I have three children with my ex partner. He used to have them overnight, where he would alternate between one night on one weekend, and then two nights on the following. He then got a new job where he works 4 on and 4 off, sometimes days and sometimes weekends. He then started to have the children only on the weekends where he has weekend days off. So if he was working a Friday, he would have them Saturday night and Sunday day, and if working Friday and Saturday, he would collect them late in the evening after work, and bring them back the Sunday afternoon. Due to this pattern, sometimes the kids would only see him one weekend a month. I've always offered for him to see them during the week, but he's had zero interest.
I have been single since DC3 who is 5, was conceived. This was following seven years of being in a toxic and emotionally abusive relationship. When DC3 was born, my ex used to pay £375 per month for all three children. This was with him earning around 36k at the time. He then rented out his house (but does not declare to the tax man) for £800 per month. After I complained about the child maintenance he pays, he begrudgingly increased it to £420 per month. He then got a new job where he said his salary was going to be 41k to start, before rising to 47k. Not long after, he bought a second property. He has now rented out this property also, but been wise enough to keep the details under wraps. I do know he is not declaring this income to the tax man either though, as he told me he doesn't need to. He has nowhere of his own to live, and instead is staying between the multiple women he sees. Yes, he is a hobosexual! He said he is going to continue until he buys a third property. Due to this I've said he can take the children out for days only, until he sorts out suitable accommodation, which he has been very happy about. The kids have probably seen him 4 times since school broke up.
I woke up yesterday to find he has reduced the child maintenance to £360 per month. He said he cannot afford to pay anymore. This is following him going to Australia on holiday for a whole month recently, and two further weekends away to Greece and France. I have just paid for all three children's uniform by myself, as I always do. Due to the hours I work and no family close by, I have to use wraparound childcare at school. I am renting which costs a fortune and it feels like such a slap in the face that he's reduced his maintenance, when I've expressed how difficult things are financially. His response was that I should stop paying for "unnecessary" things such as the kids football and swimming lessons. I am tempted to go to child maintenance options, but due to him not declaring his rental income, I feel he will get away with paying so little. He has 2 other children. One he sees, the other he doesn't, and child maintenance options collect his payment. Please tell me if I'm overreacting?