Where do I start? I've NC before anyone froths at the mouth 😂 I have 3 primary age children. I'm a single parent after leaving a lazy, work shy, Disney dad 3 years ago. I relocated back to my home town for family and friends support, approx 50 miles away (he didn't turn up to mediation to discover he could have applied for a prohibitive steps order).
Move has helped the oldest immensely as the new school were supportive of the ASC concerns that I had and have encouraged referral and support from CAMHS which has progressed well to a diagnosis of autism.
I have learned a lot recently and have successfully applied for and received DLA and I have just moved into a HA house based on the oldests needs and the impact it has on the younger two. It also reflects the level of overnight care.
I work full time +++ in a professional role.
I have family and friend support (childcare and support bubble for the Covid police).
So I am in a strange position of earning a good salary, with DLA on top and a HA house in a lovely town with great schools and a fabulous sense of community.
But I feel guilty. I feel like I shouldn't have the advantages the DLA gives us as a family (less overtime for me so I can be around more for my oldest and more money for tailored activities when the circumstances allow) and a lovely HA house at reduced market rent that I could never afford to buy or rent privately. It's like an imposter syndrome but in my own life. How do I make peace with my good fortune and how it helps my amazing but high needs boy? Have we really been conditioned that a good income, a nice house and a positive future is so wrong and people like me should be crying into their smart price vodka and wondering how they beat the house via a meter? I've been that poor before (ok not the vodka, I prefer gin!) but I feel guilt that things are going week, my kids are doing well/ok and yet I'm 'sponging off the state' I'm some peoples eyes.