Sunday 19 September 2010

Errant fathers

When I am driving the kids around, I often update them with interesting news that I've read in the papers.

Yesterday, I told them about the proposed changes to the Women's Charter to have tougher rules against men who fail to pay maintenance to their children and former wives.

When I saw the statistics, I realised that their father is not the only errant one. One divorcee said her husband has already skipped payment for 3 months and she's running out of money to raise her child. The monthly allowance of $4,500 is set to increase to $5,000 a month as the child gets older.

Gosh, my kids' father is only expected to pay a total sum of $1,200 a month and he has not done so for five or six years. I've lost count actually. The paltry sum is barely enough for the kids' pocket money. What was I thinking then?

I already knew I would be in for serious disappointment if I had to depend on him to support the kids. People divorce for a reason, and this is only one of them. It says alot about a person's character or lack of.

The kids thought it was really unfair to me. "Why don't you go to court?", they asked.

I share the same sentiment as the woman mentioned above. "Why waste time going to court when you know you can't recover any money despite incurring legal fees. I would rather spend quality time with the kids."

Yes, a big waste of time and energy.

8 comments:

Open Kitchen Concept said...

*hugs* You are a great mum!

Amel said...

Totally agree with you about not going to court. Agree with the above that you're a GREAT Mom! :-D

ckl said...

You are a great mum and a very wise woman!

Ji said...

Yes you are a great mum! It is not easy being a single mum and raising 2 boys on your own. My ex also defaulted on the paltry $500 per month for my 16 year old daughter and we do not even know of his whereabouts. But we lead much happier lives now and that is all that matters.

Blur Ting said...

OKC - Thanks :-)

Blur Ting said...

Amel - Moving on is the best thing to do. Life is so short to waste time on such people.

Blur Ting said...

ckl - Thank you. I guess it's a matter of coping with the situation and doing the best we can.

Blur Ting said...

Ji - Sorry to hear you're in the same boat but you've done well. I'm glad we've had the courage to leave and create a better lives for ourselves and the kids.

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