My alcoholic ex-H left to go travelling a couple of years ago - long story but it turned out he went 3000 miles away to meet his online girlfriend. Lots of lies, upset and trauma later, he spends several months there, with her, on a travel visa, so not working. He comes back for a month, does some very minimal token parenting then flies out again (I assume his girlfriend pays). My application to the CMS was pointless - he pays nothing as he neither works nor claims benefits. More upsetting is the fact he's really not there for our children. FaceTime every day, WhatsApp messages, etc. are great, but not really what the children need. They need their dad here, spending time with them. His family don't want to be involved; they're of the opinion he can do as he pleases. Which I suppose is true.
I applied to the organisation connected to REMO about maintenance, but as he's not officially earning, they can't make him pay anything, and I guess no-one can be forced to be a parent, although I am appalled for the children, who miss and live their dad. It's hard, as a single parent. I work long hours. I have a number of chronic health conditions.
Any positive words of encouragement or sympathy will be most welcome.