Putting children first: why child maintenance matters

Being a parent is the most rewarding but also the most challenging role I have ever taken on. Every choice I make isn’t just about me – it’s about giving my child the best chance in life.

For single parents, that responsibility can feel even heavier. We carry the everyday worries: bills, food, uniforms, school trips, and still finding space for joy. What often gets overlooked in these conversations is just how important child maintenance is.

Child maintenance isn’t about one parent paying the other. It’s about making sure children have what they need to grow, learn and feel secure. It’s about responsibility, stability and fairness. Every child deserves support from both parents, whether they live under the same roof or not.

In my case, I have my child with me all year round. I carry the full responsibility of caring for them day in and day out. But the financial support from their father is not regular. He is on benefits, so what comes is often very little – and some months there is nothing at all. That uncertainly makes life more stressful, because children’s needs don’t stop or wait until a payment arrives.

Even small and consistent contributions make a different. They show that both parents are invested in their child’s wellbeing. They mean I can say yes to school trips without wondering which bill will have to wait. They mean my child feels recognised and supported by both parents, not just one.

When payments are irregular, it’s the child who misses out. Theys why we need to keep reminding ourselves: child maintenance isn’t about the past relationship; it’s about the child’s future.

I share this experience not to criticise, but to highlight that children deserve stability. No matter the circumstances, they should never feel the impact of financial strain or uncertainty.

At the end of the day, it’s simple: children come first. Child maintenance – regular, fair and reliable -is on way we can prove that to them.