[WillowTheWhisp]

Well it does tend to be the single Mums who end up in low paid jobs. Not saying that single Dads don't struggle to be able to work and look after kids but if there's a relationship breakdown the Dad has probably been in work when the children were little whereas the Mum may not have been, so if he's suddenly alone with the children he is likely to already have a decent job (OK, maybe not always) which hasn't had a break in the employment record so he's probably more likey to be already earning a reasonabl wage and more likely to be able to pay for childcare than a woman left on her own with kids who has to start looking for work if she has been at home looking after them up to then. It would be harder for her to find a job which would pay enough to cover childcare or alternatively to fit in with school hours and holidays. Does that make more sense?

I honestly don't know how any lone parent manages with the possibilities of children's illnesses and accidents, if theres more than one child that multiplies the possible time off work that would be needed. On the one hand the government is saying that parents should take responsibility for their children and on the other hand they are saying the lone parent should be elsewhere and someone else caring for their child.

As far as the age of the children goes, although a 14 year old may very well be a capable baby sitter that's a bit different to expecting a 14 year old to be able to take control of a rebellious younger sibling of say 12 or 10.