| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 1:50:00 AM | when i was doing the single parent thing i got no assistance from the govt, i paid full childcare fees as the govt rebate was only $30 p/w so i just paid the lot. come tax time i did not claim part a or b as only haveing half custody i wouldn't get crap all. in this time i kept working full time and even did o/t as needed and my employer know my situation and (lucky for me) was very flexible. there was times i would only be at work for 2 - 3 hrs and i would have to leave and collect son from childcare due to this or that and work would just let me go. over the following days i would make up the lost time and still be there for son.
while this was going on sons mother was on the pension and doing nothing, no matter how much i would encourage her to find a job she wouldn't as she "might" loose her pension card, healthcare card and rent assistance.
some find it easer on the benifets but others just want to work and show a example to our children that you get more rewards for putting in the effort than you do by taking what is easyst. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 2:14:35 AM | Call me old fashioned but I believe there should be one parent home looking after the kid/s and one out working. I certainly disapprove of two parents working and childcare personnel bringing up their offspring. To me that's akin to buying a dog and boarding it in a kennel during the week and wondering why it barks all weekend.
Childcare facilities should NEVER by subsidised by govt.
This effectively means the taxpayer is aiding two working parents to purchase an expensive house.
I can see how relationships fail and leave a single parent to pick up the pieces and these persons need assistance both in forcing the other parent to pay his/her share and then a top up from govt. coffers. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 2:46:27 AM | ok, donster, in some respects , I totally agree with you. I also believe in one parent staying at home whilst the other works- but honestly, in the real world, sometimes that is just not at all feasible.
while 30 years ago that idealistic notion was feasible, in todays world, it is nearly impossible! I will give you an example. while I was with my ex-partner, we were renting, the cost of rent was $220 per week, add $70 per week food bills(and for 3 of us, buying formula, nappies etc) that amount was not buying much at all. Add onto that the cost of fuel, $25-30 per week, electricity, phone bills, etc, not a lot left out of a single wage to save towards the great aussie dream of buying a house is there?. My ex-partner was earning an average of 36K a year, do your sums mate.
Before actually rejoining the work-force, I started 2 part time tafe courses, when I found out that I had my traineeship, I dropped those courses,, i had daycare with an absolutely wonderful woman, (if she is still alive when my daughter gets married, her daycare mum will be coming to the wedding)- mind you, my daughter is not yet 5 years old) and started my traineeship. OK, daughter was in daycare for 5 days a week, but I made it up to her with the amount of QUALITY TIME, and I reiterate, QUALITY TIME that I subsequently spent with her- which do you think is better for a child, parents who are stressed out, bored shit;less , and could nt give a rats behind about the kids,,,,,or parent that WANTS TO SPEND QUALITY TIME with the kids.
My daughter still goes full time to day care/pre-school, so I can study my butt off to provide a better life for her in the future,,, my daughter is socially stable, incredibaly intelligent and I can attribute part of that intelligence to the time spent with her daycare mum,,eg, at 4 years and 8 months, my daughter can count to 100, alphabet, spell basic words, add simple numbers like 2+2, 3+1 etc,,she has an amazing imagination, the questions that she asks me you would not believe!! she knows what a carnivore and what a herbivore is, etc,,, The benefits of kids attending daycare are well documented,, try doing some research into the subject and attain some knowledge before you mouth off!
HOW DARE YOU JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE IF YOU HAVENT WALKED IN THEIR SHOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 3:03:32 AM | Childcare facilities should NEVER by subsidised by govt.
This effectively means the taxpayer is aiding two working parents to purchase an expensive house.
Oh OK I get it. If one partner is earning just enough to cover childcare, then why bother working at all right? That way there's always someone home at the inexpensive house to tell the f***ing dog to shutup. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 4:32:57 AM | I commend single parents that work to support their children and dont take the easy option of reverting to centrelink as an income. I dont profess to know the ins and outs of the Centrelink system but Im getting close. I can safely say I am not a dumb nut. I dont set out to bludgeon single parents to death either given their circumstances. I fully understand that not all single parents out there 'set out' to rort the system and not all single parents are on the bludge but there certainly those who do and it is those ones I have an issue with so if you could all step awayyyyyyy from the caps lock......
On the other side of this welfare system coin is lil old me.....the taxed. This is public money and I would like to see it spent wisely and invested in Australias childrens future. I have known two single parents who have lived extremely well on Centrelink (hell you can even get a car loan on it now days). Meanwhile I work day in and day out to support them both and their broods. One of them was so fearful of having to return to work they have reverted to disability support pension as a means to slip nicely under the radar. They have more street smarts than a sh*t house rat.
Welfare is necessary to help those in need that for whatever reason they find themselves on hard times but the system needs to be tightened up so that those in need get the help they require and the bludgers f*ck off and suck off some one else.
Single parents who are studying whilst they are at home, taking part time work to fit in with their children, volunteering, doing correspondence courses or going to university need to be rewarded and encouraged by the government and Centrelink more than those doing nothing toward bettering themselves or contributing to society. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 4:44:12 AM |
I have known two single parents who have lived extremely well on Centrelink
I cant comprehend how anyone can live comfortably and raise children on benefits. With rent what it is today it seems impossible to me.
I do claim benefits, I also work school hours, 4 days per week and sometimes do an agency nursing shift on the weekends.My ex also pays a moderate amount of maintenance each week and money is pretty tight here. We live in an average house and half my monthly income goes on rent.
The only way I can think that anyone could live comfortably on benefits is if there are ways to rort the system that I dont know about or they are living in a cardboard box!!. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 4:53:21 AM | Rorting the sytem basically.......
They sure dont put in anywhere near as much work as you do Hilly put it that way. One of them has a partner living away who pays, an x who pays maintenance, a cheap house, a brother who pays the school fees, a father who pays from time to time and yeh.....life is peachy.
The other lives on a ground story of a house whose top floor resident is the grandmother of her live in partner who isnt really living in for the sake of centrelink....... and they have two little ones so living 'apart' in the eyes of the government works well for them.
These pair mentioned above have lived on Centrelink for 12 years and 19 years......
As I said Hilly for those such as yourself and other hard working single parents I commend you and you should be encouraged and supplimented to maintain a descent lifestyle for your children and give then the best future they can have.  | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 4:58:08 AM | ^^I guess thats why so many people do get the sh1ts with single mothers.......and rightly so I think.
Personally I would be terrified of getting caught.....damn my honest nature!
Thanks for the words of support | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 5:03:54 AM | Hilly too true.
I work part time in the education system, which pays a small amount, I am also am a full time student, which doesnt really pay, what I do get goes on school fees, I get a part pension, and like you hilly a moderate amount from child support.
Just over half my total income goes on rent. You add in food, petrol, insurance, rego, kids, etc there just isnt quite enough. Peter and Paul are always been robbed.
I have known two single parents who have lived extremely well on Centrelink
I thnk that is quantifiable by your own interpretation of extrmemly well is to some.
Considering for one child the total amount you can get $530 odd dollars Per fortnight. Parenting payment single that is.. your lucky to get another $130 -$180 per fortnight in family tax and rent assistance. So lets see thats at best $750 a fornight.
Doesnt take a Einstien to figure out. Thats jack sh!t. Id like to see how well extremly well is in their interprtation. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 5:15:03 AM | ^^I guess if you are sponging off others as well as centrelink and live in council housing then 750 a fortnight is enough to live on.
Personally I have no time for these women, but I guess there will always be queens and princesses who think they are above the law and can do as they please! | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 5:35:52 AM | | $750 a fortnight? Well considering they have zero fuel costs for any jobs they could otherwise be going to, I'd say that's not too damned bad considering plenty of people bust their hump in full time work for less than a couple of hundred more . | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 5:54:10 AM | Hilly.....Im not sure I understand you.. You have no time for women who recieve a pension ?
Im fairly sure thats not what you mean....???? Is it???
Zero fuel costs... why would they have zero fuel costs?
I think personally $750 a fortinight which is $370 per week is not alot to live off at all. Especially if your rent is 200 a week or so.
I am surprised people would think that. I must be the minority who think single parent hood is not a choice. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 6:00:38 AM | I am so so so sick of single parents being bashed by everyone.
Yes .. I'm one too. Yes I receive a part pension, I work, I pay tax, and I pay health insurance.
I have a special needs child, and when her father feels like it he pays child support. My ex chooses not to see our child. These arguments that childcare should not be subsidised. What a crock. How else are some of us supposed to work? Or do you want a generation of latchkey children? Then you can complain about us all having our children roaming the streets as well.
Spare a thought for single parents when they get sick. Not the common cold, I mean really sick. I got sick, and got hassled by centrelink because I wasn't working enough hours. My work hours dropped considerably to about 12 hours a week during my illness. Unfortunately I had cancer. I still had to work, admittedly I took 2 weeks off after each surgery, then I'd be sick for a week after each chemo. But I'd still work. Why? because I had to support my child and I had to keep a roof over our heads. I went back to work after each daily radium. If I didn't work Centrelink told me they would cut off my payments for 6 weeks at a time.
I've no doubt that there are ppl out there who take advantage of the system, but for every one of them, I believe that you'd find 1000's who don't. The vast majority are hard working women and men who just want to raise their children the best way they know how. No one gets rich on Parenting Payment, they survive. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 6:02:50 AM | | ^^^I think the general consensus is that single parents who have no desire to work when they could and probably should, don't exactly have many fans. I seriously doubt anybody has it in for honest people who actually need it. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 6:14:19 AM | Hi all...I'm a single mum of 2 boys, they have different dad's. I have been doing this stay at home mum thing on and off for the past 12 years and it's DAMN tough! I don't want to sit on my butt every day and take money from the government either, but I KNOW that I'm doing the right thing for my boys and they have plenty of respect for what I do for them. I have help from my family, and their extended families, but I don't ask for it, nor do I expect it.
I am paying $250 p/w rent, which is a helluva lot of money, but I lived in a Housing Trust home for 10 years, and decided I wanted to move up in the world and get something a little nicer and in a nice neighbourhood...So, on what I get from Centerlink per fortnight $500 goes right there on rent alone...then whatever is left, I have to budget for the next 2 weeks...there's approx $ 400 (if that) ...Electricity, Gas, Phone, Petrol, Food, School expenses, Child Care, (for when I need it) unexpected expenses like medicine etc....I was working as a Home assistant 2-3 days per week cleaning homes..I actually liked it, because it got me out of the house and I felt good about myself for helping someone else out, but at the end of the day all I was earning, would go straight towards child care and petrol...WHAT'S the point???
So I gave that up to take up some study with the assistance of The Parents Return To Work scheme...I was wrapped and so excited...Me getting back out there to learn new skills and hopefully meet some interesting people (even some hot guys, as I was doing Massage Therapy) Only thing, it's right in the city and I live about 45 mins away... Problem No 1...My eldest son is 13 and would need to be in OSHC before and after school...Registration fee $30...OSHC is booked out at his school for the ENTIRE year and would only have a few days here and there to spare, but nothing I could rely on. I asked some parents of kids in his class if there was anyone who could help out, which thankfully two nice ladies offered THANKYOU...then Problem No 2 presented itself... My youngest is almost 3 and getting him in child care on sporadic days, especially Tuesday's was an issue, and most of my classed were on a Tuesday, so I missed the Assessments... It got to the point where I couldn't afford the fuel into the city, and I couldn't rely on child care to have those days open for me.... I had to quit the course and now, I'm back where I started, bored, and wondering WHEN AM I GONNA GET A BREAK????
Single mum's DON'T get enough to survive on (single dad's etc) and yes you can get by with the bare necesities, but does that stop the debt collectors banging down your door? NO...does it enable you to have a life, and buy clothes and stuff for yourself to feel good??? NO... Can we get urgent help if we need it financially??? Well yes but only once a year...(advance payments from Centerlink)
I'm so tired of taking 2 steps forward and 10 steps back, and living day to day... | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 6:23:11 AM | | OMG, thankyou.... was reading those comments too and thought >>I would like to see those people live my life for a couple of months and say that with confidence. Yes there ARE slackers out there, but there is in every aspect of life...they forget we stay at home mums are THERE for our kids 24/7...our kids aren't out on the streets, getting themselves to and from school every day, feeding themselves breakfast and most likely tea as well, we are home to help them with homeowork and have time to sit with them at the table to eat tea and talk about anything that might be bugging them...It's hard...and those who call us SLACKERS obviously haven't done it tough enough! | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 6:23:57 AM | As a single parent I just can't imagine how I would survive without some sort of income supplement on top of the centrelink payments. The times when that extra money hasn't been forthcoming I used to skip meals or eat the kids left-overs.
The idea of a single parent living comfortably on Centrelink payments is absurd, unless they are rorting the system or have some sort of benefactor it just isn't possible. Or unless you are lucky enough to have really cheap rent. You can't even tread water for too long before you go under without that extra income. When you start paying late fees on all your bills it's really is so hard to get so back on track.
Single mums have been demonised by politicians, the church & the media & general public have sucked it up. The single mums have been labeled all sorts of things such as... s!uts & baby bonus bonkers, lazy bludgers & other bad words. Whereas single dads don't cop anything derogatory. I've never had anything but accolades for being a single dad. Bit of a double standard (sexist).
Some people just can't help shooting their mouth off. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 6:29:59 AM | sumchick...firstly welcome to the forum...it's always nice to get the views of new people in here.
Unfortunately, stories like yours are all too common in Australia. The only positive news I can offer is wait until after the Budget tomorrow night. If all the leaks are true, women in your situation may finally get some recognition and help from the Federal Government. I know I have my fingers crossed that they may also address some of the problems facing people in my situation.
You should give yourself a pat on the back though...at least you have tried things and while they didn't work this time, I have the feeling you will keep having a go at things. Good luck and keep smiling. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 6:35:29 AM | sumchick33
I am sorry its tough for you. It certainly is hard out there. Sometimes you have to create the breaks in life, even the red sea didnt part till Moses put his feet in them.
I am a single parent. Im a full time student work part time and am self funded, all except a small part pension. I do understand the delima with child support, child care. But keep up the slog. It will be worth it.
^^^hey where did you two come from. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 6:45:47 AM | ^^^
Zero fuel costs....why would they have zero fuel costs? I believe I said "zero fuel costs for jobs"...let me check once more...Yes, that's what I said.. "zero fuel costs for jobs they could otherwise be going to." I really do need to get a parrot. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/12/2008 7:42:48 AM | awesome posts by everyone on a topic that could create world war three...lol
Unfortunately no ystem is fair for all and also where you have money up for grabs, even small amounts there will always be a percentage that will rort the system. This then makes it harder for the genuine people and soaks up funds that could be better used.
I beleive one of the biggest rorts of the system is the actual cost of childcare, which in itself is added to by the draconian government rules and cost that have to be implemented by these business's
Now i would like to make a small reply to a couple of ladies that believe business's should make allowances and change times around to suit single parents. The reality is in a lot of industries this is not possible nor is it viable in a business sense. I am a business owner and in the past have employed up to 60 people so i have a fair idea on what can and cannot be done. In a rosy world yes it would seem like a logical idea but in a business manner if it isnt viable for the business there will be no business for anyone. I have all the respect in the world for any parent single or otherwise but i lose it when i hear people say that business's should make more of an effort. A business isnt there for people to think they have the right to a job on any terms they stipulate. most business's are there because someone took the risk and usually put everything on the line to try and get ahead. Sometimes it workes and sometimes it doesnt. The other thing is our tax regulations both state and federal and the redtape you have to go through just to employ people on a normal basis, anything that deviates from this can add to the cost burden of a business. A couple of people made comments on typecasting, same thing goes with a business ,just because there is one doesnt mean there is a bottomless pool of money, same as because someone is a single parent doesnt mean they are a bludger.
Unfortunately there is no easy answer or even a correct answer to this subject and the excellent points that everyone has brought up, as there are too many sides to this very complex topic, but one thing we can be sure of and that is while ever we have beaurocrats that live cocooned safely making the decisions, it will always suck.....lol
cheerz all
be safe and be well | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 5/15/2008 5:02:13 AM | Oh my god I give all the rights to the single parents to get money from the government and even more than what they are getting............after all if the government was smart enough ...the government would have done something about the dads (and some mums) actually paying more than what they should...some pay F all.... children actually cost more than us adult...our clothes get worn out but they grow out of theirs so we can't make them wear it until worn out... why should any child miss out because they have an irresponsible parent who earns and doesn’t provide???
If the government makes it fair and firm then I am sure there will be less single parents on the pension.
Now one fair person please explain to me why a mother (or father who cares full time) has to care and collect and do all the day in and day out of the child/ren and work full time too ?????
while the dad (or mum) pays (compared to what he earns) a little p!ssy amount and have not much to do with the child????
Oh my god we need to educate some of the population in this country, no wonder the legal system is so unjust because we don't do anything about it and just B!tch about others without really experiencing their misery.
I personally work full time from home because I can, if I couldn’t work from home because I don't want to throw my child in and out of before and after care and holiday programs...then I suppose I would have had to go on the pension too, the amount might seem substantial to some but the psychological damages from receiving it is huge...
A mothers ( some cases dads ) life when full time work
get the children ready
get their food ready
take them to their school/before care
rush to work
go and collect the children
take them home
(some outside activity runs)
prepare their meals
clean up
help with home work
get them to bed
clean up more... unfortunately there is more to a home than most think
go to bed
wake up to the same routine
An ex dad's job (or mum without the kids)
get up
go to work
come home
cook for himself
do whatever
go to bed
$370/week is actually nothing at all NOTHING.... especially depending on where you live..... so sad to see people are actually angry with the single mothers I feel bad and wish them good luck and better pay... more than half of that money goes into grocery...
there are a lot of thieves and frauds out there.... I think I B!tch about them before tired single parents on pension..... shame on us for not protecting each other. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 6/7/2008 10:22:21 AM |
Childcare facilities should NEVER by subsidised by govt.
This effectively means the taxpayer is aiding two working parents to purchase an expensive house.
Oh OK I get it. If one partner is earning just enough to cover childcare, then why bother working at all right? That way there's always someone home at the inexpensive house to tell the f***ing dog to shutup.
i agree with the first comment more than the second.
childcare facilities subsidies should be properly means tested.
childcare is also oftened used to deny the non-resident parent to have contact with the child.
if the non-resident parent wants to spend this time with the child then the subsidy should be denied, they should have a say in the matter too.
tax payers money should not be used to favor the residential parent to limit contact the child has with the other parent - this is an abuse of tax payers money. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 6/7/2008 10:29:27 AM |
HOW DARE YOU JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE IF YOU HAVENT WALKED IN THEIR SHOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this comment applies to its originator most of all...
you have no idea yourself... and are somewhat hypocritical | |
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