I married my high school sweetheart when I was 17. We had three children by the time I was 23. My husband went through many different types of employment, as many do, searching for their niche. Once he decided he would be a hair stylist, he went to school for that. As he was in school and I was raising the children, we had very little, poor housing, one bad vehicle after another, no phone, no amenities, etc.

He had an affair of sorts while in school and I was pregnant with the third child. Once he graduated, he got a job with a high profile salon and was doing fairly well, but the kids and I never saw the money.

After a few years, he decided he would go back to school to be an A/C repairman! By this time -- I had never had a chance to go to formal school -- I was working a full-time and two part-time jobs to pay the bills and the kids were in school. Once he finished his school and got his license, he was never home. I suspected other women but could never prove it.

Eventually his drinking and treatment of the kids while I was at work was more than I could take. I left him, took the kids, got a small apartment and tried to survive. He never paid more than $225 total per month in child support, never paid a penny over that for anything else, like insurance, braces, schooling, etc. I did that all myself.

He re-married, built a huge home, owns many expensive vehicles, boats, cycles, campers, etc., had more children and never saw his (my) children again. He didn't even go to their graduations. He has never seen his grandchild.

I do believe it was a start over for me as I have done well for myself, and am not dependent upon a man for anything now. I am glad my daughter was able to see me struggle, survive and excel, so that she knows that she does not ever HAVE to depend on a man. She can be a success herself.

-- Peggy T.