h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A614521

I am submitting this entry as I feel that it will be informative to both absent and single parents. I have included links to other guide entries that relate to this topic, but do not feel that they are very informative. I have also included links to sites that will be of great assistance.

Good entry.

Having been on both sides of this situation..ie..I was a single parent, but now I live with my partner and we have his 2 kids at weekends, I feel you've missed out a very important point.
Neither parent should EVER badmouth the other to the children. This is detrimental to the relationships between the children and their parents, and only ever causes harm.
Maybe a brief note to the effect that no matter what the problems are between the adults, the children should be encouraged to have a good relationship with both parents. The adult's feelings shouldn't come into it.
I speak from bitter experience here. Poisoning the children against the non-custodial parent is incredibly confusing and harmful for all involved. Unfortunately, it is all to commom.

Ok, I did put in a line about not being vindictive about the absent parent, but I will make it a bit more obvious, thanks for your comment.

I've used your wording in a new paragraph under the heading 'The childen'.

Not been on here long, do I put your number in the researchers box at the bottom as I have used your wording?

Errmm, I'm not sure. Maybe a friendly ACE/Scout/Guru will pop by and tell us!! That would be cool if you want to do that! I've never been referenced before!

You should make it clear that the referenced sites are for the UK, though. Maybe move the final paragraph of Single Parents down into the Benefits section. Then you can title it "Financial Support in the UK" or something like that.

And maybe change the first sentence of Support Groups from "There are support groups available when you need to talk about problems and can´t talk to family, you do not have to give them your details so don´t be scared to call them." to

"There are support groups available when you need to talk about problems and can´t talk to family. You do not have to give them your details so don´t be scared to call them."

Then you could add a line saying something like "These numbers are for the UK"

I hope this helps.

Errmm, I'm not sure. Maybe a friendly ACE/Scout/Guru will pop by and tell us!! That would be cool if you want to do that! I've never been referenced before!

You should make it clear that the referenced sites are for the UK, though. Maybe move the final paragraph of Single Parents down into the Benefits section. Then you can title it "Financial Support in the UK" or something like that.

And maybe change the first sentence of Support Groups from "There are support groups available when you need to talk about problems and can´t talk to family, you do not have to give them your details so don´t be scared to call them." to

"There are support groups available when you need to talk about problems and can´t talk to family. You do not have to give them your details so don´t be scared to call them."

Then you could add a line saying something like "These numbers are for the UK"

I hope this helps.

Ooohhh, don't you just hate it when that happens!!

Good entry.

I'd suggest moving the final paragraph of the "single parent" section all the way down into the "financial problems" section, and I do agree that you should probably note that the various agencies you link to are specifically for the UK.

As an absent parent who visits regularly and pays support, knowing that there are a lot of absent parents who don't do so tends to... um.... irritate me. (understatement)

In the United States, divorce decrees all contain a clause that neither parent will badmouth the other. Is this not the case in the UK?

NBY wrote: "In the United States, divorce decrees all contain a clause that neither parent will badmouth the other. Is this not the case in the UK?"

This may be the case, but the badmouthing occurs, regardless. I think the clauses are there largely to give the other parent a weapon with which to fight back.

As far as adding someone else's researcher number as a contributor, that's largely up to you at this point. If you feel that someone has contributed enough that you want them to receive credit for that, then put their number in. If you *don't* put their number in and the entry gets accepted, the sub-editor who polishes the entry up will still have the option of adding the researcher to the credits if s/he feels it is warranted.

Hope this helps some!

Mikey

Bookmarking to read later.

However I can comment now on your question, MagicDays, yes you can add Mistdancer's number as a referenced researcher and she will get credit as a contributor.
I'll be back to read the entry and comment{I'm divorced}.

~GB~

There is no clause in a UK divorce to say that you should not badmouth the other parent. I don't do it anywhere near my child as it upsets him. If I want to have a general moan about the man's idiocy I wait til he's nowhere near me.
One point about the entry, it might be a good idea to mention at the top that it's directed towards the lower income family, and although I am a single parent, I don't think of my son as only living with me, he spends 2 nights a week with his dad, so I don't have all the responsibilities either.

Ok, comments noted, ammendments will be made.

Mistdancer thanks for the suggestions, sorting it now and putting you in the researchers box

Thanks Magic.



BTW, the Tax Credit site says I can get something!! I didn't think I was entitled!! Yippee!!!!

So it's actually helped someone already...yippee

Galaxy - I'm cringeing already *LOL*

Mina,

Thanks for the comments, I have changed the single parent discription to most of the time and most of the responsibilty, I hope this sounds better.

I don't bad mouth my ex either, there is far too much of it goes on here in the UK though. Luckily my son and I can talk about his father very easily even though his father broke all contact with him.

This comments for 'Not Banned Yet'

If you have any links in the USA that you would like to see included then please let me know and I can add them. The more information thats included the more help it will be to others

And I know there are alot of absent parents who pay maintenance, sometimes more than is necessary and support their children, but there are also a lot who don't, so that paragraph was aimed at the single parent who is getting no maintenance. The CSA don't always manage to get it for you either, I know this by experience.

Magic

I noticed you've added me on the Entry, but you've put that I've written and researched it on my own!! Shouldn't you be there too!! After all, it's your entry! You didn't just edit it, you wrote it! Give yourself more credit

Magic is currently listed as the editor. When/if the entry is accepted, a sub-editor will receive it -- at that point, Magic's name will be listed as a researcher, and the sub-editor's name will be listed as the editor.


Mikey

Mist,

Its ok it'll change if it gets into the guide

Well, one good US site for child support enforcement issues can be found at [url removed by moderator]. I think I've got this so it's not a link that will be hidden by the moderators. You know what to add to get there.