to think that if single parents get benefits to SAH then so should co-hab parents?

[angelswithdirtyfaces]

If its ok for single parents to choose to SAH (on benefits) then parents co-haibiting should have this choice too?

Yes but not on single parent benefits as they are not single parents.

i can see your point if these people are doing it by choice, then why shouldnt others, but i think this thread may kick off

But surley there should be the same choice?

o-habiting parents are not single parents. They live with someone that brings in an income, single parents are single and don't have this. It's harder for a single parent as they don't share the expenses of having a home and children with anyone else. I get maintenance which does not cover a quarter of what I spend on ds.

It is not the same. To be left alone bringing up your children is not the same as living with a supportive partner. You don't get the same support, it is unlikely someone would be able to pick up the slack if your job goes a hour or two over school hours etc. Whereas with co-habiting couples there are two people working towards the same goal. It is not at all the same. These threads are so ignorant.

Blimey not another one.

It appears to be Single Parent witch hunt today on MN. Nice.

oh fgs - are you bored tonight or something?

The majority of single parents didn't choose to be single, and the majority would go out to work if it made financial sense for them (ie they wouldn't be bringing in less money than they currently get on benefits).

Getting really fed up of these "tar everyone with the same brush" threads/mentality because the tabloids like to report it to make it seem like everyone is making a "lifestyle" choice out of it (hardly a great lifestyle if you ask me..........)

I'm with you angels, but forevercleaning is right, it will kick off.

lol at lifestyle!
What life? The one that takes ds to school in the morning, goes to Uni/home to work, picks him up, cooks the tea then puts him to bed before doing more work?

i dont agree that co habiting people should get the same amount of money as a single parent, but i do think that the tax credit/housing benefits threshold should be changed, it seems if one partner works in a fairly low paid job there is very little help available

There is no comparison so its pointless coming out with such ill thought out statements. Except to cause trouble.

Lots of co-hab couples are forced to both work full time. Lots of parents would like to SAH or work part time but can't.If single parents have the choice to SAH, why oh why can't at least one parent.

I know it must be hard being a single parent BUT lost of single parents get time off when their ex has their DC.

Lots of single parents don't have the choice to be SAHM's either. It depends on individual circumstances.

jeez single parents only get fucking £60. plus about £45 tax credits plus child bens.

thats IT. they don't have someone else 'there' to earn any more, they often get NO money from the fathers. They are the ONLY carer, 24/7. dealing with everything. From menial to backbreaking tasks, with noone to ask/help. Do you think they feel like they are getting PAID or something.
Dealing with kids who might not even see their dads, who go thru trauma, mentally and emotionally. Then at the end of the day, a single mum can sit down, happy she got thru another day, having found another bargain, having managed to get thier kids to sleep. Then it's downstairs to sit alone, or come on here.

lots of co-hab couples are forced to work, single parents have a choice..

what a cunting load of shit

and all single parents have supportive exes that have the kids.. oh yes life of riley.

Look, I DO want to debate this as I find it incrediable that we have such an unfair system in this country. If this makes me a troll, troublemaker, bored then so be it....
It does make me wonder why we can't have a sensible debate without.....oh fuck off or stop being unfair etc etc {hmm]

PMSL!! Time off?? The ex doesn't see dc apart from once a year. There are alot of single parents like this. It doesn't have anything to do with having time off. Can you imagine trying to ru your house, feed and clothe your child, keep them warm etc with one income?

You shouldn't criticise someone else unless you have walked a mile in their shoes. Give it a go and see how you do.

Piratecat sums it up exactly. Only tonight they get to come on here and read loads off resentful crap about themselves on these crappy threads.

I don't think that all single parents have a choice but at least SOME do.

Phantom

Yes - we have one income.

And some co-habiting families have a choice. Not all of them are badly paid. At least one of them can go and earn some extra money if they need to and not have to worry about who's going to look after the children.

So What? And co-habiting couples in general have many, many more choices than the average single parent. Have you ever been a single parent? I have and its fucking hard work. So till you have done it stop talking crap.

phantom its not as easy as just going to earn extra money