Thanks SammieJane. I wanted to hear from both sides.. because I know myself, and I know I can sometimes be a lil pig headed.

OK... the step-mum hasn't worked for the 5 years they've been together, but has only just started. And me... until 18 months ago, I've worked fulltime night shift to support my family. I now do 2 PT jobs but my husband is the primary giver, so technically... he pays for DD even though legally he doesn't have to. You'd think a real man would be offended and say "o ****, another bloke is paying for my flesh and blood".. but ex doesn't.. he just lets it happen.

The activities - dancing $200pa, swimming $400pa, softball $150pa. All activities that DD has requested to do, nothing we chose. So the $300 asking is less than half i spose.

I think they see us (ex knows my DH is on good money) and think we can afford it. But it should be about his responsibility. We can afford things because we sacrafice alot for our kids. We don't drink or smoke. Ex and GF smoked up until recently.

When I was single, and needed something for DD that I couldn't afford. I would ask ex for help, but ask him to buy the item rather than give me the money. I covered my butt that way. And when ex worked out of state.. i used to ask him to get his mother to buy it and post it to DD.

Because of all the horror ex-wives out there that do what your DP ex is doing.. I've always tried to cover my butt and proove $$ are for DD.