Ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dies

[joebloggs]

years of plunder and neglect.

that's true of the Tories too, Cameron just like thatcher taking more from the poor and giving back to the rich

if you've got kids these days your if you both work, child care cost will cripple you if you don't have a family member to look after them or take them to school. because Cameron and his bullingdon boys have lowered the cut off where you get nothing if you work

[grahamw48]

that's true of the Tories to, Cameron just like thatcher taking more from the poor and giving back to the rich

if you've got kids these days your if you both work, child care cost will cripple you if you don't have a family member to look after them or take them to school. because Cameron and his bullingdon boys have lowered the cut off where you get nothing if you work

I'm not defending the Tories.

...and, IMO it's down to the breakdown of the traditional 'extended family' that has given rise to a lot of our current social problems (including requiring payment of benefits) , as well as the inflexibility of some couples.

My ex-partner and I managed to bring up 3 children without ever needing to pay for any kind of childcare, and my own mother brought up 4, without even the use of a babysitter...most of the time my dad being away at sea too.

Apart from one armed robber on my dad's side, there are no criminals or spongers amongst us either.

[joebloggs]

did you and your ex-wife both work ?? and did your mother work ?

me and the misses both work, we do not have anyone to look after the kids, I've thought about quitting work because of all the hassle, sure its my fault for having kids or is it ? the cost of living now is far higher than it use to be when mostly the father only worked. them days are gone for most now

[grahamw48]

did you and your ex-wife both work ?? and did your mother work ?

me and the misses both work, we do not have anyone to look after the kids, i've thought about quitting work because of all the hassle, sure its my fault for having kids or is it ? the cost of living now is far higher than it use to be when mostly the father only worked. them days are gone for most now

We both worked Joe.

Practically from the first day my ex arrived in the UK she worked, because she didn't want to be bored silly putting her feet up at home. First as a cleaner, then a waitress, and finally as assistant manager in a restaurant.

We both worked, but organised our hours and jobs so that one of us was always there for the kids.

My own mother never had a job after getting married and having children. That's the way she and my dad wanted it.
We struggled because in those days forces pay was very low, but they'd had the good sense to save the deposit on a house and then buy one BEFORE they had any kids. Apart from 'family allowance' my parents never claimed any benefits whatsover. They just lived sensibly and within their budget, while doing their best for us kids.

I disagree that the cost of living is higher now. It depends on what you define as necessities I suppose. Everyone is different.

I for instance don't feel it is a requirement to have at least one large 4-wheel drive vehicle on my driveway and a rack of wine in my kitchen to feel good about my status.

I do however feel good when my children have some quality books to read and are given stimulating and fun things to do, within a loving home (or outside it).

[joebloggs]

We both worked Joe.


We both worked, but organised our hours and jobs so that one of us was always there for the kids.

it's not possible for me and the misses to do that, she could be working days or nights, it changes weekly.

i think you'll find that the cost of living had increased,

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/p...o-survive.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/person...etched-1562332

[grahamw48]

it's not possible for me and the misses to do that, she could be working days or nights, it changes weekly.

i think you'll find that the cost of living had increased,

Yes Joe, I can understand that some people's working hours (as with you and your wife) can present problems. I do believe that most people DO have more options though...just that they're not willing to compromise.

As far as those cost of living reports go, well, I would say most if not all those increases (there are decreases too of course) are down to LIFESTYLE choices and the difference in what are generally considered as NECESSITIES these days, rather than any real increase. Most of the time I was a kid we had neither car, TV nor phone, nevermind blinkin broadband.

We didn't particularly miss any of them, neither did we have them to pay for. It did enable my parents to feed and educate us properly though, and to pay for their own house which increased in value through the years.

[Dedworth]

that's true of the Tories to, Cameron just like thatcher taking more from the poor and giving back to the rich

if you've got kids these days your if you both work, child care cost will cripple you if you don't have a family member to look after them or take them to school. because Cameron and his bullingdon boys have lowered the cut off where you get nothing if you work

As Graham said Joe why, during their 13 years of power ,didn't Labour put back what Mrs Thatcher supposedly "took away" ?

Too busy playing at being Class Warriors and concealing their wealth and privilege no doubt - I've not heard Mandelson and Two Jags open their gobs in the House of Lords lately