maybe

ok.

FE I certainly would never say that (I know it wasn't directed at me btw). My eldest was in full time childcare from 6m until he started school at 4 yrs and 5mths old.

I can't stand the 'if you are a sahm then you are not setting a good example' bullshit though and I do get defensive .

This last comment was directed at you, just a feeling I get from reading through most of this thread.

Shes not in a nursery, she spent 10 hours a day with a wonderful women in her 40s in her beautiful home with 2 other mindees. The three of them had their own bedroom and beds. Its as homely a place for her as my home... and as any of your homes. Its not an institution.

Innit - Much classier in The Suburb.

southsbelle - agree with you about it being a choice. I have chosen to come off income support. I have chosen to get off my arse and work 20 hours a week. I have chosen to do a degree with OU so that I will be qualified enough to get a well paid full time job in the near future.

foureleven - you now have a partner who also works. Single parents like me are completely on their own. No support whatsoever from another adult, be it financially, emotionally, physically etc. It must be really wonderful up their on you high horse looking down on us part time working single parents who don't work as hard as you

ROFL oojamaflip yes they are minging aren't they.

I saw a prog recently and they were saying that bishops ave is now gleaming bad taste monstrosities and no right-thinking person would live there.

if I had the dosh I wouldn't be heading in that direction. I am more elegant, and classy. Honest.

And its not actually SAHM Vs WOHM debate anyway. I dont have any idea which is better, probably neither.

But I do know if you cant afford to be a SAHM then you shouldnt be one!

foureleven, if your child is spending the majority of her waking day in an institution, then it follows. I'm not saying don't do it. But you can't claim that spending 50 hours per week in a nursery is good for a child. Sorry.

WOHM/SAHM - you are both wrong obviously. It's the M bit that does it.

Yes thats true ooojamaflip.

Same in this area.

I want to rant about the landed gentry instead

they don't have to put the central heating on, they just lob some peasants on the bonfire. It's true.

ImSoNotTelling - that house can't really be on Bishops Avaneue - it isn't nearly ugly enough.

Jesus typos! So sorry -
I didnt start it! I hate WOHM and SAHM debates as much as the next person but come on here and call my child institutionalized and Ill have you!!!!!

ISNT Crazy isn't it, I just don't know how on earth my family of 6 get by in our modest 3 bed detached. Woe is me .

mumblechum - I dodnt start it! I hate WOHM ANS TAHM debates as mush as the next person but come on here and call my child institutionalized and Ill have you!!!!!