single mum..work!?!.how is it possible??

no-oneknowsme

SilkHankies wrote: »

A bit strong and presumptuous! Thousands of single Mums have ZERO support. No ex partner, no family and friends usually in the same boat and unable to help. THAT is the reaility. DO you have any idea how much holiday clubs cost?? Do you really think that employers will let you have leave, paid or otherwise every school half term and holiday?? WHAT planet are you living on????

Silk hankies.....In your post you quoted a user by the name of "fengirl" and you asked what planet she was living on....

Unfortunately this poster passed away around 6 months ago and so im afraid she will not be around to answer you!

I understand that you wernt to know this.

no-oneknowsme

Why did you delete your post Oldernotwiser?

Valli

SilkHankies wrote: »

A bit strong and presumptuous! Thousands of single Mums have ZERO support. No ex partner, no family and friends usually in the same boat and unable to help. THAT is the reaility. DO you have any idea how much holiday clubs cost?? Do you really think that employers will let you have leave, paid or otherwise every school half term and holiday??

In which case they need to start to build up a support network (also called friends).

Some employers have term time only contracts for working mums (I know of two mums who got these).

I also have known of childminders who mind 24/7 - for shiftworking parents. (These parents worked in the NHS).

There are ways round it.

Wailing that childcare is unavailable/unaffordable is often the first refuge of single mums who don't WANT to work.

And, just for the record, I'm a working single mum. My children are now old enough to be left so it HAS become easier.

GoodNewmover

MzJones wrote: »

Hi, I'm newly divorced and have been on income support for the last 12 months whilst my divorce went through, now that my youngest child has turned 7 years old I'm being told that I've gotta go onto JSA and return to work...how on earth can I do this with all the teacher training days and school holidays...my oldest is 12, am I supposed to let him stay home alone when it's school holiday time...help...how do others in this situation with no close family to help out cope with this???????

''I'm a 27 year old mom, wife, and full-time Nursing student. After a full day of seeing the husband off to work, chasing around my 6 year old, and having my head between medical books, I sit down and unwind by creating anything I can with my hands.'' (seller on a site). It can be done, depends on how you manage your time/work. Sacrifices have to be made to get what you want/need.

Childcare - huge list and helpful info if you still need it.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Childcare/index.htm

michelle1506

I thought you came across as friendly and down to earth, and besides you are not wrong. There ARE loads of snooty people on here that look down on those claiming benefits. The really amusing thing is that they are often in receipt of a form of cash benefit themselves! :rotfl:

UnderPressure wrote: »

I have to admit I missed the mortgage bit, mmmmmmm tricky I suppose especially if it is a big mortgae, so what would the OP do then say if she had a 6-700 pound a month mortgage would it even be possible to work and claim enough to pay this and have any quality of life?

Would she be expected to sell the home and rent somewhere? I suppose so kind of makes sense, I have read some of you posts in other threads DMG and you seem to know what you are tlaking about when it comes to things like this so maybe you could offer some advice re mortgage?

So far as being a hypocrite I dont think so, yes I may have used to odd nayghty word if that offended the OP then please accept my appology, it was meant to come across as down to earth and friendly (towards the OP anyhow) but I still stand by what I said so far as the judgemental snooty crew, I wont go over it again it is said many times on these forums by many people.......................

dmg24

michelle1506 wrote: »

I thought you came across as friendly and down to earth, and besides you are not wrong. There ARE loads of snooty people on here that look down on those claiming benefits. The really amusing thing is that they are often in receipt of a form of cash benefit themselves! :rotfl:

Someone else that can't read the date ...

looby75

GoodNewmover wrote: »

Childcare - huge list and helpful info if you still need it.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Childcare/index.htm

unfortunately the info on the link above is often out of date

When you click on the link for childcare age 5-11 and then onto the link for my county (durham) the info is totally wrong.

It says that there is 1 childminder in my area (woo hoo one whole childminder lol) but she doesn't childmind anymore and hasn't done for a couple of years now. She's asked for her details to be removed because she's getting constant calls from desperate parents looking for none existent childcare but the council never get round to updating the site

It might be better and more up to date in other areas though, so still worth a look, just wanted to give a word of warning to anyone using it though.

Valli

for anybody looking for childcare ask...

try asking local schools/nurseries/health visitors as they often have more up-to-date info

and IF you find a childminder who is full that person may well know others who childmind.

And I know this a resurrected thread but, having been resurrected it might as well contain useful info because anyone searching will come across it...

Racheldevon

Your local council will have something like a child care referral advisor who can support you in finding suitable childcare. This usually is good if you have any anxieties about finding something suitable, want to try taster sessions which are paid for, or if you have an usual working patter/hours etc.

dickydonkin

UnderPressure wrote: »

Hello, firstly welcome to the forums

Secondly ignore snooty people on here there are a lot of judgmental idiots on here that have a perfect life and look down their noses on anyone who claims any sort of benefits, the laughable part about it is most of these types sit at home all day on their !!!!!! whilst their husbands go to work, just ignore them there is plenty here so when you read a post like "ooooohhhhhhh make you children proud and contribute" just move on.......................

For every 1 ridiculous comment you will generally get 2 people manners that are genuine and want to help

OK I completely understand where you are coming from, it can be a nightmare as has been said if you work 16 hours or over you can get working and child tax credit and help of about 80% towards the cost of childcare, so far as hoidays some nurseries for some ridiculous reason I have never understoond why shut in school holidays so as others have said you need to look into clubs and childminders for this. Where is the childrens dad? Can he not help out in the school holidays??

Also you will probably be better of starting part timr 20 hoursish a week will get you your working tax credit which will top your money up to a full time wage, dependant on your circumstances you should also be eligable for some council tax and housing benefit, moving back into work will be a great positive thing for you to do, if you can find a job you like and balance the child care then Im sure you will be a lot happier, as has been suggested try the local supermarkets etc they are used to catering for school hours workers, are you near a town centre?? Try shops and stores there, you could do a lot worst than actually go to the job centre and tell them the issues I am sure they will have heard the same things before so will have the relevant information there to help you sort things out.

If all else fails the Citizens Advice Bureau are fantastic and again will be able to point you in the right direction of child care providers and also help you sort out eberything that you are entitled to.

Chin up dont worry, there are hundreds of people in your place that have all asked the same questions, there is a job somehwere for you and I am sure with a bit of help from the relevant people the child care should be a doddle

As said ignore the snotties on here there seems to be more and more self opinionated people full of complete sh*t joining every week, and as said there are also loads of genuine people that will be more than happy to try and help in any way they can.

Good on you for asking the questions

Best of luck..........................

Good post UnderPressure and it was an odds on certainty who would be the first to respond to your honest assertion. It is a shame the ignore button doesn't hide quotes.

The truth hurts sometimes!

I concur with U.P. and wish the OP good luck in her search for a job - although I suspect due to the time that has lapsed since the OP - the matter will be resolved (hopefully) although there are still some useful snippets on the thread that are still relevant.