AIBU to think you can't survive as a single parent without benefits?

[womanadulthumanfemale]

Unless you're on maybe £60 k p/a plus?

Maybe when they are school age but before that it isn't doable is it ... Or is it?

I employ someone who has three kids ranging from 2 to 14, no support from ex, no benefits but does get tax credit I think and works full time earning about £30k. She rents.
I have two kids and am a widow and I survive well on £50k. We go abroad every year, and not to some ‘shitty camping holiday’.
Of course it’s possible as the median household income is less than £30k. That includes any benefit.

I am ok on £30k 2 kids and renting SE. But no holidays at all and now too old for childcare is what made the difference IMO.
Ok is subjective as my rent is high and I get some maintence but not much
I can run an old car and go to the cinema sometimes

Depends if you get CM form the kids dad ? I know some women who get a lot.

With more than one kid not in school yet it would be all but impossible. Unless perhaps you were a childminder yourself (or had free childcare for some other reason) and had your mortgage paid off already. Otherwise you'd need a large salary - like you say 60k sounds about right.

I'm with you op. I earn a decent salary. Enough not to get any benefits and I get maintenance but we are really struggling. I budget constantly, can't buy any extras - can't even afford a day out (apart from freebies).
I do have debt (all from necessary stuff) and now something really important has gone wrong in my house which I can't afford to fix.
I think it depends on your starting point (debt) and help from family / friends as much as anything else.
I'm glad others are managing okay though.

Single parent in the South West here, 2 primary age children. Civil servant who hasn't had a cost of living matched salary rise in nearly a decade. Work 22hrs a week, but term time only so that I don't incur any childcare costs. I earn 9k. I'm in a shared ownership property, I get minimal tax credits, no housing benefit, but I am very frugal. Children's father contributes the bare minimum (self employed so no scope to enforce that being increased). My children are with me 24/7. We manage ok, there isn't anything left at the end of the month, but I prioritise life experiences and extra curricular activities. It is doable, it just depends how you choose to live.