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thread: Probably at the lowest point in my parenting journey

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Add ~clover~ on Facebook

    Sep 2007
    travelling
    9,557

    Probably at the lowest point in my parenting journey

    I have to drain my kids savings accounts. To feed them.

    X has owed me $100 since christmas. He was working flat out til then, but needed to borrow $100 from me.

    I haven't pushed it to get the money back. He hasn't been back to work til now (bull**** excuse, but anyway)

    Now I need the money. I warned him on Thursday last week. I bought us a fridge & need that $100 to cover food for the kids. Sure, he would get the money to me on Monday. Not til the afternoon, but with the 3 hour time difference, still time for me to get my shopping done.

    Then a message to say he can't. He knows we need food. He knows exactly where I'm at.

    Of course I had a go at him. I get a message back telling me if I'd stop partying I'd have money, & that I wanted the single life, I need to deal with it.

    What a joke! HE was out partying this weekend. According to facebook woke up not knowing where he was! So I can only imagine where the money went for the kids food

    Anyway. I already borrowed money from the kids accounts for petrol to get the fridge. Now I have to borrow the rest just to feed them I only started them a few months ago. They just got over the $100 mark (Just the 2 older girls) & I have to take it, then somehow pay them back

    I feel disgusting.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Aug 2007
    Sydney
    1,691

    You are doing the very best you possibly can for them. You are not disgusting, you are strong and a great mother. Please know that.

    Sending all my love and strength to you.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Feb 2006
    NSW Central Coast
    5,301

    You are doing what you need to hun. Don't feel horrible. It isn't your fault. Your X needs to take the blame too.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Apr 2006
    Perth
    4,203

    There's nothing disgusting about your behaviour, and nothing to be ashamed of. You're doing a fantastic job looking after your kids solo. My mum was a single mum from very early on in my life and I have nothing but admiration for mums on their own.

  5. #5

    May 2008
    Melbourne, Vic
    8,631

    Oh hun, I'm so sorry you are going through all this.

    I don't really have any words of wisdom I'm sorry... I just think you should keep in your mind that you are doing this for them. It is temporary and one day you will pay them back. One day.

    Read the title of your thread: "Probably at the lowest point". The only way is up.

    Hang in there xxxx

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    Brisbane, QLD
    5,171

    you are not disguting. You are doing the best you can with what you have.
    That money was for your kids, you spent it ON your kids. Sure, it would have been better if you didn't have to use it, but it it's more important that you feed your girls than have the money sitting in a bank account. And like you said you can pay it back later.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    May 2008
    where the V8's roar
    1,855

    I agree with the others you are not disgusting. Having an account of thier own is a bonus not a given. If you need that money then you use it. This does not make you a bad mother, you are doing the best thing by them. My mum was also a single mum and I you are doing everything you can to keep your head above water. They need to eat, not have $$ in a bank

  8. #8
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Apr 2010
    In the mad house at loopy land
    1,230

    I to agree with everyone else. Your doing what you should as a mother which is....do what you need to to feed your children. Dont you ever feel bad for that xxx

  9. #9
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Mar 2008
    Vic
    4,806

    There will be plenty of time to put it back before your kids need it. We had to do it over the Christmas holiday break. We drained all of our savings and DD's too because DH had no work coming in. For five weeks we had no income and somehow we needed to survive. It feels terrible, I know. But you do what you need to do. We will put it back in DD's account slowly but we will do it, even if it's $5 each week. Hang in there. You're doing a wonderful job getting going in your new beginning

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Mar 2006
    4,542

    You are doing an amazing job and there is nothing disguisting about a mum using the money to feed her kids - regardless of where it came from - but I do understand you feeling terrible about it

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    Melbourne
    3,244

    there are plenty of things you could have used that money for that i might have said was pretty low, but using it to feed them is in no way disgusting or something to be ashamed of. even moreso when you were driven to do it because their father did not provide the money he should have.

    you are doing the absolute best you can for your kids & you know the move was the right one & better for you & the kids. you should be proud of yourself at the moment & not feeling bad. hang in there

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    I couldn't have said anything better than anyone else. You are doing a wonderful job.

    There is a disgusting part of the equation - but rest assured honey - it's not YOU.

    Big big hugs.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    Off with the fairies.
    4,370

    You're doing fantastic, honestly. Try not to be so hard on yourself. You're doing the best you possibly can.


  14. #14
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    1,400

    Clover - feeding and looking after your kids is the number one, you are doing that so please be kind to yourself. You have to do things sometimes to get through. xxxxxxxx

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Melbourne
    4,895

    :-( Oh chick, this is so sad. YOu are not disgusting, far from it - you are doing what anyone would do, provide for their kids as best as you can. I hope their Dad pays you back soon, to take the pressure off.

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Feb 2010
    on a big patch of paradise.
    3,720

    What everyone else said is what I want to say to. If your girls were old enough to understand I bet they would be giving you the money with a big smile on their face and a hug for you

  17. #17
    Registered User

    May 2011
    Adelaide
    747

    Don't feel bad. You have put food in their mouths. You shouldn't feel bad for meeting that most basic need. *hugs*

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Nov 2010
    Cairns
    681

    Everyone has said it so beautifully, you're an excellent mum Clover, don't doubt yourself hun x

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