Child maintenance

[Teantoast1]

Me and my ex have been broken up for 3 years now, he does pay a private agreed amount every month for child maintenance, however he is due to have another baby in 6 weeks and the closer the time is approaching I’m worried my child will be left out financially,would it be wise to involve csa?

But why should you do something just because it's not impossible? When I was a single parent I worked part time because trying to sort childcare for 3 kids plus the logistics of getting them places and school holiday childcare was just too much for me. Yes I was topped up by benefits but surely single parents are the ones who need the most help from the system because they don't have another adult there to help.

Of course the OP is entitled to not work more hours but then she needs to cut her cloth accordingly. If she wants more money she needs to earn it the same as everyone else. If she chooses to work part time then she makes the financial decisions to make that possible… that doesn’t include asking for more money off her ex (who already pays more than the minimum willingly)

Agree. I’m a single mum of two who works full time and gets no benefits (and my ex only pays about the same as ops for two kids). Op can work more if she wants more money. If she doesn’t, fine but then she will need to budget accordingly

Of course she doesn't have to work full time. But then you have to adjust your living to fit that.

Same here. When my kids were small I worked part time because being around for them was more important. It meant less treats and more free activities but it was a sacrifice I made. Now they are older and don’t need me as much I work full time and if I need more on top of that (because being a single income household is tough) I work overtime or pick up a second job. At all stages my lifestyle choices ( for me and the kids) have reflected my budget