Single Parents General Chatter - Dec 2007-Jan 2008

[Ambah]

Hey everyone... just dropping in for the first time to say hi!

I seperated from DP over 2 months ago... I am actually enjoying being single! I feel like I have permission to be myself now, and am finding myself again..

We are living in short term accomodation at the moment, so need to find somewhere more stable. But I hope to stretch this time here as long as possible to give me time to buy what I need, and save up to move (has anyone seen the rental market in Brisbane these days.... eeeks!!)

I am going back to uni this semester too, just the 1 subject though, and I will have Eva with me. But I will try my hardest to make it work!

I am a bit cautious about typing details about my situation or XDP as I am not sure if this would be read by him or not.. hmmm...

Anyway, I shall come back soon!

[pegasus]

Ambah are you in Brisbane? I'm in Sydney and the rental market here is impossible. There is 0.9% availability and minimum rent for a one bedroom is $250+ a week, in most areas. If I'm able to move to Brisbane, I can afford a 1-2 bedder for under $200 a week.

I'm in temp accommodation too. Got 18 months total here and then I don't know what's happening. I'm hoping to move back to Brisbane at the end of the year, if court allow me.

My ex was reading my posts so I made a new account (or change your ticker and username). When I tried to change my username, everyone was on holidays and it got forgotten. Oh well, who needs to be a platinum member anyway? Its only money that I can't get use of.

Hope things look up for you soon darl.

[barbie-up]

What is short term/temp accomodation ? Is that some sort of emergency thing ?

I thought I would be looking for ages as well, made worse by the fact that my old landlord was my now ex MIL - she gave good references though !

It took five weeks to find this place and I took the first one offered - it's $250 a week, three bedroom unit (two on a big block and not connected to each other). It's small inside, but it was all freshly painted and carpeted after the last tennants. Fully fenced back yard, decent size.

I put a letter in with my applications - saying that I was a recently separated single parent, that I have lived in the area all my life, that I worked and had uni in the area, family and school connections. I also put in what I was entitled to from centrelink - PP (single) FTB A and B, rent assistance, salary and child support. The agents that made the offer asked to see something from centrelink with a summary of my entitlements and they were able to print one out for me to pick up the same day or next day. (Never seen them work that quick).

ALSO - for studiers - there is a pensioner education supplement - I'm not sure what the minimum study load is to receive some, I'm currently on part time, which is 50% of the full timers study load. Its about $70 a fortnight and a once off $200 starter payment.

I'm loving it on my own too ! I know when the kids are with their dad (we didn't move far due to Caits schooling) that they have his attention 100% of the time, something they have never had in their lives. And his parents are pretty involved on his side, and that is comforting, because my ex was, and still is a TWIT. I dropped them off last Friday for his weekend and he asked if I could pick them up on Sunday (he does the end of weekend drop) or lend him $10 as he had no money for petrol ... ahem.

My ex does not own a computer and really would not know how to turn one on ...

[Lulu]

Hey girls.

I've been up since 5am to try and get some me time. Also I can't sleep for worrying about EVERYTHING.

Anyhoo, I've been single for a long, long time. I never posted in here as I thought it didn't count as the ex was here all the time and that I had support etc. However I realize I was deluding myself terribly......I thought it was good having a babysitter whilst I WORKED ALL THE TIME.
When I closed my business I told him to get lost because I could see he contributed nothing (well he adores the children) and I could see he had no intention of ever working to support a family - why would you when you have a workhorse providing a roof over your head?????

In any case I have applied to join the closed section of the single parents support as I would feel a bit more comfortable admitting what a total fricken loser I am without the world needing to see it.

[barbie-up]

Is that where people go really unload ? I might need to sign up too.

[Madissun]

Hi ladies,

Just found this thread! Divvy your a legend for starting it!

I've been a single parent right from the word go. I was overseas when i found out i was pg so came home earlier than planned...with one extra present for everybody! I dont get child support as "the Australian government dont agree with the Jamaican government" and therefore wont collect child support from there.

DS father has never met his son. He says he is coming over at the end of July but i haven't heard from him since February... He has sent a total of $600 in the past 20 months, the last being in November last year. Im not expecting him to be in the picture for much longer TBH. His loss...he doesn't know what he is missing and how beautiful his son is.

Lulu2 whats the closed parenting section?

Its nice to have somewhere to chat, especially about dating and things like that. I too have been wondering how on earth its ever gonna happen??

[Lulu]

Go to the memberships section, you have to apply for access and wait to be granted.

Prolly wont take long...

[Amity]

Good on you Barb for having some! I'm jealous! Mind you Lulu2's party was well, ahem, interesting....

Nothing happening in Div land at the moment - back in court on 23 July and will let you all know. I'm sick of being kicked out of my house two nights a week! ARGH! At least the kids are home safe and with my Dad as well as XH...