My Parents Helping Out...

C.,
I don't think your parents would have any trouble understanding your situation especially since you just used your bill money to buy the clothes that they intended to buy with their monetary gift. If they don't know about your current financial struggles, maybe try talking to them. Parents make for good listeners most of the time. If you don't want them to know about your situation, then just thank them for the gift and know that things always work out for a reason. Someone knew that you needed a little help right now and it just happened to come from your parents. No shame in that!

Yes use the money on the bill. You could also use this as an opportunity to talk to your parents about your struggles without telling exactly what happened. You could say something like, "Thank you so much for helping out with my sons school clothes. I didn't know how I was going to be able to get them without letting bills slide. Now, thanks to your help, I had the money to take care of his clothes and get the bills taken care of." That way you can give them the proper thanks they deserve, and let them know a little about your struggles without giving too much away, and without sounding like your begging for anything. I know going to parents about things like that can be tough, and it's not always the best option. It's good they helped out even if they didn't know your situation.

V.

Absolutely use the money for the bill. Think of it as using the money they sent you to buy the supplies before you actually got it. Even if you didn't know you were getting any extra money. That's what you have to look at. Just think of it that way. You spent money on school supplies, whether it was your money or your parents money it's all the same. Furthermore, they sent the money to you. That means it is yours to use for whatever you feel is best for you and your son. He doesn't need school supplies so use it for anything you like.

Absolutely, pay the bill. If you used the bill money to buy the things that your sone needs for school already, then it would make the most sense to pay the bill with the gift money.

Hi C., I was a single mom for a long time (with no child support). I can totally relate. YES!!! By all means, use that money for your bills. It is just as important for your sons well being that you get your bills paid. My son's grandmother would send me a check out of her own pocket for about two years (probably out of guilt that I didn't get child support from her son) and if I had a good month I would put that money in a savings account for him. But if we needed the money to pay bills I used it. That's what it's for. The way I looked at it was that he needed me to be happy and healthy and if I was stressing about how to pay the bills, which I did alot, then I wasn't as good for him. I hope that makes sense. Look at it as a blessing. The money they sent you just makes up for the money you already spent on school. So don't let you bills get behind. Sounds like you are working hard to keep up with everything and you deserved that. Hang in there! I wish you the best.'
M.

the way my husband and I view money is that it goes in one big pot. Once it's mixed in the pot it's impossible to tell where each individual dollar came from. I think that since you've already dipped into the pot for your son's school clothes you can add your parent's money to the pot and use it for whatever you need. It sounds like your parents want to help you and the money they sent doesn't have to go to exactly what they sent it for. I don't designate my child support just for things for my son--it goes in the pot with all my other money.

You shouldn't think twice about it. Any money your parents gave you is ultimately to help you and your son -whether for school or for bills. It's all about surival and taking care of what's important. Don't ever feel guilty for taking care of your family.

Of course, use the money! The last thing you want is to be late on your bills...just think of the money going in to a big pot and what you spent on clothes/supplies came from what your parents gave you.

Bottom line, money is interchangeable, your son has what he needs for school, now you use whatever money you have to take care of those bills and never think twice about it. I was raised by a single, strong hardworking mom like yourself and you have the hardest job in the world, so I applaud you. Best of luck to you in your custody battle, I hope your son knows how lucky he is to have a mother so driven to give him a great life.

I think it says a lot about your character that you are concerned about this issue. That said, I agree with everyone here that you should use the money to pay a bill that you have, since you were short of money for the bills due to school expenses.

Best of luck!
B.

I believe it's okay. It's not like you're blowing the money on something stupid and not needed. I was saving change for my daughter from when I got pregnant and I still do, and I hated it because when I left my daughter's father, I had to use some of it to pay a bill...but I promised to pay it back as soon as I got my taxes and I even put double. Lol! But, you had to use the bill money to buy the items, so use that money to pay the bill! :)

If he has what he needs, that's fine. You would have used it for it's intended purpose if you got it sooner.

that one is easy...yes..use the money how u need to...im sure they would understand...as long as its being used for him, technically it should be right...

C.,

I'm very sad for your situation. Please understand that you are a mother first. Your first priority is to pay the rent, electric, water, and food, everything else is a sacrificial decision.

Evaluate your needs versus wants. I understand you want your child to have the very best, and you want to give him money that was sent for him, but I'm sure he would not like to go three days or a week without electric, or without showering, ect.

Also, if you do not pay the bills, it is one more thing the courts can use against you. Trust me, my husband (once upon a time soon to be ex) tried. He was slowly building his case against me.

If you're under that much hardship, you need to set your pride aside and be honest with those who can help you pull through.

J.