Lone Parent working 16hr wishing to stop work can I claim benefit?

Oldernotwiser

Valli wrote: »

I know it isn't easy juggling work and childcare, but there are some childminders who will do overnights and weekends for shift working parents. I know this because I have a friend who did overnights when she was a childminder; also my daughter's friend's mum and her new hubby use an overnight/weekend childminder for their toddler son, as they are both full time, shiftworking paramedics.

And what an excellent business opportunity for someone who lives in an area where this isn't available and who is also a qualified paediatric nurse!

paddygirl

missmontana wrote: »

To the OP, s0d what everyone else thinks, you have to do what is best for you and your family.

Living below the bread line is hardly the best thing for anyone!

missmontana

paddygirl wrote: »

Living below the bread line is hardly the best thing for anyone!

Sometimes its not about the money.

zagfles

paddygirl wrote: »

Living below the bread line is hardly the best thing for anyone!

Single parents on benefits are not below the breadline.

zagfles

FBaby wrote: »

I think we agree. My DD would not be deemed at risk, that's why I am happy with her being on her own. If I did, they I wouldn't leave her.

The exemple of the stairs is silly. A 16 year old would be as likely to have an accident rushing down at the sound of the door bell. Could the parent be prosecuted then? There are some accidents that can happen at 12, 14 or 16. You can't protect your children forever because of a slight chance of something happening. As a parent, you can't prevent all accident, whether with them or not. She could get run over on her way to school, just like she could get knocked by a tile falling off a roof.

And don't forget that a car is just about the most dangerous place a child goes. So if there's a choice between home alone or a trip in a car them home alone is safer!

zagfles

FBaby wrote: »

Going back to the OP issue, we now know that the issue is childcare. What we don't know is what the OP has done previously to sort this out. Is there anyway her mum could continue to look after the children on the sundays (is it every sundays?) or can't a friend help, or the obvious the dad?, his parents? whilst the OP looks for another job weekly only? OP is trained in an field that is normally in much demand.

Considering going on benefits should be the absolute last resort because once you are in that trap, it is much harder to get out of it then if you can stick to your current job and look for a more appropriate one. I have two friends who used to work, stopped when they had their first child, then when they found themselves single, decided to go on benefits with the intention of going back to work after a couple of years. They got used to it, their confidence about being able to cope with a job went down, and with now their youngest having just start school, are finding it impossible to get a job. One got pregnant again, an accident...., the other is looking for a job but despairing. Her self-esteem is very low and she is persuaded that no one will want to employ her, which of course makes her less employable. It really isn't just a case of taking a break from employment.

I think it's also a case that some single parents find out that they won't be that much better off in work. IME mothers with working partners are far more likely to go back to work after a break to look after pre-school children than single mothers are (and that's a criticism of the system rather than the choices people make).

But personally I'm with the OP on this - I wouldn't put my pre-school child into childcare, I'd want them looked after by someone who loves them rather than someone who does it as a job. Possibly Granny etc, but otherwise one of the parent(s). Once they're school age the separation anxiety tends to go and I wouldn't have any issue with childcare.

Sixer

zagfles wrote: »

And don't forget that a car is just about the most dangerous place a child goes. So if there's a choice between home alone or a trip in a car them home alone is safer!

Well, this may well be because many children travel in cars (with their parents) but few are left home alone!

miamoo

You could look at other forms of childcare. Have you considered a Nanny? I am available to work 7 days a week, including overnights and am OFSTED registered, so you can still claim the majority of your childcare fee's back through tax credits. Lots of Nanny's will work weekends and overnights, your children would be in there home enviroment, and are getting 1-1 care with the same person. Most Nannys will do light cleaning/washing, cook dinner (including for you if needed) which will also lighten your load abit. Worth considering if you do want to continue working.