The Parent Chronicles

Dads, you never stop being a Dad. There’s reasons I don’t stay out all night. There’s reasons I don’t involve myself with things that could put me back inside those cages. There’s reasons why try to be consistent with the ways I earn money, especially when stressing about bills, whether it’s picking up extra shifts or doing more community service work. I simply cannot do certain things anymore. I am a Dad. I owe my son. He didn’t ask to be here so I rearranged my life for him…

Someone asked me what are my thoughts on child support and the spending of the money.

Personally I believe child support payments should be spent in the best interests of the child and household. This encompasses many aspects. Beyond the material needs of a child there are mental and emotional needs to consider and this goes beyond the child themselves. For instance, if I need to pay a bill to reduce the stress of the household then I will do so. If I decide that the money should go towards a self care day then I will do so. All this with the understanding that my child’s foundational needs are met. If met I believe the money goes towards the overall betterment of the home. There’s so much more to consider than the needs of the child. The parent has needs as well. The support should add to the positive energy of the home beyond material needs and this is dictated by the primary caretaker and not the parent paying support.

With that said if a payment is for something specific like a savings or fund for the child or children then the money should not be touched unless dire need is presented…