I've been separated/divorced from my boy's father for nearly 9 years. My 2 boys are now 15 & 12.
I have a reasonable relationship with their dad, we communicate about the kids and are supportive of each other regarding the children. He has them overnight every Friday and for tea on a Wednesday. He will have them extra if I ask but that's rare.
When we split I earned slightly more than him and we agreed on a maintenance sum of £250 a month. No CSA involvement.
We have both taken them on holidays over the years and he will pay for school shoes if I ask him (I pay for the rest of school uniform) but I do pay out for much more than he does. He earns about £5k more than me now. His mum buys them the odd bit of clothing and he pays £50 a month for trampolining lessons.
I recently asked him if he would consider giving me a bit more money, considering the boys eat more, want more, uniforms cost more. I just find that school trips, exercise books etc and the demands of high school life and the fact that I have 2 nearly 6ft "men" living me with just drains me of money.
He has refused.
The CSA (I know it's called something else now) suggest that £96 a week is about what I should be getting. Which is £416 a month. Ive told him this. Ive suggested £350 as a compromise.
He's refused.
I don't know what to do? Do I push it and take it up with CSA/child maintenance or do I suffer financially but continue to have a positive relationship with him??
I'm annoyed he can't see that £4 per child per day isn't enough anymore?