no childcare

balletshoes

oppostar wrote: »

Balletshoes i had been doing college courses, local courses and open university, my dad was able to sit with the kids until i came home but has just finished a course of chemo so i won't be asking him again. Also i want and need to go back to work, i have a lot of friends who are carers and recommend it but i can't do shift work. Been that long now my confidence is rock bottom but if i can get childcare sorted i would bite the bullet

definitely work towards biting that bullet , good on you for working towards it.
Ask at your youngest's school if they have any before/after school provision, or if they know of childminders who pick up/drop off at the school.
Start now with helping both your children, but especially your elder one, to get a bit of independence before and after school - if they are at all sensible kids a 12-year old should be okay letting themselves into the house after school, fixing themselves a sandwich and a drink, and getting on with their homework/getting changed etc for half an hour or an hour on their own. As other parents say (and they're right) at 11/12 kids are getting themselves to school on public transport, taking 2 buses, trains etc across town, every day.

oppostar

OH leaves at 6.30 and home at 5.30, mind you he has flexi time

Cherry_Bomb

Do you drive?

If so and it's definitely care you want to get into then I'd go for being a home carer. It's way more flexible than nursing home type settings. As long as you're covering the busiest times of day, either morning or evening I don't see why you couldn't offer a 7 - 2:30 shift. Obviously if yourOH can sort of flexitime 2 or 3 days a week

Alikay

Temping during term-time and only working school hours was the only way I could manage it. I also worked evenings on a temporary contract for 3 or 4 years on and off. The work was sporadic, well beneath my capabilities (and I'm not being conceited here...it was mind-numbingly dull!) and the pay not brilliant, but it kept the wolf from the door

PolishBigSpender

In Poland, a 12 year old that required child care (assuming that there was nothing wrong with him mentally/physically) would be laughed out of the school. Children come/go to school alone from the age of 7/8 - there really is absolutely no reason for a 12 year old to be 'looked after'!

The 12 year old can look after the 9 year old. Simple.

WantToBeSE

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

In Poland, a 12 year old that required child care (assuming that there was nothing wrong with him mentally/physically) would be laughed out of the school. Children come/go to school alone from the age of 7/8 - there really is absolutely no reason for a 12 year old to be 'looked after'!

The 12 year old can look after the 9 year old. Simple.

Does that include the school holidays, so 9-5 Mon-Fri?

Carl31

pinkshoes wrote: »

Mine is only 2, my childcare is £1000/month. To get round the school holiday issue when he's older, I'm currently retraining to be a teacher.

I know people who take a week of holiday to look after their and someone elses child too, then the other parent does the next week.

Genuine question, would it not be more beneficial to take a part time job and be a sahm? Or do you have a job that still gives a greater benefit even with the cost?

Just curious. A lot of my friends have childcare, yet their earnings only return that which a modest part time job would after they have paid their monthly childcare

oppostar

i don't drive thats another problem and something i'm working towards.

As for the 12 year old looking after the 9 year old they would tear each other to bits lol

themull1

My daughter goes to school and comes in before me, she's 13, but has been doing it since she was 12.

merlot123

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

In Poland, a 12 year old that required child care (assuming that there was nothing wrong with him mentally/physically) would be laughed out of the school. Children come/go to school alone from the age of 7/8 - there really is absolutely no reason for a 12 year old to be 'looked after'!

The 12 year old can look after the 9 year old. Simple.

I wouldn't have left my 12 year old with a 9 year old.

I work term time now as I still wouldn't leave my 13 year old home alone whilst I went to work full time in the holidays.

It's difficult having no family and the child care at the summer camp has a waiting list. I had to take a job, any job that fitted in with my children.

Op, could you and your OH spilt your holidays in order to cover some of the holidays and see if you get them into summer/holiday care for the reminder of the time.
Merlot123