I'd like your advice on how you'd react in my situation. Sorry if anything is vague, I'm trying to remain anonymous (name changed too).
Bit of backstory:
I split up with ExP at the end of 2019 after I'd tried to make the relationship work for a year. He is an emotionally abusive, manipulative, gas-lighting narcissist. I've been mature and civil throughout as we share a toddler together.
I now claim Universal Credit and work part time (on furlough - 80%) and he has so far paid two instalments of Child Maintenance. Currently I'm getting by ok financially but of course everything is uncertain especially as the place I work is at risk of shutting down.
He is also on furlough but was already on a good income and minimum outgoings. He told me since the breakup he has saved upwards of £5000.
Now the issue - before Coronavirus started he handed his notice in at his current job, this notice comes to an end this month. He was certainly in the position to retract his notice as CV hit the UK - his employer would do anything to keep him. His current employer has offered him a job at another branch which he is 'thinking about' but ExP has decided to take a 3 month break instead. He said during these 3 months he won't pay any child maintenance. He was also being particularly vile when telling me this, calling me names and gaslighting me. Because of how nasty he was being I said I won't talk to him anymore but will go through his mum who I have a decent relationship with. He said if I do that he will show everyone on Facebook what I'm 'really like' and tell them my 'secrets'. Obviously, I'd really rather not talk about them here but to give you an example one was that I contracted an STI previous to our relationship which I told him about and had treatment for. The secrets aren't the end of the world, but also mortifying if my colleagues and friends found out about them.
So now I'm unsure what to do. Currently, I don't NEED his money but it would help, especially as the future of my job is uncertain. He is choosing unemployment and therefore a way out of paying for our child who he is already a huge disappointment for. I thought about chasing him legally but I'm pretty sure his response would be the same as if I went through his mum. I could call his bluff, I think he is only trying to scare me, but what if he goes through with it?
I just don't want him to continue to get away with his manipulation, it isn't fair.
Would you call his bluff and speak to his mum, or bypass that and go straight to CMS, or just let him off payments for 3 months and not risk it?