I would like to say that flip_flop, you are extremely judgemental and that is not a nice trait. As I have said before me and my hubby have custody of his child, we work, so WE PAY for him, not you. The father of the eldest girl has custody of her and threrfore HE PAYS for her, not you. The other 3 children live with their Nan and both her and her hubby work so THEY PAY for the kids, not you. Amazingly, whilst the children were with the bio mother my hubby paid maintenance, the other father paid maintenance (1 father is in prison), 1 is unknown and the other does not see the child but does pay maintenace. Yes the mother was on benefits for a period, however she has been married twice to two of the fathers of her children, they both worked so paid taxes, therfore, no you did not pay for her children, my hubby did. I would not say she was a slapper, that is unfair. She was married twice, how can you say those were not serious relationships, as far as I am aware she was expecting the marriages to work out. She was with another father for a long time until she caught him doing something illegal and got him put in prison (which is comendable, she didn't ignore the behaviour), and yes the other two were shorter relationships, 1 a one night stand. She is however 37, so hardly a young child, I would expect a person of that age to have been around the block, so to speak.
I have been married for 4 years now, I have taken on custody of her child becuase Social Services interferred, I work hard as does my hubby and I don't have any children of my own. I worked throughout school, college and university and have worked hard in my current job as an Income Support processor for the Jobcentre. I am also studying a degree to become a Criminal Psychologist, so no, what she has done would not be my lifestyle choice, however I know her circumstances and I think that you flip_flop are being unfair.