I grew up in poverty, going hungry and only eating at school. My mom was too proud to go after my father for child support (if she even knew who he was. My birth certificate says unknown), never used any government assistance because it was “beneath” her and we struggled. so. much when I was a child.
I left home at 18. Ended up “dating” a 32 year old man who promised to take of me and all of these grandiose things that obviously didnt happen.
Was an idiot and got knocked up. Now I have a 6 year old who is the absolute light of my light but now I’M the single mother.
At least my ex is on our daughter’s birth certificate? But it has been absolute HELL getting my ex to pay any type of child support.
I found out, after he left me for another, younger woman, he had another child and was paying child support to that mother.
And I’m the one who works. It’s never enough. It seems like every week, my mom is asking/calling/texting for money. She needs $10 here, $20 there. Oh can I please help her pay her bills, help her pay her debts, etc.
I’ve had to tell her OVER AND OVER that I cannot provide for her without taking away my child and my child is my first priority.
I finally lost my cool tonight after she asked me to give her money so she could buy cat food for a stray kitten.
My mother called me ungrateful and my daughter a “spoiled brat” (because yes, the kid who I regularly have to tell No to happy meals and toys and I’m skipping meals to make sure she has enough food for dinner is spoiled. The kid who I can’t even let go of $20 for a field trip)
Now my mom is mad but I just don’t give a f. I can’t get enabling her (not that I did it much anyways I’m too broke to do it)
This is after a really long, stressful day with my daughter losing her mind over not getting McDonald’s for dinner when we both got home and I’m tasked with a new project at work.
I can’t be my mothers retirement and continue on this way. Being in this position sucks but I am BARELY surviving as it is and I refuse to let my mother drag me down with her