# Father's quest for his kids goes down in flames; advice (and sympathy) requested

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fathers-quest-for-his-kids-goes-down-in-flames-advice-and-sympathy-requested/568416>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [January 21, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fathers-quest-for-his-kids-goes-down-in-flames-advice-and-sympathy-requested/568416 "2011-01-21T04:00:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 137

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**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fathers-quest-for-his-kids-goes-down-in-flames-advice-and-sympathy-requested/568416/137 "2011-01-26T00:56:41Z")

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> [@nyctea scandiaca](#):
>
> Whaaaaaaa??? 😕 I have never complained about the child support Greg pays. Never complained about the amount or that he pays it. Never. Show me anywhere that I complained about it.
> 
> What I did bring up is the fact that Susan is misusing Greg’s child support funds. I said I think the money should go to the full benefit of Greg’s kids. Not to supporting two unemployed adults (Susan and her boyfriend) and to a lesser extent, the children of a child molester in prison. I didn’t see anyone disagree with me on that complaint.
> 
> Many times in these discussions, it’s very easy for the other party to just say, “whatever, you are just complaining about the money.” This is what Susan says all the time, “you just don’t like paying the money,” where never did Greg ever complain about paying the money. This is just a strawman, an attempt to divert attention away from the real problem.

Well, I see what I see. I’ve read the threads and it always boils down to $2500 being spent in ways you don’t like. Oh, and P.S. the kids might be suffering, too.

It has been obvious to me from the beginning that suggestions to benefit the kids are given way less traction than suggestions to punish Susan (even if that is not in the best interest of the child). So if that is not the impression you are attempting to give, you have been unsucessful. If you want more sympathy, quit bringing up how much Greg pays, how terrible it is that she doesn’t make money, and keep to the how to help the kids. Otherwise, I’m going to keep thinking that the money may be a big issue here.

I hope Greg someday develops a relationship with his kids. He will probably have to wait until they are adults. It sucks, but then so much of life does.

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