What has your ex contributed to school uniform this year?

[surlycurly]

Hello all. Just wondering how other people do new school uniforms. For 5 years we have halved it but this year my ex announced he's not contributing. He's saving his money for his forthcoming wedding. He bought DS a stationary set and that's it. DS starts high school this year. I've paid for new everything for them both (DD already at high school). ExH earns two and a half times what I do. What about you?

Fuck all, same as every year.

Ds1 and dd dad splits everything 50/50 with me.
Ds2 dad however thinks his pathetic contribution forced by the csa is more than enough for uniform.

Nothing. He thinks the maintenance (which hasn’t changed in five years despite a promotion) should cover it. I get told to tighten my belt

I have to pay for everything out of the maintenance. We used to split extras such as uniform, school fees, parties, trips etc but the new GF put a stop to that..

Fuck all.

I don't get anything extra beyond maintenance (which I'm pretty sure is a lot lower than it should be based on his salary now). I pay for all uniform, shoes, trips and extra curricular activities. He barely pays for anything in the way of activities or holidays when he has DC either. I'm really struggling for money at the moment but I'm not going begging.

Nothing.
However he is a high earner and pays maintenance in excess of the CMS minimum. I am also working full-time, so money for uniforms is not a problem

No. He pays maintenance I don’t think I could ask him to pay for some of her uniform too. I can’t even get him to take time off work to have her for a week of school holidays.

Usually we have split uniform halves, but this year he has stumped up for the whole lot. However, me and the kids both know it is guilt money as he used to have them regularly for weekends and now he only sees them for an hour a week.

I would rather have less money and him make more of an effort in seeing them, he has caused them untold upset and tears this year.

Sweet fuck all, same as every year.

Ha! Not a penny.

I don't think that mums earning good money should excuse fathers from paying their fair share. Maintenance is for every day living costs so I don't deem a whole new uniform for high school as an every day cost. I'm
Struggling to get all my daughter needs but I wi t give him the satisfaction of asking for help.

Nothing but I haven't asked either.

Nothing and I don't care!! 2 years ago my ds's saw their df for the who he really is. They live with me ft and nc with him as Karma did indeed catch up with him.
He bullied them, neglected them and tried to blacken my name for years.
They walked out his house at their own choice and never looked back.
They are amazing teens and am so proud of them.

Nothing at all. Has never paid for anything extra as apparently that is what child maintenance is for and the government make him pay too much of that already.

DS has just left school, but for the last 13 years, uniform has come out of the £26.18 a month CSA calculation (no, tell a lie, he refused to pay anything for the first two years, said if I made him pay, he wouldn't see DS - should have taken him up on the offer). Fortunately, I could afford to support him on my own - just for the early years with a big overdraft and a credit card). Through school I have paid for every last pen, plimsoll, and trip, just as I will pay for the college bus pass next month, the A-level text books, and, no doubt, more educational trips to Rome, bloody Classics!

It is tough, and feels terribly unfair (I also know he won't be good for any help with university if DS gets there), but, DS has worked out for himself, who is reliable, who has his back, and who has been there for EVERYTHING.

Nothing, he still can't bring himself to pay up CS.

I don't have an ex (yet!) but as we are in the process of splitting, I do find it helpful to know what others do in situations such as this.

I suspect when it happens, I'll be one of the ones stating 'nothing' as he doesn't buy anything for them now off his own back.

He has bought 2 x school shoes this year, which came to £50 - which is the amount I've spent on Jumpers for DC1.. Not to mention Polo shirts, trousers, bag, PE kit. New waterproofs (that's just for DC1 alone)
The jumpers / polo shirts can only be purchased from the school uniform place due to the colour so can't get away with cheaper supermarket ones.

DC2 is starting reception this year. So far I've sorted out his Polo shirts & 2 pairs of trousers. Need more trousers, jumpers, new bag etc.
Apart from the polos, the rest can be purchased from supermarket type places as no way am I paying £15 for 1 jumper that he'll get ruined or lost before the end of the first day (grin)

I've not bought anything yet but I'll ask my exh for £50 and do all the shopping myself. DS is only in year one so he doesn't need loads, £50 will cover about half of it.

I'm fortunate to have an ex who is involved with DS and helps out financially. He gives me a 3 figure amount every month and extra when I need it around birthdays/Christmas/new school year. I've also had to take a day off work unpaid over the holidays due to lack of childcare and my ex has given me the equivalent of my day's wages to make it up (makes more sense for me to take time off as I earn less than half what he does).

I hate reading about shitty exes who don't help out.

Nothing. But I don't ask as I benefit from the fact that he works in London and therefore the maintenance has a premium on it (I live nowhere near London). His DPs also pay for the DCs activities.

Nothing and he never has.

Not a thing, never does. Usually has form for asking the weekend before they go back so everything is bought already.
He only pays dd's lunch money and has only done that this last year. He complains about that too.

Usually nothing.

I’ve got three to buy for. He bought one pair of shoes once.

I refuse to ask.

I’ve started already, shoes next week though. That’s going to be about £200 over three children. I may need gin, which I have already thankfully as I’ll vertainly not be able to afford to buy any!

£5 each towards a new school bag. That's it

Ive had to spend @ £300 so far. Not bought shoes/trainers/football boots/football kit etc yet.