Trapped due to financial situation

[13MAPARTHELL]

I am so miserable with my partner, the environment is horrible for my children, he has run me into the ground, he has limited me in many ways, and he is not the same person, I am fully aware my kids have one childhood, and I wish to make it the best I can with the little I have.

We are not married, have a 2&3 year old.
He is self employed, I work part time as childcare costs, even with help are too much.
Our rent for a small 3 bed, no garden is 1300, and a 1 bed flat is no less than 800, 2 / 3 bed is around the same as I pay now, all of which do not allow children, or only 1 child and no housing benefit.

I earn 1500 a month, which is pretty good for the hours I work - 4 days a week. I am so trapped, it would be impossible to leave him, i don't understand how people ever do this!!

How on earth 😭

I feel like for years, my whole life will be given to him, and I will be a shell and have kids who have a shit life

Have you run your circumstances through ‘Entitled To’ to see what benefits you would be able to claim?

You would be entitled to housing benefit if you earn 1500 a month

Funnily enough, im doing this as we speak!
Its really hard, my kids nursery recently closed, and there is only 1 available that can take my kids, meaning I have to work from 30 hours to something like 16 due to availability, something tells me I should wait till my eldest is in school, its only September and they have a nursery attached to it, and its a minutes walk

Yes, but the difference is pretty big

Single Mums find a way or make one. Is it easy? Absolutely not but you would as stated be entitled to help. Being trapped a learned helplessness. If you choose to stay when there is support available and you would be in charge of making it work (budgeting etc) that be your decision. Few are really trapped these days. Freedom and closing your own front door with no drama priceless. Good 🍀 luck.

It may be wise to wait until your dc are closer to school age both in terms of financially and them becoming slightly more independent. You have a feeling that this is the right thing to do. You can use this time to plan. Look at your finances, housing, your social and support network and how your new situation will look.