Thanks for the advice. Currently, the father is bashing me via email, calling me "money-hungry", suspecting me of being a tramp who possibly slept with his brother. He also told me online that he's unemployed, $10,000 in debt, has three kids by three different women, has never been married, owned a new car or a new house. Most of this information he's withheld from me.

So he's accusing me of things online, and after arguing with him for a bit, I deleted his latest and asked to call a truce with him, explaining that there's a child to worry about, and that we're fighting over petty, useless things.

I still have not heard from him. He's looking like a very bad father for my child right now, but I'm only at 8 weeks. So only time will tell. I'm not worried if I don't hear from him...really now, it's so ridiculous. But if I NEVER hear from him, I'll have to take the action you suggested.

PS: Who wrote that poem in your signature? It sounds very Elliott Smith...

I think it's perfectly fine to use assistance programs as long as that's not your only plan. They are there to help people and while I realize a lot of people take advantage of the system for their own selfish gain, the majority of people are using these programs as a stepping stool to something better. Your school probably offers a daycare program, and most schools have a sliding scale for payment. Or you could do what I've done since having kids and do all your classes online! You will probably meet other mothers who are willing to help you out ; you watch their kids on your day off and they watch yours on their day off. It will be hard and it will take a lot of juggling but you can make it work :-)

Sounds like your child would be better off without him!! Take him to court for child support and don't push visitation!!