is it worth working?

msmicawber

Hi Wazza,

Yes, Aly's right - the poverty trap does exist for those of us who aren't work-shy too. I know because I'm in it myself. All I can suggest is that you wait until your youngest is at school full-time, then start looking for jobs in educational establishments or education related service industries where there are more term-time only school hours jobs. If you're any good with computers, that's a good in, or lab technician - would something like that fit your qualifications/experience? Under Equal Opportunities legislation, you can apply for family-friendly hours. Although these tend to be thought of as the preserve of women, they are equally open to men.

As far as the housework etc. is concerned - it is just tiring doing everything without assistance or a break, but they won't be little forever, and they won't remember you being cranky (my mother tells me she was, but none of us remember that). At least you own your home - in rented accommodation you get regular checks by managing agents, so can't afford to let the housework and gardening standards slip. Have a look at the flylady challenge on the Old Style board for tips on speedy chores. It helps if you get the children used to putting their toys away, their dirty laundry in the basket, etc. when they're small. Little children want to help, so if you can get them into good habits young, then hopefully some of it will remain when they get to the truculent teenage stage.

Good luck.

msmicawber

P.S. It's not worth it financially for me to work, but I do it so that my self-esteem doesn't sink any lower, to try and be as good a role model for my children as I can, and to stop people from writing me off as dole-bludging scum.

krashovr10ad

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Just read the post by mummymania and I couldn't believe it - £1800 for 18 hours/week...

I work 40 hours & 6 days a week, my partner 16 hours to fit around her daughters schooling and I have a son who I pay the CSA for...

Shall I stop there..? Yep, you guessed it - we are left with less than income support level allowances (although they assure us we're not!!) since I moved into her house...

As a couple we have lost the WTC and everything else - I am looking at moving back out so that we can to live without borrowing from family/friends and getting deeper in debt...

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fuzzgun19

mummymania wrote:

I am a single mum to 3 girls aged 4, 5 & 12 with no friends or family to help with childcare. Me and dh split when youngest was 12 months and I ddn't work for 3 yrs - went back a year ago today, I earn £7k for 18 hours work. I have to pay full rent and council tax (£450 pm total) have to pay nursery (£230 pm) and manage to squeeze my hours into 3 days a week so I still get 2 days off + weekend. I get wtc of £395 pm, salary £600 pm and ctc of £800pm, although obviously some of this is to cover monthly nursery plus holiday club for the other 2. So my net income per month is £1800 which I can comfortably live off and save £200 - £300 pm too.

Have a look at https://www.entitledto.co.uk - you will be surprised. I am MUCH better off than on benefits, other than knackered, aged prematurely, depressed and can't be bothered to cook or clean my house......haha can't find the smiley face!

If you have no family/friends, what do you do if one of your children wakes up feeling poorly? and what about the school hols?

This is my problem with finding work... holidays, and emergency childcare, as I also have no family close enough, or friends.

Its ok for ppl who have a good help network around them..

wazza

fuzzgun19 wrote:

If you have no family/friends, what do you do if one of your children wakes up feeling poorly? and what about the school hols?

..

my thoughts exactly.

wish to thank those who had replied and good to know that i was not wrong in thinking i will be worse off working