Me and my child's mother were in our very late teens, and still dumb to the world. By the time my child was born, me and her mother were two broke unemployed college dropouts. I stayed in that stage longer, as she got on her feet, and started making pretty good money. When I finally got me a full time job (a dime or two above minimum wage), she didn't even want child support. This changed later on, and she demanded I pay at least something, with my broke a**. I couldn't afford but so much, so the amount was small. But if she had taken me to court, I probably would have never gotten on my feet. I started paying more later on, however once I got my degree, and started my IT job, she bought up the child support topic a few times. But by that time, my child was a teenager, plus I was paying her the amount she wanted, which was a lot more, but not as much as it could have been if it went to the courts. But I understand she partied pretty well with that amount. However, she was never able to get back on her career path once she lost that good paying job.
I think one of the biggest reasons she never took me to court later, was because at one time, she was doing real bad, and eventually got evicted, while I was in my career doing real well. Times had changed by then, and I probably could have won custody, if she did try to sue me for child support. So she was better off taking the money I was giving her. I didn't realize until later, how easily I could have one custody, even before she lost her place. So it wasn't always about her giving me a break.
I was almost in this same situation about 23 years later. Sometimes, I think I was in this situation again during the time I lived here in Atlanta. And I was already old as shyt..lol.
Then I hear these guys always talking about eating well, meanwhile you could easily find your self paying child support again at the peak of your earning years, or even as an old man.
money and material things aren't the only thing that can enrich your life.
