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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be devastated & depressed to be part of the "working poor"?

189 replies

PhoenixMama · 10/12/2016 09:14

I guess what it says in the title. I'm a single parent, I have a salaried job (totally average pay), work 40-50 hrs a week and I can barely keep a roof over my head. This year I've had to tell my DD (7) that we can't afford a Xmas tree (one of our usual traditions). I live in London so rent is high but if I move further out for a cheaper flat then I have higher commute & childcare costs.

My exh has her 4 nights a month (every other weekend) and pays minimum child support plus half her activities. He won't take her more because "he has to work" Hmm He has a new partner & they're constantly off on holidays or weekends away or out doing nice things (never with DD!) My friends are all coupled and tend to live very comfortable lives.

I'm just devastated that despite how hard I work (and I'm very respected in my job), juggle all of the parenting, all of the childcare, almost the entire financial responsibility for my DD (and def all the emotional responsibility) I'm struggling so much. It's definitely gotten harder over the last 5 years and I feel like something's got to give but there's nothing left. I've spoken to StepChange and I get everything I'm entitled to (a bit of London weighting HB but no other benefits) and I just feel like such a failure and so down about my life. I guess I just don't know what to do to make things better and this time of year makes it so much worse.

OP posts:
Badcat666 · 10/12/2016 19:26

Rufus and LyingWitch

I think it's my hormones but your offers to the OP have made me burst into tears. You bloody lovely peeps you .. Star

Sending you Flowers and hugs OP. My family were very poor growing up but somehow my mum made every xmas the best JUST because she was MY MUM and I knew she loved me and my siblings. Your little girl KNOWS you love her. Please don't beat yourself up. hugs T

And one year we didn't have a tree so made one from branches and twigs we found in the woods and stuck in a bucket! Grin (it must have looked so shit covered in cheap tinsel and dodgy fairy lights LOL!)

Waggy I'm strapped for cash and don't have 3 months savings as I haven't had a pay rise for over 7 yrs and all my money goes on keeping a roof over my head, and bills paid. Fuck I can't even afford to mend my boiler and not had a holiday for years. Count yourself bloody lucky you don't have to stress and worry about your cashflow. You have made me so cross. A dehydrated slug has more empathy than you do.

Badcat666 · 10/12/2016 19:28

Oh and OP... the best memories I had as a kid at chrimbo was making paperchains, glitter twigs and snowflakes from old wrapping paper to put in the windows.

PlymouthMaid1 · 10/12/2016 19:31

I was going to suggest getting branches as well. Make it a project.I have had the same fake one from Tesco for ten years or so.

UnbornMortificado · 10/12/2016 19:36

Badcat that sounds amazing. I'd rather my children had that childhood then one without empathy or kindness.

Money is no substitute for love although I won't lie it comes in handy.

OP I said similar on a thread yesterday but I've been in a similar position. I was lucky to have family to help and not everyone has that luxury. I hope you haven't taken the nasty comments to heart.

TooMinty · 10/12/2016 19:45

Waggymama pops up on every thread to offer "helpful" advice about savings funds - she seems to be a cross between Martin Lewis and Katie Hopkins...

UnbornMortificado · 10/12/2016 19:52

As I was typing that my gas went off as my bath was running. My mams had to transfer me a tenner till Monday Blush

Not that I need to justify it but I'm skint off three days extra hospital parking and three 30 mile roundtrip journeys to get to said hospital with DD1.

It never matters how much planning or saving you do real life can get in the way sometimes.

Badcat666 · 10/12/2016 19:57

UnbornMort Thank you. Smile We were poor but I never felt I was missing out, we always had things to do and pressies (even if they were homemade or up cycled (before it became trendy)) and a bloody lovely xmas meal to fill our tums up!

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 10/12/2016 19:59

Sounds like a lovely christmas bad

I said to my children that this year we could not have presents and just have a nice meal and play games

You should have seen their faces Grin

Mabelface · 10/12/2016 20:04

You have my sympathies. I'm also working poor, and I live alone. I just about manage to pay my rent and bills and feed myself, although that's not always easy and I eat badly towards the end of the month. Christmas is shit this year.

PhoenixMama · 10/12/2016 21:28

I've just caught up with the thread and I'm all teary & choked up. Thank you all for your incredibly kind messages and suggestions.

I spent the day Christmas baking and eating bakes with DD. (£1 butter & £0.92 sugar, I already had the flour, in case you're keeping track Waggy)

We had fun with the Xmas music playing, dancing around the kitchen. It's cheered me up immensely.

And on top of it, my best friend today offered to get me a tree as my Christmas present Grin So we will be rockin' around the Xmas tree soon enough.

I can't tell you how much your comments, commiserations & suggestions have meant. Thank you.

OP posts:
UnbornMortificado · 10/12/2016 21:37

Pleased your getting your tree 🎄

Glad the knobhead posts didn't upset you.

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 10/12/2016 21:38

Yay christmas tree !!!

Grin

Have a good one Phoenix

Badcat666 · 10/12/2016 21:45

YAY FOR TREE!!!! hugs

and yay for christmas baking and mad dancing in the kitchen!!

(tis sometimes the little things that can cheer you up)

So glad you are feeling a bit better!

(and to all the knobheads, may the christmas elves shove a star somewhere painful and hard to remove)

sprinkles happy chrimbo joy dust in a haphazard manner over everyone else like a short fat happy xmas fairy

ItShouldHaveBeenJingleJess · 10/12/2016 21:49

Lovely news, phoenix - it's days like today that your DD will look back on fondly, not mountains of 'stuff'. You're doing a wonderful job, with the bare minimum of support, so be very, very proud of what you are achieving, every single day. Wishing both you & DD a Merry Christmas Xmas Smile

ItShouldHaveBeenJingleJess · 10/12/2016 21:51

(Thank you, badcat - feel all twinkly and sparkly now)

Ineedmorelemonpledge · 10/12/2016 22:20

Lovely update Phoenix hope you and your DD have a most wonderful Christmas Xmas Smile

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 10/12/2016 22:37

Sounds like you had a lovely day with your daughter, Phoenix, that's what she'll remember... dancing madly and baking with you at Christmas time. Those memories are absolutely priceless. :)

Maisy84 · 10/12/2016 23:04

Are you in west London by any chance? Someone in my area is looking to get rid of a fake Christmas tree, I know not the same as a real one but apparently it lights up. It sounds hard and like your ex needs to be taking equal financial responsibility for your child, hard to enforce though.

Maisy84 · 10/12/2016 23:05

Sorry just seen you have one, good!!

FeralBeryl · 11/12/2016 01:22

Yaay for tree giving idea!
I was going to suggest spray painting some branches and tie together and get some baubles from the pound shop ( ours have got so many really nice things atm including little pressies DD may like)
Sounds like you're well in the Christmas spirit now - because that's what it's all about , singing, love and fun, not expense.
Happy to send you some lights down if you want too, we found last years after I replaced the fuckers.

Shame on those thankfully few of you who cannot empathise with a decent, hardworking parent who has fallen upon hard times.
Season of goodwill anyone?

There but for the grace eh Hmm

HelenaDove · 11/12/2016 02:45

"A tree is a major symbol of Christmas"

Well so is goodwill to all men Waggy and yet im seeing fuck all of that from you!

HelenaDove · 11/12/2016 02:53

So glad your friend is getting you a tree OP. Wishing you and your DD a Merry Christmas. Xmas Smile

Manumission · 11/12/2016 03:00

I thought a staycation was when you stayed in your house with a paddling pool and made crap cocktails? Maybe squeezing in a visit to the local museum you've never got round to seeing?

More than one poster is applying it to UK city breaks with swimming pools! When did this happen? Confused

I know. I'm missing the point by miles Blush

goldielookingchain · 11/12/2016 03:31

Get on eBay / Willis and get a small tree. She's only 7! You could pick one up for £5-£10

creakyknees13 · 11/12/2016 07:52

I thought a staycation was when you stayed in your house with a paddling pool and made crap cocktails? Maybe squeezing in a visit to the local museum you've never got round to seeing?

Especially during the credit crunch, the term was widely used in the media to describe holidaying in the UK rather than going abroad. I have never heard it used in the sense that you describe, although that sounds quite fun too.