Still confused re Child Maintenance

Thanks MissTish1,
Yes they are generally amicable - which almost makes it harder to sort out the finances! And we were never very good at working out anything financial when we were together.
We are still able to do stuff together as a family on occasion and I hope we will be able to maintain that in the future. Neither of us want to use the CSA at all but at present my ex just doesn''t seem to accept any need to pay any maintenance at all. And although I don''t doubt that he will pay for things he can be a bit flaky at times and I end up being the one to put my hand in my pocket despite the fact that his earnings are twice mine. And I really don''t want to be in a situation that I have to either ask constantly or take money from a joing a/c to fund such things. Life''s too short;)
If he doesn''t come back with some sort of offer then maybe your suggestion of asking him to pay for specific things such as school dinners/mobile phone/drama classes that I might currently be paying for may be a good one - that would leave me with more money towards the general living expenses whilst he felt in control of the spending. Sometimes it just needs a fresh eye to look at things from a different angle - thanks!

Just quick update - still not had proper meeting with ex. Got postponed from today till tomorrow at his request (fairly typical!) but he did give me a brief proposal to consider. He is suggesting letting me have £60 per month and our son £40 per month as an allowance. I think this is additional to the £6 per week pocket money he gets at moment.
Personally I don''t think its enough given the CSA calculator suggests £43 per week. I have separately totted up various expenditures re our son including music lessons and drama classes, Woodcraft Folk, dinner money, annual Woodcraft residential,school trips & social life (cinema, parties etc)etc and that worked out at about £25-30 per week.
I think I''m going to suggest that if he only gives me £60 per month (which will go towards household bills) then he should pay all or most of those costs (& that should give him the control he needs) and we will split clothing bill between us somehow.
Let''s hope he thinks that''s reasonable.

Good luck but my main point would be try to keep it amicable for your son.

If it ends up that he gives you the £43 per week but stops everything else, including your sons pocket money, would there be any winners.

Sounds extreme but its the sort of thing people do especially if they are controlling by nature.