Dear MizzB
I’m a 34-year-old widow. My husband died in 2005 while I was still pregnant. Later on I met someone and we have been in a relationship for nine years. We have a three-year-old together but he is married. He only gives me R600 a month for the child and I know that he earns R43 000 per month. When I ask him for more, he says that he is already taking care of too many people. I do not want to go to maintenance court to force him to do the right thing because I want him to give out of love. I love this man. Please tell me what to do.
Frustrated
Dear Frustrated
Dating a married man or woman means that you are ready and willing to be second or third best in his life. Letting your partner know how you feel about him not taking responsibility for you and the child is a clear step to show him that you are not happy with the way he does things. Having other additional responsibilities should not stop him from providing the necessary funds for his child. Communication is the only tool to put things into perspective for the other person to understand.
