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Original poster

CM Club: The impossibility of life as a parent & childminder

35 replies

Katymac · 12/05/2010 07:25

DD needs an emergency appointment today

I found out about midday yesterday

It's in Cambridge so 2hrs away, we have to prepare to be there for 3-4hrs the 2hrs back

Fortunately because of the way I work I have cover; but in 'normal' childminding circumstances we would be losing business hand over fist

It doesn't always work

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Original poster
Katymac · 17/05/2010 07:45

I heard about a potential new member of staff last night - obviously it will take months for her to be CRB checked & until then I can't use her in ratio. But another person to do 'stuff' will be great - we are looking at about 20 hrs a week; so 'fingers crossed' for me/her/us

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Al1son · 16/05/2010 14:28

Good point.

Would you like to tell us where you are so anyone close by could help you out?

Danthe4th · 16/05/2010 09:10

Any other childminders that could help out, I don't know where you are but I have thursdays off, there may be others close by that would help.

Original poster
Katymac · 15/05/2010 07:53

DH can cover for me sometimes - but he isn't very well himself

He will also take DD to basic appointments - but when they need input/info/participation he just doesn't know the answers & struggles to make decisions.

My mum has been taking her too or covering for me at work but she is 65 & wasn't too well herself last spring (bypass surgery) so I can't ask too much

My parents are wonderful & so far have not been asked to change much or lose any minding - but how long it's sustainable I don't know

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Millenium · 14/05/2010 23:15

Not knowing all the circumstances, this might be an insensitive question (if so, very sorry), but can someone else (partner??), help out with some of the appointments. It is tough in these situations and not only are you fearful for your business, but you feel that you are simply letting the mindees parents down. If any minder has got understanding and sympathetic parents, I am sure it is you - maybe now is the time to play your trump card and test the relationship with the parents.

Original poster
Katymac · 14/05/2010 22:34

It's just not only am I not working when I am out of the setting, but I have to pay someone as well

We will go bust

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lollipopmother · 14/05/2010 18:31

I'm really sorry to hear that Katy - in this situation though family must come first, as you know.

Is the business running at capacity for all of the days you're needing off then, you couldn't be covered by the assistants in some way?

Original poster
Katymac · 14/05/2010 15:18

I'm not sure how much longer I can do my job

The week after next I have 3 appointments & 3 the following week

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Original poster
Katymac · 13/05/2010 17:09

Thanks everyone - still no news

I am waiting to hear about the next stuff - I guess it will be weeks

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Kewcumber · 13/05/2010 12:43

It's tricky and I hope your DD is doing OK. There are the same pressures for any working parent (though mostly mothers!) although the details of the pressure do vary with your job and how understanding your boss is.

I don;t thin kanyone ever manages to feel that they are getting it quite right - in your case I think the set up YOU have chosen enables you to be as felxible as possible so I think you can take credit for that.

thebody · 13/05/2010 12:37

best of luck to you and your dd.. very stressful..hope all works out fine.. x

alibubbles · 13/05/2010 08:27

I meant to say, did my DCs think "mummy always had other kids here"

alibubbles · 13/05/2010 08:26

Katymac, we're all here for you

I had days sometimes when I used to think, mummy always had other kids here and I never got to do such and such, or came second to the mindies.

And battling with logistics of special appointments, right the way through to visiting Uni's - DH did that, and I felt as though I missed out then!

My DC's know that childminding helped pay their school fees and all the extras that weren't strictly necessary, but I could say yes to and not have to think about it. So, swings and roundabouts and what goes around comes around is our family motto!

Numberfour · 13/05/2010 08:12

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit stronger today. Hope your DD is, too.

Original poster
Katymac · 13/05/2010 07:25

Thanks guys - I am feeling a bit stronger today & ready to face it all

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MrsGokWan · 13/05/2010 07:10

(((hugs)) Katy

It will be fine. At least they are taking you seriously now and things are getting done, that is positive.

atworknotworking · 13/05/2010 00:31

Fingers Crossed for your DD

HSMM · 12/05/2010 22:26

Oh Katy!

We're here for you.

Original poster
Katymac · 12/05/2010 21:40

Thanks

It has been a bit of a day - between getting time off work, the drive, the happiness that everything would be OK, followed by the phone call

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lollipopmother · 12/05/2010 21:28

sorry to hear that Katy, I hope it all gets sorted soon so that you can reduce your stress/worry levels a little.

Original poster
Katymac · 12/05/2010 21:23

She's got to have an MRI & a CT & blood tests

The optometrist is ringing the GP & sorting it all out

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lollipopmother · 12/05/2010 21:08

Oh dear Katy, I hope it wasn't as disasterous as you thought, hope DD is ok.

kolacubes · 12/05/2010 20:37

Katymac - I hope your dd is ok.

But with regards to the comments about dc missing out on stuff, unfortunately I think any working mother would have the same problems, regardless of job.

Original poster
Katymac · 12/05/2010 20:03

No it didn't it was a disaster

Oh crap

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Original poster
Katymac · 12/05/2010 16:32

Minding for just over 7 yrs - but the whole DD thing is getting very stressful tbh

Thanks everyone - it went brilliantly

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