I'm a single mum of 7. AMA!

[WorldCupSadness]

Scared 😅

I am not claiming anything and I am paying for my dc to be privately educated, I am not rich at all, but I AM GENUINELY HAPPY to pay for her dc - we are a dwindling population. Not even replacement rate. I understand it more daily and I feel grateful to her for doing it.

@HollyhocksandPeonshow odd

What’s your 17 year old’s escape plan for the minute they turn 18?

Maybe because I wrote 'native'?

I would take a grafter any day of the week.

But why wouldn’t the OP be able to work if that was a requirement? In a couple of years when she doesn’t have a newborn and only has three primary aged DC to contend with there’s absolutely no reason why she wouldn’t be able to manage childcare.

I’m also inclined to agree with @HollyhocksandPeons someone has to be having babies.

What is your current field? You mentioned that there are no full time jobs available in that field.

I have no idea if this thread is rage bait, but on the off chance it isn't, I am a huge supporter of the welfare state providing a safety net to people in need. But that should not include handing over 4k a month to someone who chose to have more children than she can afford. I mean, it must be nice to have all that money coming in, as well as the additional 2k. You receive more money per month than my DH and I earn together, and we are both professionals who work full time. Genuine question: do you think that is fair?

And one more question. Do you worry that your children will follow your example by having children of their own whom they are unable to support financially?

Wow. That's an interesting response.

I'm pleased that you are happy to pay for her children.

I'm not.

But children who are born to benefit claimants usually follow in the same footsteps. How is that going to help the aging population?

@WorldCupSadness , do you struggle financially?

Is your eldest doing A levels and planning on going to university? Is the 15 year old doing well studying for GCSEs. Are you supporting them well as far as their education is concerned?
Are they all performing well at school and are you ambitious for them?
Do your children have hobbies and do afterschool activities?
Do play sports and musical instruments?

@chedderlandfocus on breaking the cycle but we can’t fix the ageing population problem and that is where the bulk of the welfare bill is going.

Sorry, this annoys the heck out of me. Not your fault, if it's available, get it. The system is at fault.

@Bananacrepewithnutswe don’t get any benefits and I already say I don’t have a problem with my tax going on the OPs dc.

Because children model adult behaviours. Watching your single mum raise 7 children whilst working and completing a law degree is likely going to influence the OPs DC to do well.

Her eldest is off to university.

I certainly question my tax going straight into landlord pockets because we haven't built enough social housing.

@HollyhocksandPeonsmaybe

And actually aren’t huge numbers of people benefit claimants of one sort of another?

Are you writing off recipients of all benefits?

Which University are you studying at?

Exactly!

You either agree with a safety net or not. The OP gets more as she as so many dc, plenty of smaller families need help too.

Most aren’t claiming 4k a month. Theres something badly wrong with the uk benefits system as many people see it as a lifestyle choice.

Do you feel guilt for taking from my pocket while you recklessly had kids you dont have the means to support ?

This is not investing in the young.

You are deluded

Hi op, single mum of 6 here!

I'm sick to death of pairing socks, what's your sock strategy?