cant or dont want to!

ditto.

The one thing that irks me is you go up town and mums (of any age) are all dolled up, make up, cellphones, ciggies, new clothes, obviously have been to hairdressers to have dye and foils and cuts, and then their kids are barely dressed, look freezing cold, no covers, no hats or jackets or even shoes. that gets me really angry.

priorities sometimes are not quite how they should be.

This is a big gripe of mine. These people need to get their priorities straight, there is no reason why a child should have to go without the necessities in NZ. I am annoyed that KidsCan is the charity for Telethon as the only reason why this organisation is needed is because of useless parents. I am sick of the ads about children walking to school with no shoes and no jacket! Why should I have to give money to other people's kids??? If they can't look after them properly then they should be taken off them.

It bugs me too when walking along the street and there are people with signs that say "Homeless and Hungry" or "No money to get back to Auckland". And they are standing or sitting there smoking. I mean ARGH!

I would have to disagree Minik8e, that is what social welfare is for. If there are families who are doing so badly that they can't feed or clothe their children then the government need to take a good hard look at themselves and be readdressing the social welfare system.

I think that no matter how hard up you are and no matter what your circumstances, you can dress you child in warm clothes, even if its layers over layers and a hat.

The problem is that some parents needs seem to surpass the childs and a lot of those relate to addictions to nicotine, alcohol and gambling and even people who are not hard up make decisions where they put these needs/addictions first. Most likely those same adults were neglected to a degree when they were young and so the vicious cycle continues.

I have to agree too. We live in a country where every person is entitled to financial assistance. It annoys me that people say they cant afford to live where they do, yet they shoose to live there rather than move to somewhere with lower living costs.
I think that more administration needs to be taked over the welfare system, and alot of welfares should be paid in vouchers rather than cash.
I am definitely frustrated when I hear what percentage of our taxes go back into benefits, yet there are still people who cant manage to clothe their kids properly!!! ARGH

I agree with you Kate, in that it was a bit overgeneralised...cos there really are some out there that no matter what they do, they can't seem to get ahead.. a few years ago we were almost definately in that group.

i do know that when i was first back at study after having PAris, despite mike working and despite ird and all that, we had barely 50cents to rub together after our essentail bills were paid, but that did include food.

It definately can be hard but it's about having the knowledge to look and find ways... we have a heap of second hand places in our town with lovely volunteer ladies that actually knit new stuff to sell in the shops, I got Paris some lovely winter woolen jearseys for $4 the other day and babies and little toddlies stuff for much cheaper.

I do think the kids can thing does have merits in that there seriously are some kids that are disadvantaged because of how their parents or family situation is, and we do need to put back inot the community to ensure that the generation coming up after us has provisions to get education and be heatlhy.     

The main thing that irks me, as said above, is when you can outwardly see the parents have enough money for smokes, and new stuff for themselves but not for their kids.....

Kellz, I do the same here.... when PAris was little, alot of her stuff was bought by my mum or my sister as they spoilt her, and i was ever so grateful of that.. alot more came from nursing friends with older kids who had grown out of stuff, so i do that now too, handing things down to others who i know can use them and donating alot to the plunket and charitys once my girls have finished with them.

Edited by mum2paris

I was at the warehouse the other week and saw kids shoes for like less than $5 and it made me think (as you all have) how can kids go without shoes with those prices - for new shoes!

Now there are kids like my Miss 9 year old who have perfectly good shoes in her school bag and walks home without them on - in winter - that makesme made - not cause people will think we can't afford them but because she should wear them!

and like alot of you - I sorted out our clothes the other monthand gave them all to the sallies - some with the tags still on (yes I admit it - total impluse buying on my part) If my friends don't want them they go to the sallies (or clothes bin somewhere)

What we need to have over here (unless they do in bigger centres) is CAr Boots - over in the uk they have huge ones and you pick up real bargains not only on clothes but everything toys, kitchen and household stufff most things you can get there.
I would love it if they did it here and often thought of planning my own one - Garage sales are ok ut can be a pain going from one house to the other that I just don't go... anyhow getting a wee bit OT and lost in my thoughts but there are things that would help people other than going to WINZ

I am forever shopping and saying to mum that there is now NO reason for kids not to be clothed and shoed...the prices are ridiculous in many shops and at clearance...and number 1 shoes OMG they are crazy in their clearance racks and then buy 2 get one free on top!

have to say tho that I see daily where priorities are - it is their choice but I do think WINZ should monitor more carefully how money is spent - case in point 745am today at 4 square a dad (ive seen him with young kids around) buying two loaves of bread, milk AND a case of flame beer!!!!

let alone stopping at manurewa supermarket on a benefit day and seeing alcohol being bought at 8am more than food!!! and in such a hurry they arent even dressed (still in pjs!)....no wonder the kids miss out! sad but very true in this neck of the woods at least!

DH and I pretty much live off the bones of our ass's at the moment, we can afford to pay our bills and put food on the table and petrol in our cars, and after all that we dont have a lot of $ left, but, I will always put cadens needs in front of my own. I could do with some new shoes, but Caden needed some new things, so he comes first! I always make sure that he has clean warm clothes, he never goes out without socks on or a hat if its really cold(even though he yanks it off his head all the time!)
I just go where the sales are, like at babycity yesterday, they had some winter stuff on sale at REALLY good prices! plus iy was buy one get one half price, or I'll go to T&T and get him things as its so cheap.

I will happily buy my children the things they need over my own needs! But DH and I still make sure we get the odd treat as well lol