"Nothing can go wrong": Single father worries about the future

Created: 01/09/2023 07:22

By: Andreas Steppan

A single father from the district worries about his children.

© Symbolic picture: Monika Skolimowska

The situation of single parents is often precarious.

This mostly affects women.

But Thorsten Z. (name changed) is no better off as a father.

The Tölzer Kurier collects donations as part of the "Readers help help" series.

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen – Three of his children live with him, his marriage broke up this year.

The mid-thirties from the district also has back problems that make it difficult for him to earn a living for his family.

The increased prices are now doing the rest: His everyday life consists of constant worries and a lot of arithmetic.

"They're talking about an inflation rate of ten percent," says Thorsten Z. But the prices for everyday goods have risen much more, he calculates.

The cheapest pasta from the discount store, toilet paper, ground beef: for all these goods and more he rattles off past and present prices by heart.

"You think twice about still making Bolognese." The children between the early teenage and kindergarten ages should at least have what they need, that's his biggest concern.

"They're already so low key anyway, and they're happy to share a bag of chips at the weekend."

Our Bad Tölz newsletter keeps you regularly informed about all the important stories from your region.

Sign up here.

Single father from Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - A new job is hard to find

The message from his energy supplier also gives Thorsten Z. a headache: electricity prices will rise massively in 2023.

He already saves electricity where he can, has replaced all the lamps in the apartment with LEDs and only turns on the PC to look for job offers.

He is currently receiving Hartz IV (now citizenship allowance), so his energy costs are paid for.

But that shouldn't be the case this year.

He really wants to go back to work.

"I want to be a role model for the kids and show them that you shouldn't just rely on welfare payments coming in."

But since Thorsten Z. suffered a herniated disc, he has been extremely limited when looking for a job.

He couldn't work for a long time, even now standing or sitting for long periods of time is out of the question, and his body doesn't allow for more than part-time work either.

Thorsten Z. also notices at home that he is not the same again.

"When I want to lift the little one, I reach my limits."

The donation accounts for the “Leser helfen helfen” campaign © tk

Single father worries about his future: Everything has to be calculated exactly

Of course, it would be easier if Thorsten Z. had completed his training.

But he became a father for the first time just a few days after his 18th birthday - this first child now lives with the mother - and even then he put family first, he reports.

He is happy that he will start an internship this year.

It could be a fresh start for him.

Despite the adversity, Thorsten Z. manages to get through everyday life, only: "Nothing can go wrong," he says.

If a child's shoes or a piece of clothing are damaged during a schoolyard scuffle, he has to calculate exactly how and when he can replace it.

In case he unexpectedly needs to replace the washing machine or fridge, he has nothing on the high edge.

also read

Woman falls 80 meters on the Herzogstand in front of her children

TO READ

Mourning for Rosi Mittermaier in the Isarwinkel: "You took our hearts by storm"

TO READ

A walk at Walchensee ends in the accident clinic

TO READ

Moralt-Areal: Tölzer have over 100 ideas for the future

TO READ

"It was a historic day": Citizens from the district at the Pope's funeral

TO READ

Fancy a journey of discovery?

My space

Almost a third cannot meet unexpected expenses

Single father from Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - savings used up

He used up his small savings during the summer holidays, he reports.

Normally, the children eat at school, and the job center then covers the costs.

"During the holidays I cooked for everyone every day." The time with the children was nice - but also a burden on the budget.

You can find more current news from the region around Bad Tölz at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.