Single mum shares open letter to 'the father who won't pay child maintenance'

One single mum's open letter to her ex about child maintenance is gaining popularity online.

mother and child

A single mum has shared the letter she sent to the father of her child who apparently is now refusing to pay child maintenance and told her she should 'go out less'.

Raising a child as a single parent is emotionally, physically and financially draining. While some parents will receive support from friends and family, it doesn't make the reality of it any easier.

One single mother vented her frustrations in an open letter to her ex who challenges her every time she questions his child maintenance money.

Posting in the Facebook group Single Mum Still Standing, the unnamed mum wrote: 'An open letter to the father who won’t pay child maintenance…'

'Any child maintenance payments made by you to me do not pay for my holidays. I don’t use YOUR money to pay for my clothes, and your payments certainly don’t fund my minor prosecco addiction.'

The mum-of-two continued: 'Your hard-earned cash doesn’t help me pay my gym membership or go into my savings account. (Which doesn’t exist.)'

'So when you stalk my Instagram and Facebook and see me making the most of my child-free weekends with friends – rest assured I am funding this. In the words of Destiny’s Child, "The shoes on my feet, I bought em - I depend on me, if I want it."'

https://www.facebook.com/singlemumstillstanding/photos/a.123340564985053.1073741829.122993601686416/178634176122358/?type=3&theater

The infuriated mum continued: 'Let me spell this out for you – any money you pay to help with the raising of our children goes directly to our children. I’ve got two jobs to fund my own lifestyle and pay for our children. It’s a simple concept you don’t seem to be able to grasp.'

The lengthy post is 1,300 words in total and details how the mum doesn't appreciate being told to 'go out less' when she challenges how much the father is contributing.

Finishing the scathing letter the mum writes: 'I don’t expect you to do the right thing. You are a rubbish father. Luckily, they have me.'

The post has received over 8,000 shares, 10,000 reactions and 3,500 comments.

Many parents have taken to Facebook to share their similar experiences and others congratulated the mum in the comments of the post for calling out her ex.

One person wrote: 'Sadly your words ring true for so many of us! Very well put your children are lucky to have you x'.

Another said: 'Very well said and accurately explained. Karma deals with them eventually for their sins!'

Jessica Ransom
Senior Food Writer

Jessica is a freelance food writer, stylist and recipe tester. She previously worked as Senior Food Writer at Future. While at Future Jessica wrote food and drink-related news stories and features, curated product pages, reviewed equipment, and developed recipes that she then styled on food shoots. She is an enthusiastic, self-taught cook who adores eating out and sharing great food and drink with friends and family. She has completed the Level 1 Associate course at the Academy of Cheese and is continually building on her knowledge of beers, wines, and spirits.