no childcare

Janepig

My two are 9 and 7 and I drop them off at 7.40am when their school breakfast club opens so I'm at work by 8.15am-8.30am and then I finish in time to be back at the school between 2.30pm-3pm to pick them up. That's five days a week. When they were babies they went to a day nursery up to 3 days a week, which cost a bit but was worth it for me to keep my hand in with my job as if I'd left I'd never have got a similar sort of job back (even our receptionists have law degrees now!). Actually, talking of breakfast club, I think they were set up for kids who wouldn't otherwise have breakfast to make sure they have something to eat, but certainly in the case of our school, it's all the working parents that utilise it!!

In the holidays we tend to be able to split it between me and DH with maybe a day or two covered by MIL. So for instance on a half term week, I'd have Monday and Tuesday off, he'd have Thursday and Friday, and they'd go to MIL on the Wednesday. The longer holidays are also split between us but we also like to have at least a week where we're all home together to go on some outings, etc... I think last July and August, MIL ended up having to do about 5 days tops.

DD loves the holiday sports camp at the local leisure centre which costs the thick end of £20 for all day (with food) so I sometimes give in and let her do that instead of going to MIL. DS isn't old enough yet but he really wants to do that too.

When DD gets to comp she may well end up getting home before me because I'll be fetching DS from primary school (it's too far for him to walk) but she'll just have to cope!

Jx

Glitter_girl_2

How about working nights and sleeping while they are at school. We both work full time and pay no child care x

SkintGypsy

emsywoo123 wrote: »

I'm trying to ask a question but I KNOW this is going to come across as rude, but its really not meant to.....
But when do you see your children? Genuinely curious!

Not to butt in, but I would presume after her working day ends and weekends, like most full time working parents??

emsywoo123

SkintGypsy wrote: »

Not to butt in, but I would presume after her working day ends and weekends, like most full time working parents??

But if her DD is at nursery full time, I assume she must go to bed shortly after being collected from nursery?

I'm just asking!

SkintGypsy

I'm sure you are.

Glitter_girl_2

emsywoo123 wrote: »

I'm trying to ask a question but I KNOW this is going to come across as rude, but its really not meant to.....
But when do you see your children? Genuinely curious!

After work?
Weekends?
Holidays?

I'm sure lots of parents would love to spend more time with their children but a lot of family's are struggling now due to the recession and have no choice

emsywoo123

SkintGypsy wrote: »

I'm sure you are.

I'm sure I am too!

It was a genuine question.

emsywoo123

Glitter_girl wrote: »

I'm sure lots of parents would love to spend more time with their children but a lot of family's are struggling now due to the recession and have no choice

I don't doubt this.

PolishBigSpender

WantToBeSE wrote: »

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

Yes. Due to the way that Polish schools work (children in the first six years of schools are unlikely to attend more than 20 hours a week) - it is absolutely normal for children from the age of 7 to be at home. There are after-school clubs available, but in general, these are only open to the first three years of primary school. School holidays are longer too - almost 2 months.

It would be seen as exceptionally strange if a 12 year old couldn't look after a 9 year old. The comment about "they would kill each other" is unbelievable to me - why wouldn't a 12 year old be mature and sensible enough to actually care for their younger sibling rather than fighting?

I believe the UK also has no laws against children being "home alone".

Kaz2904

I work nights and DH works days. He does Mon-Fri 9-5.30 and I do whatever day I'm rostered for 7.45pm until 08.15 am. I sleep whilst they're at school. Not ideal.
I would like to get back onto days eventually. Can't until DS is older though. Mine are 11 and 9 now and would fight and squabble if left alone together IYSWIM.