Better off working?

[Mamana127]

Hi mums I could do with a little advice please as I cannot make my mind up.
I’m a mum of 4. 10,8,6,&3. I’ve just turned 40. I became single 3 years ago when my youngest was born. I have been working since I was 18, I love my job and I’m very ambitious, I have climbed up the ladder quite abit and bring home after tax £2037 per month.
I’ve had to use nannies and child minders as I usually go back to work after 6-8 months after maternity.
My ex has refused to pay CM 🙄 story for another day!
Currently I have been working from home since the first lockdown which was a blessing in disguise as it meant that I could juggle school pick up and meetings perfectly. The offices are opening now from the 19th ☹️
My dilemma is My nanny just quit on me without notice and said she wasn’t coming back as she is looking after her grandma. Bless her. she was Italian and so lovely we have worked so well for 4 years. Before the pandemic she went home to be with her family.
Now I’m really stuck as I’ve tried so hard to find another nanny to no success. No child minders locally have spaces. The school breakfast club is full no spaces. My youngest 3year old usually finishes at 1pm so needs picking up and someone to look after her, then pick the others by 3:30 I’m panicking about Monday the 19th as I will be once again back to work and need to start by 9am and finish at 5pm.
I have never claimed benefits in my life apart from working tax credits, and childcare costs. I live in council house property and pay full rent. My question is would I be better off on benefits for a year until my little one starts reception in 2022? If so what benefits would I get. I live a very basic life and still manage to save each of my kids £50 in their accounts each month. I know this will have to stop with me on benefits and I’m ok with that. But would I be worse off on benefits financially?

Thank you for your opinions

[Snorkello]

Not sure if benefits would be the best way, but definitely look into it. They are there for a reason.

Can you ask your employer if you can wfh for longer? Be furloughed until June?

Other option could be to work pt for now.

I’d hope your employer would be understanding, but sort the childcare first so you have an end date set up to reassure them.

Sorry to hear you’re stressed out by all this.

My only other thought re leaving your job is finding a new one for September. Would you be able to get one quickly?

[itwa]

You have a good job, which you've worked hard for and pays well. Don't give it up. Ask your employer to continue wfh and search for a new nanny ASAP.

[Mamana127]

Working from home is really not possible, I've been working from home due to shielding, I've now had my two vaccines and we are all going back in. Im very hands on and want to be there to help and support my young people. I work in a care setting managing 6 care homes young people giving them a purpose. I'm required to be there daily to maintain compliance. I had a deputy who was managing while I was shielding but she has now left and I'm

[Mamana127]

I suppose In healthcare there is always a job going but you never know. I have worked so hard to be where I am and I just feel like if I give it up now I won't be able to get back on the same level. I also love the company I work for. Such a dilemma. But childcare and knowing my kids are safe is causing me sleepless nights look at the time I posted this 😆.

[RosieOJK]

I wouldn’t give up your job. I gave up my job because of childcare and to be honest I’m really regretting it. It feels really full on with no respite and I know that if I tried to go back, I would have to start at the bottom which feels a complete waste of all the time I spent working my way up. Are you able to add their names to a waiting list and get short term help, perhaps from family. Or even if you can’t get help, if their names are on a waiting list hopefully your employer will be understanding until your able to get sorted.

[PuggyMum]

Do you have room for an au pair? Even if you have to shuffle bedrooms (they need their own room).

Sorry you're anxious. The time really will fly so if you can keep your job and juggle everything..... maybe a local mum could help you out? Or a teen who's perhaps doing childcare?

[LionLily]

I think you have to keep your hand in if you ever want to return to that line of work, at that kind of level.
Is there not an up and coming deputy or senior in one of the six homes that could sub for you temporarily. Will management not consider you wfh for some tasks whilst doing reduced office hours. Not sure how you would stand benefits-wise if you voluntarily reduced your hours, but I'm sure someone could advise.
I work in the same field for a large organisation and we are bending over backwards to keep our experienced staff on the books, in the hope that one day soon they'll be in a position to return to their pre-covid hours.

[lexi873]

If you go on to full benefits I think the benefit cap would apply to you unless one of your children is disabled, so you’d be entitled to the equivalent of £384 pw which includes housing costs, slightly more if you live in London. I think this is correct information.

[Rooroobear]

There is a benefit cap of £1600 I believe. I think you may also only be able to claim for 2 children as there is a limit. If you rent you may also get help towards your rent. As far as I’m aware you don’t get any help towards your mortgage. Look into it and see x

[Babyroobs]

Even if you went onto Universal credit you would be expected to look for some work now as your youngest is 3. Definitely try to keep your job, there is no way you will be better off on benefits. If your youngest child was born after April 2017 then you would only receive Uc for3 children rather than all four. You should have a grace period from the benefit cap due to having worked and earned enough in the past nine months.