Update time

A lot has changed since my last post.

My son is now living back with me. That's taken all the pressure of CSA's obscene "formula" out of my life other than the catchup from last year as I seek to get back on track financially.

I'm still living with the poor work life balance I needed to commit to last year to survive CSA, some of that goes away later in the year, other parts I'll need to make some decisions about.

I've some thoughts about the changed dynamic between my son and myself that I'm not comfortable putting in a public space at this point. From my perspective I think that's going well.

I'm now a CSA payee, at almost 1/9 the rate I was required to pay. A difference that's based entirely on personal choices made about employment, lifestyle and study. I don't believe that a history of living at the expense of others should absolve someone from the financial responsibilities of a child nor should a history of supporting yourself create unreasonable levels  of responsibility.

I've pondered avoiding them again and remain in two minds about that. Part of me wants the ties broken and CSA and my ex out of my life as far as I can get them, the other part wants some of what was stolen last year back and reminds me that my previous choices to not involve CSA did not protect me from them. Still under consideration.

I remain disgusted by the lack of interest from my local member so come the next election my vote will as far as practical be going elsewhere.

I truly wish one of the major parties had the decency and integrity to work towards a fairer less destructive system of dealing with parental responsibilities post separation. What they do now creates unnecessary levels of conflict and seems to be far to much based on stereotypes and gender wars and very little on real outcomes.