Chicken or egg? Childcare and wotk

[Tobebythesea]

I was made redundant towards the end of my pregnancy a few months ago. Rubbish The bump was very obvious and I decided not to look for work as the bump would probably put employers off (let’s be honest) and I did not need the stress.

This is my second mat leave. We have a DC who is due to start school next September. She’s in nursery 3 days a week and we’ve kept her in for normality.

I really want to work. For me, for my sanity. This could preferably be part time or full time. There are slim pickings pt hours and usually the pay is very low. Ft work more likely.

Here is the dilemma. My second child is booked into nursery 3-4 days from March in the hope that I find work. Full time nursery for second child is only available from next September. Full time nursery would be available from now for our older child. I have to find a job by 1st Feb in order to give a months notice of any changes. What if I haven’t been successful in getting anything? I pay hundreds for at least 2 months with no money coming in? What if I get something mis Feb and I’ve had to cancel childcare? Would you wait until September? I see great jobs but I cannot apply now as I have no childcare. It gets me so down. My DH obviously doesn’t have this problem. I hate feeling trapped.

What comes first? Childcare or a job? So stressful.

[mindutopia]

I would plan the childcare and see what happens. At least you have all your bases covered. You never know if a family will move unexpectedly and a place will open sooner or there will be new staff, etc.

I put my 2nd into nursery 2 days a week from 11 months so I could apply for jobs (old contract ended just before mat leave). I then very unexpectedly got offered a position I didn’t expect and they wanted me to start with a month’s notice. Nursery didn’t have a 3rd day available for 3 more months. My dh and I just balanced it between us. He worked longer days 4 days a week and stayed home the 5th to cover the day we needed. Where nursery had an extra space (school holidays or someone away on holiday), we stuck him in that day. A childminder who has a day or two free or family could work as well (but we preferred to manage on our own).

[Quartz2208]

Of course this is part of your DH issue as well you are a partnership and a team
WHo pays at the moment because it sounds like you do?

Talk to your DH and see what h thinks to come up with a workable solution for you to wotrk

[Tobebythesea]

Thank you for your responses. Technically we both pay for childcare at the minute.