what am i entitled to

krisskross

monkeyblue wrote: »

Interesting that the OP never came back...

No she lit the blue touchpaper and retired to a safe distance to watch the fireworks.

sazzybum

Well...she's entitled to a free sterilisation on the NHS...:)

happysinglemum

clearingout - I totally agree with you! I was also left a single mum (as you can probably tell from my name lol) by a husband who met someone younger and more appealing... We too had 2 houses, 2 cars, etc and were both working. My DS was 3 at the time.

I returned to my home village (to be nearer to my family) - where I bought my own home - for which I still have a mortgage - and went to uni (so that I would be able to provide for my DS and myself). 5 years later, I qualified as a teacher... I paid my bills with the credit cards that were thrown at me while I was a student and am now heavily in debt and unable to meet the repayments (but that's a whole other thread ).

For the first 2 years, Ds's Dad provided for him, in accordance with what we had (quite amicably, in the circumstances) agreed. Then he met his current partner and they had a daughter. The maintenance stopped - as he 'had another child to provide for now'! :eek: I went to CSA - he stopped working! They now have another daughter - and are totally dependent on benefits as his partner doesn't see why she should have to leave her children to go out to work. His parents pay their mortgage for the (even though the partner hates his parents and refuses to let them see their grand daughters! :eek:) I have to give his parents their due - they have offered to pay maintenance for my DS, as I still take him to see them regularly (but they're both retired and not well off at all).

My parents have helped me as much as they can, but their savings are now gone. I am now in the position where I must sell my house, as I can no longer make my mortgage repayments. I am also having to claim Jobseekers Allowance for the first time ever.

I have managed to avoid being a 'single mum on benefits' for almost 10 years since my divorce, but I just can't cope any more. The shame is almost unbearable. I know it may sound snobby, but I always imagined I'd be able to support myself.

So to have people judge me and others in similar situations can be very hurtful.

xxx