Raising a child alone.

Aww honey, I'm sorry I can't help you, but wanted to send you a great big

i agree with all of the above.
also, when i was a single mum, i also found that i had to be really stroppy with winz sometimes to get them to get their A into G. i once had to take mikey into the winz office with a tea towel stuffed down his pants in place of a nappy because i had no money because they said i had to go to some sort of seminar before even making an appointment to go on the DPB.
If things are tough, don't be afraid to go and ask for a food grant to tide you over, that's what they're there for.
i also found that i became a mean budgeter while on the DPB. i would withdraw the whole amount on pay day and then divide it into rent, electricity, power and food. i had a little jar in my cupboard that i would put a certain amount in each week for power and phone and then if there was extra in the jar after those bills had been paid then that was my spending money.

I'm really sorry to hear about the break up of your marriage, these things are never easy, just don't be afraid to lean on people because you are definitely not alone.
good luck

Edited by ellabellame

Hi AriannesMum, Im going to be a single mum too and I am quite freaked out about it. Im working at the moment but going to have to go on the benifit when baby is born. If you need someone to talk to feel free to PM me :)

Just wanted to say that my mum brought up 3 kids on her own and I remember she went to uni when I was little. I went to creche while she went to classes.

I'm so proud of her for going it alone and studying to get on with her life.

We are all here if you need to chat/ vent or whatever

So sorry

I don't know what your ex earnt or anything, but check out if you would be better off getting maintenance for him rather than the DPB (as you would get SFA of any child support, as it goes straight to the govt if you have the DPB).

Ex is liable for half of all costs, fight him tooth and nail to get it if you have to.

Sorry I don't really have much more advise, just thought I'd add that as that's what my lawyer told me when DH left.

I have no advice, only big big for you and Arianne. I'm so sorry to read about your separation hun.

Sorry to hear about your separation.

If your family can help in any way then take it! My mum raised me as a single parent, she was at uni for about the first 3 and a half years of my life but she relied a lot on my grandparents to look after me so she was able to study!

I agree with ellabellame and winz and their damn seminars! I went along at 32 weeks to sign up for sickness benefit and was told I would need my doctor to sign a form saying I was pregnant and I should attend a seminar about all the benefits they offer before I could make an appointment to see someone! Thought it was a little funny as I sorta look PREGNANT!

Also there are lots of places that can help you out if you need food, etc, and don't be afraid to ask for help from family or friends.

All the best!

Oh, and like a couple of people have suggested, if you get desperate, do try church groups. Speaking from my experiance with ours, they're often more than happy to get genuine requests from people who are just caught a bit short, and would be happy to help. (As opposed to bludgers who make up a sob story and travel round every church in the district trying it on... grr!). If they don't do food packages, they'll probably be able to put you onto someone who does.

Thanks so much for all your kind words and advice. I am lucky to be going back to my Dad's place I just feel kinda embarrassed about it.

I have looked at AUT on the North Shore and they have a creche so its looking more like that will be happening. Just have to get a car first which is happening next week.

Thanks for the meet up suggestions. Once I am feeling a little more like a sociable person I will get in contact and we should go to the beach and watch the kiddies play. While we still have summer.

Hey Lana,

Thanks for the offer, I had to go to work today and my Brother and Dad are moving our stuff out this afternoon, so Arianne is at daycare.

I might take a Monday off and come to coffee group to catch up.