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Benefits...following on from unfit parents thread...

294 replies

anais · 08/07/2003 22:33

Well, who wants to start?

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anais · 16/07/2003 22:19

Webmum and Jude, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you won't be participating any more. I think this has been an interesting and varied debate and while we don't necessarily agree, I have apprecieated reading your opinions.

I haven't been offended by your posts and there are no hard feelings on my part - I hope you feel the same. I look forward to meeting you again on other, less confrontationl, threads

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Jimjams · 16/07/2003 22:43

Anais have you seen the film short cuts? It showed a mother doing the same job in order to support her children. I always thought it seemed quite sensible (if men will be stupid enough to pay for that sort of stuff so be it). The film is good - and the way they show the mother bored- but kind of saying all the dirty stuff just highlights how sad the men are who ring these lines. Difficult to explain but I never remember films- so if I've remembered this from 10 years ago it must have been good!

I've come across quite a few home educators on benefits by the way (on muddlepuddle and the SEN home ed list) I expect you have to, but just wantesd to reassure that plenty of people do it. Good luck!

anais · 16/07/2003 23:09

Jimjams, no I haven't seen the film - maybe I should hunt it out for a giggle! As you said, I don't think it;s such a terrible job, I 'm a consenting adult and I am trying to take repsonsibility for my choices.

As for the HEing on benefit - yeah I have come across quite a few, there is a specific single parent home-ed list and I think most people on there are on benefits. But I don't want to be. It's holding me down and I'm struggling with that now.

What about you? Have you made any decisions about home-edding?

OP posts:
Jimjams · 17/07/2003 08:48

For the moment we're trying school ........... I have grave grave doubts that it will work. If he gets through infants I will be amazed- and that would be a great success all round. Luckily he's starting school just for one morning a week with the rest of the time at nursery so I can keep an eye on what is happening and how he (and the school) are coping. Any trouble I'll whip him out and home ed. I'm putting him in school becuase he does love other children (at the moment), but with his problems I can't kind of arrnage mixing for him all that easily. I also think it will give some time for his language to come on - which would then make home edding easier for me. We have started a home programme as well (just an hour a day). I am 100% certain that for a t least some of his school career he will be home edded - just postponing it!

Batters · 17/07/2003 09:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Boe · 17/07/2003 10:08

Anais - I am sorry I offended you - my friend did mean education in terms of sex education and some sort of education about responsibility (not just at you but other children who think it is acceptable to have children)- she has four sisters and two are single parents that have never worked in their lives and 'accidently' got pregnant - she on the other hand is a single parent because she got involved with a comlpete git who then hit her when she was pregnant and has done all sorts of nasty things since (throwing DSs cot out of top floor window after hiding him - was a good one - she thought he had also been thrown out!!) she said that she really respects single parents who really accidentally get pregnant or split up with their partners but to chose to have a baby (not one but two) without having an income and with no father around she feels is just the sort of steroetype that people associate with her when she says that she is bringing up a child on her own. She also mentioned that she has seen lots of girls make the choice to have a child at a very young age and their daughter's go on to do the same - she said that this is backed up by statistics and that they often find themselves in the poverty trap unable to get out and in many homes like that domestic violence is a rife - 3 of her friends mothers were beaten regularly and one of her friends lost her mother after she was beaten so badly for not opening the door quick enough to her abusive husband.

I think if women knew how hard their lives would be and the experience and fun they could gain from going to college or university or travelling lots of them would not chose to go down that route.

I am sorry to have offended your choice of employment also but I think that kind of think is kind of yucky and feel that it would be completely degrading but then again I am super shy and obviously you are not.

As for the quote about not wanting my husband around - that is my point of view from where I stand and I would never deny him contact with my daughter - after you have been controlled, mentally abused and hit it is hard to remain cool about someone - I do wish he would drop of the planet in terms of my relationship with him and to add a point - my daughter saw some of the abuse and at the back of my mind when I hear about him having a new girlfriend I feel sure that he would not stop himself hitting her in front of my daughter and feel that this is soooo bad for my daughter - will she grow up to think this is the norm and stay in a violent relationship because her father was violent to her mother and then the women in his life after that???? When you hear your child saying Daddy don't hurt mummy it is so hard to actually stand by and let them have a relationship but in a nother way I don't want her to grow up without contact with her father - I think making the odd off the cuff coment is not a bad thing when you consider where I am at the moment in my life!!

I think your first paragraph is a little strong and in no way meant to do to you what you stated - we were obviously brought up very differently and you believe you have choices which I think are just not there for me. To me benefit is there for people who do not chose to step on that particular gravey train but fall onto it accidentally - what I would call deserving cases.

That is going to be my last word on this - I am not a horrid unfeeling person and never try to be vindictive or cause distress to anyone, all I wanted to do was understand why you chose the path you did as the answers you have given to me do not justify it.

And yes whoever said I am going through a hard time at the moment I am, things are quite shit actually but I get through each day as it comes trying to work as hard as I can to ensure that I get to see my daughter as much as I can and can provide for her emotionally and financially - at the end of the day I see it as a blessing that I had my daughter and she is as happy as I can make her and in very good health. Someone said to me today on the bus on the way into work that I must have a very good life as I am always happy - I nearly cried that my life is pants and is not any good at all at the moment as I cannot see my DD when I want to, cannot kiss and cuddle her and tickle her but I try to be a good memeber of society and look after those who need it and try not to weigh everyone down with my problems, I have a house to live in a job to keep me occupied each day and a wonderful DP - but the whole meaning of my life is missing (my DD).

I am sorry to go on but I really did not mean it as a personal attack - I just do not agree with or understand your life choices and probably never will - lets just leave it atthe fact that we are very different.

M2T · 17/07/2003 12:06

Webmum - I understand too. I upset people unintentionally all the time on Mumsnet and genuinely can't understand why! Until it's spelled out to me......Then there is name calling and I find myself dwelling on it for ages! Seems silly once I've stopped feeling like that, but at the time it's a very real emotion, as if one of your friends has just told you they never liked you in the first place! (perhaps I'm exaggerating there). But don't let it put you off, just avoid them for a few days and I'm sure you'll feel back to normal about Mumsnet.

lisalisa · 17/07/2003 12:31

Message withdrawn

Boe · 17/07/2003 12:43

Lisa everything is on a thread entitled Custody Battle.

Thanks for the good wishes.

As you said people have not experienced the same things and I think this is what gives us our different values and beliefs - life would be boring if we all held the same ones anyway.

anais · 17/07/2003 21:47

Boe - I think we've probably said all that needs saying on this subject, we're not going to agree so we should agree to disagree.

I am genuinely sorry to hear what you are going through with your dd at the moment. It must be horrible with not only what's happening now, but all the possible implications. Sending ((hugs)) and best wishes and I hope that everything is resolved as quickly and smoothly as possible. No bad feelings

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anais · 17/07/2003 21:53

Jimjams, good luck on the school front - it's good that you're able to ease him in gently, you might just end up being suprised. If it doesn't work out, at least you know from the outset that you have an alternative.

Best wishes.

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ScummyMummy · 17/07/2003 23:54

Anais- you really are a superstar. I'm so impressed at your great arguments and magmanimous attitude on this thread.

Brilliant post from Custie too, I think.

Personally, I'm unable to understand why anyone can hang onto their anti benefits stance in the light of these posts.

anais · 18/07/2003 00:03

Thank you Scummy, that's a really lovely thing to say - the nicest thing anyone's said to me in a long time. I don't think I deserve it, but it brought a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat nevertheless

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Jimjams · 18/07/2003 09:54

Thanks anais- I do hope to be surprised, but there are also lots of benefits to home edding (as you know!) So I won't be too worried if school doesn't work out.

Best of luck!

misdee · 19/07/2003 23:19

havent read all the posts, but want to add my story to this benefits discussion.
i used to own my own home with my husband, we had a lovely little girl and we both carried on working. we had to sell out home due to debts in dec 01. i then found out i was pregnant again, after i had stopped worked. i tried to get another job but no one would employ a pregnant lady. my dauhters asthma and ezcema got worse, so applied for DLA which we get the highest rate of personal care for. then my husband fell seriously ill with a heart condition (dilated cardiomyopathy) and he also had to stop working. the whole thing took its toll on our marriage and we split soon after the birth of our 2nd daughter. we now both have seperate council and housing assoction flats, are both on benefits, (ex is on long term incapicity benefit), i get my rent paid, he gets most of his paid, i get carers allowence, DLA for eldest daughter, plus income support. i am living fairly comfortably atm, but if i could change things i would. i would lvoe for DD1 to be able to sleep thro the night without scratching or having a coughing fit, would love for ex hubby to be completely fit again, would love to be able to work, but i'm unable to do so atm. until the time comes when dd1 skin and asthma are under control, and i can actually feel comfortable leaving her with a child minder who would be able to administer her creams and inhalors at the right time, would be prepared to put her in the bath when she is very uncomfortable, and also when to give her anti-histimes when she needs them, then i'm stuck on benefits. its not nice lving like this, knowing that people judge u for living on benefits, but there isnt much i can do about it atm. the only plus side to it, is that i'm able to watch my children grow up and not miss anything in the first few magical years.

sarah

anais · 20/07/2003 21:02

Hi Sarah, what a difficult situation for you. I don't think there are many who would condemn you for your situation, although I know what you mean about people judging you, I think that's the worst bit. I'm stuck living in an area I hate and at the moment, because housing benefit is so little, I can't afford to live anywhere else. It's so depressing, and no one seems to appreciate that - it's hardly an easy option. Anyway, I hope that your daughter's condition improves soon.

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mieow · 21/07/2003 16:24

No Sarah, you are a scouger........ (LOL) BTW everyone meet my sis!!!!!! I have added my views on this tread so will not be adding anymore, as I think that noone should judge anyone.

misdee · 22/07/2003 10:37

shush mieow. u know u love joining me down the post office queue every week. makes u feel superiour to me . nah only kidding. i do hate the looks people give u if they see u standing there with your benefit book in hand.
reminds me, gotta fill in DLA forms again. argh!!!!!!!

mieow · 22/07/2003 18:26

Ha, just because my DH works and you are a scouger!!!!!!!! lol......... Anyway, my CTC and WTC get paid into the bank so no queuing at the PO for me so therefore no dirty looks.

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