Heidi,
I'm not even sure if I should get started..its hard to slow me down once i get going.....Deadbeat Dads...We need to have a better system,a system that punishes parents (men or women) who just up and walk away from thier responsibilities(much like Tricia's case)..I was married for twenty years to a man who continually cheated,but he was always a great provider for our four children.We divorced three years ago.His new girlfriend allows no communication between us,and helps him to avoid paying court ordered child support.Three of my children are still living at home with me and are ages 11,13,and 16.I am disabled due to a severe back injury causing nerve damage,I am diabetic,and was recently diagnosed with lupus.(i also suffer from high blood pressure and anxiety attacks).When my husband and I were married ,he worked as a sub-contractor in the construction business making $65.00 per hour.We lived fairly well.Now that we are divorced,he gets paid "under the table".He is part owner of a bar and grill and a local restaurant,which I know for a fact,but he (with the help of his girlfriend),has the business set up to look like he is a dishwasher making minimum wage.We have been to court several times.He lies to the judge and the judge says that the burden of proof is on me.I have to prove that he is making more than minimum wage.His girlfriend is in charge of the payroll,so she cuts him a check each week for thirty hours at minimum wage,and on her pay check she attaches his wages,that they dont want to report my ex-husband as getting.Sounds like IRS problems could be in store also.They live in a brand new,mini-mansion,drive brand new cars,and take monthly trips to exoctic places...in the meanwhile ,I am struggling to see that my children are provided for.And Murphys Law is so evident in my life...everything goes wrong...I replaced my furnace a year ago on march 16th...on march 28th of this year my furnace quits(I had a one year warranty)well ,luckily,the weather got much warmer and we've had 90 degree days already this year...my central air went kaput!!!I recieved a notice on my door just today from the water company...average use should be around 5500 gallonsper month..i've used 17,500...in the last two weeks,so I have massive plumbing problems somewhere....and the list could go on and on...my 11 year old daughter is healthy,but suffers from emotional problems because she was daddies little girl and has only seen daddy three times in a year,my 13 year old son is getting at that age that he needs to have man-to-man talks,and there is no other man...i dont know how to answer his questions,and my 16 year old daughter...well...she attempted suicide last September on the way home from vacation,she is on medication for depression,and two weeks ago was diagnosed with a heart defect...apparently she isnt getting enough blood to her heart...they are trying different medications...I really am not trying to make anyone feel sorry for me..I love my life,and my kids are my world...and they are such good kids.They are thoughtful and kind and very well mannered.I'm not worried about me...I'm worried about them. It's not fair to them.They should not have to do without just because thier dad is a selfish bastard.They have what they need,I suppose.I just know it could be better..what about when they want to go to college?I have much moral support from my family and friends...and I do know that there are many people in the world who have much bigger problems than I do..So me and my kids have this kind of
'game"that we play...every day we try to be kind to everyone,but we all try to do one random act of kindness to a complete stranger every day,then we sit and talk about it at the end of the day...i know it might sound kinda sappy,but it is fun.I try to teach my kids that we really have it good compared to many people,and they know its true...just sometimes I feel like a hypocrite,because behind closed doors,i'm sobbing and feeling sorry for us......but we are gonna be ok...hopeful they soon make better laws concerning child support and deadbeat parents...and one day I will be able to pay for everything they need including college....because I'm going to write a #1 hit song,right?lol

*****You know I'm a dreamer,but my heart's of gold*****Motley Crue