I have three children aged between 6 and 10, and I have to watch every penny to keep us afloat. The children's father and I separated two years ago. Fortunately, we live in a council flat with reasonable rent. Even so, we are stretched to the limit financially every month.
I budget around 500 Swiss francs for food and household expenses, which I use to buy groceries and everything else we need for the household. Sometimes we treat ourselves to a piece of meat, but as a rule we can't afford it. That's why we eat an almost exclusively vegetarian diet.
We don't own a car, and we only holiday in Switzerland. Fortunately, we can use a holiday home belonging to friends and don't have to pay much rent. I know full well that we are «poor» in the traditional Swiss sense, but I'm not ashamed of our lifestyle. Its simplicity and modesty reflect my philosophy of life.
I am sure that children can be taught important values from a very early age. And these values do not include expensive holidays in faraway countries or every child having their own room. We want for nothing. We lead a wonderful, balanced life – and yes, we have to watch our budget.
I teach my children many values that go beyond how much money you have.
My children wear clothes from second-hand shops, but I don't think they are ever poorly or shabbily dressed. Among my friends, it is quite normal for us to exchange and pass on clothes and toys instead of always buying new ones.
I teach my children many values that go beyond how much money a family has. They even find it strange when they visit friends who live in big houses. They live modestly and appreciate this fact. That can't be a bad thing for their future.
I work part-time in a social institution. My ex-husband doesn't pay much maintenance. But he makes up for it by being a present father. The children see him regularly, and we discuss together how we want our children to grow up.
Both he and I live with new partners. My partner also has children of his own. It's not always easy, but it's also enriching. We muddle through, but I don't think the children suffer as a result. Because we are always honest with them, and that can't be so harmful for them in the long run.
