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Original poster

How the Other Half Live

97 replies

expatinscotland · 27/05/2010 21:06

Here we go again!

Working single mum of 4.

Supposedly above the poverty line, living in appalling conditions.

Is anyone watching? Are any politicians watching?

Because this is reality. For millions of people.

OP posts:
Cartoose · 27/05/2010 21:29

I can understand them all perfectly well.

Harimo · 27/05/2010 21:29

I am not warming to the 'rich' family. Don't seem all that rich really, and prioritising money over time with a child...........

And, FFS... doesn't sound like she grew up in Greens Norton, so why the issues of going to SAUF LANDAN??????????????????

I like the single mum. So she didn't plan 4 kids by 4 men??? I didn't plan my 2 by 1 man... so I know it's easy to happen!!

Harimo · 27/05/2010 21:30

4 kids by 3 men. Sorry!!!

WetAugust · 27/05/2010 21:30

... so I know it's easy to happen!!

Sorry I disagree. 4 kids by 4 different men is not an easy thing to happen.

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 27/05/2010 21:30

The rich boy seems a bit boastful.

Original poster
expatinscotland · 27/05/2010 21:31

No double glazing. Must be freezing in winter.

Those boys are well-'ard.

PMSL at used condoms and kid not realising other kid doesn't know what they are.

OP posts:
muggglewump · 27/05/2010 21:32

I know she was with partners, but can't have been for long and clearly her financial position was the same.

This isn't about claiming from the state, more about why is she doing this to herself and her kids. I know how hard it is, I've played house olympics and done the walks in freezing parks as a way of keeping warm, it's no fun, so why prolong it?

Original poster
expatinscotland · 27/05/2010 21:34

But she's not complaining about her situation, muggle. She fully accepts responsibility.

OP posts:
WetAugust · 27/05/2010 21:34

I agree muggle. in some ways she's put her family in this position. She could have stopped at 2 kids and saved a whole load of nursery fees which could have been used to improve her older kids life.

OR

Do you say - well you only live once so just do what you want and muddle through somehow?

Harimo · 27/05/2010 21:34

Does the 'rich' woman have two kids??? Where is the other one????????????????

Cartoose · 27/05/2010 21:35

Rich boy seems quite nice actually, just a bit awkward at the beginning which is understandable. He's learning a lot.

muggglewump · 27/05/2010 21:35

I can understand them perfectly btw, and I'm a northener!
I do wonder why people don't speak correctly (grammar, not necessarily pronunciation) when on TV?

Original poster
expatinscotland · 27/05/2010 21:35

I think the rich mum summed it up. She's been unfortunate in life.

OP posts:
Harimo · 27/05/2010 21:35

Does make you wonder what the 'Poverty line' actually is!!!!

sailorsgal · 27/05/2010 21:37

I don't think he is boastful, he only knows what he knows from his parents and his surroundings.

I live on a new development where private houses are up to 600 grand. I found out today that we have a convicted drug dealer around the corner that set fire to his flat.
It is social housing which I think there are far more deserving people who would love to live here.

Cartoose · 27/05/2010 21:38

Yes. I'm wondering how they determine where the poverty line is too.

WetAugust · 27/05/2010 21:39

I think the rich mum summed it up. She's been unfortunate in life.

I reallty don't understand how you can say that Expat. She's made choices - poor choices.

In fact she has a lot in common with the rich family - both families are risk-takers. the rich for starting their businesses (twice as he went bankrupt once) and the poor family for having children she can't afford and living on an overdraft.

Meanwhile there are a whole lot of us in the middle who don't take risks and weigh up the pros and cons of our life's actions.

Different personality types?

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 27/05/2010 21:40

Fair point Sailors.

I agree wrt the poverty line.

Harimo · 27/05/2010 21:41

Tho, I do wonder why people - even in crap accomodation - don't decorate. How much can a little pot of paint or a picture cost in the grand scheme of things?

But, maybe I'm being short sighted....

Original poster
expatinscotland · 27/05/2010 21:41

'I reallty don't understand how you can say that Expat. She's made choices - poor choices.'

Say what? I said she admitted she chose to have four kids, she just didn't expect to do it on her own.

She does not moan about her situation and she goes out to work.

OP posts:
Cartoose · 27/05/2010 21:43

Oh, that's sad about the passports.

tattycoram · 27/05/2010 21:43

Poor boys

WetAugust · 27/05/2010 21:44

Say she's been unfortunate. She embarked on a course of action that would inevitably lead her where she is now - that's not unfortunate.

Original poster
expatinscotland · 27/05/2010 21:44

That does suck about the passports. Yes, first passports are harder to get. Went through hell getting my kids'.

OP posts:
Harimo · 27/05/2010 21:46

She goes to work.

For that - alone - she deserves a round of applause!!!

ISn't that what we all go on about? People who just sit on bennies... well, she isn't!!

So, for that and the fact she seems like a great mum, she has my vote!!