How the Other Half Live

[expatinscotland]

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.

The rich mum said she was unfortunate.

I do agree with her, though.

And it doesn't seem like her situation was any better when she had just the two, although I don't know.

Maybe she valued having kids over other stuff.

She goes out to work and she doesn't moan.

Her kids are well-adjusted and are loved and cared for.

P'rap's she did just have the family she wanted and then accept she'd have to muddle through.
Do I think she shouldn't have?
No, not at all, if she wants to make life hard for herself, then that's fine, but then does she deserve this help?

I'd say no, meanly possibly but I would.

Somewhere along the line you have to take responsibility and I don't think having four kids, when it was hard with one, is.

Not liking either family much tonight btw, and the rich boy's 'what is your favourite holiday', made me gasp. Surely the parents would have told him not to write that?

The poor family seem much more of a 'fmaily' than the rich ones. I don't like what I'm seeing with the rich family and their ostentation keeping a Ferrari on the driveway and roaring around making a gawd awful noise! Would hate them as neighbours!

If you are asmatic, you still have to take an asthma pump, even if it's gold plated.

Well said, that man (boy!)

So her kids don't deserve the help just because they were born to a mother who chose to have them?

Where are the two younger children?

At her mother's, probably, Mollie.

They are going to 'give' them a house, I can see it.

THe 'poor' family have SOOOO much as a family.

If, when my kids are 13/14, I'd take that over a Farrari on the drive.

Those boys are a credit to their mother.

What is 'help'

She's living in an overcrowded flat with 4 kids. Should we give her a 4/5 bedroom house?

Surely the way to help her is to get her skills/training etc to improve her earning potential?

She's not expecting that, Wet. She doesn't appear to be expecting much.

So she had four kids? The other family last week had three and were working poor.

I was just thinking the same thing Bitter. Such nice boys. I love their sense of humour too.

Who would "we" be? She isn't given anything (apart from tax credits) she works, she rents her flat

Perhaps she doesn't want skills / training? Perhaps she enjoys her job. I could improve my earning potential but I choose to work part-time.

I think they have a lot of stability via their grandma.

I guess having a ferrari makes the guy feel he has arrived.

I've worked for very wealthy families but they don't drive flash cars as they think its tacky but its his money and he can buy what he wants IMO. Not my taste.

Surely the real way to help families like this would be to raise the minimum wage?

The bloody dog has just come and sat on my lap - she is too big to do that!

Expat, I wouldn't say that, I'm not that bloody awful, but I think there is probably a more deserving family out there.

Of course this is made for ratings, and to get us watching, and talking about it which is probably why she is featured, but having four kids when you were in a bad financial position with one is pure madness/stupidity.

As I said, I know because I've been on benefits and am now working poor, well working signed off sick, and I don't get it. It's so tough with one, why, why have four?

"We" would be the council tax / income tax payers of this country.

It's all very well moaning about how low the poverty level is set but should the tax payer pay more to improve this family's situation (and all teh other families in the same situation) - because that's what it would take

Yes, well, Mollie, the grandmother also had several children by different fathers. The 'poor' mother explained that.

As for the Ferrari and such, who cares how he spends his money? He earned it. If he wants to be tacky, more power to him.

Well, from her boys.. I'd say she's doing a great job.

FWIW, my DH has 4 kids. By 2 different women.

I agree, perhaps she is, when push comes to shove, happy.

I think they (the rich ones) might have gone into this to push a house onto them - gets lots of publicity for a property developer..

Oh, I'm cynical.

'but I think there is probably a more deserving family out there.'

Because she has 4 kids?

I don't get it.

She expects nothing. She is sorting herself out with help from her family, who don't begrudge her the help.

I don't see how her kids are less deserving because there are 4 of them.

And she's not expecting the government to do anything or moaning about her flat.

Now, she's trying to get a mortgage.

Because she works FT.

But grandma is taking an interest in her grandchildren - having them after school and helping them to do their homework. What would happen if she didn't do that?