@KTM,
I believe there were some assumptions made that need to be addressed. Though I do not agree with many of the things you said, I will only address the ones that I can personally comment on. I understand your frustration with dads that do not want to pay child support or try to get out of it. But I am asking you to please not stereotype me as one of those and respond in that manner. I do not consider child support a sacrifice, I consider it a privileged to provide for my children no matter what home they at.
1. I have no problem paying child support, nor have I felt it wasn't "worth the sacrifice"
2. I am able and always have been able to focus on my children's needs.
3. I have never abandoned my children for work.
4. My children have never not been able to participate in ECAs due to me not being able to get them to the practices.
5. I have never not been able to help my children with their homework due to work
6. My responsibility for the socioeconomic differences is only a percentage and responsibility needs to be taken on BOTH sides.
7. I do not see CS recipients as freeloaders.
8. Both children attended daycare full time prior to the divorce. They are now in school and do not require after school care (or any other) during their weeks with me.
This is what I was trying to say and I feel @Guru said it very well in their post as well.
1. I have no problem paying child support
2. I believe that Mom should be required to work full time as an elementary school teacher as her degree would allow.
3. I believe that Mom should be responsible to provide for herself financially (rent, food, utilities, transportation, etc) as well as be financially responsible for a portion of the children's needs.
4. I have a standing offer to Mom to provide for the cost of classes to get her teaching license current.
5. I have a flexible work schedule and the children have never suffered from my work schedule.
6. I have tried to minimize the children's disruptions, but I am not responsible for decisions that Mom makes -not wanting to obtain full time employment or even consistent part time employment, having additional children out of wedlock (who are in full time daycare even though she does not work full time), not working to her potential, relying on government assistance, her church and friends to help her get by, living in 7 different homes in the last 4.5 years, etc.
I hope this helps you understand that I am not the stereotypical deadbeat dad. I love my kids and want their mom to succeed.