Would this be crap parenting?

[IfIWasABirdIdFlyIn2ACeilingFan]

LP. Two DC, one with SEN, can’t go into childcare. no dad around to help. Work part time during school hours but I’m struggling moneywise. Possibility of a weekend job all day saturday and Sunday for above minimum wage. (As well as current job, not instead of) the money would make a big difference to us. My mum has offered free childcare. Dc loves her and she is familiar with his needs. Would it be really shitty to leave them on weekends? We don’t tend to do much on weekends but they can chill, or we can mosey about town, go for walks if we fancy it. If I took this job I would be gone every weekend. Anything they wanted to go to would be dependant on my mum taking them. I’d feel bad for my mum being tied every weekend but she says she is happy to. Also feel bad that I’d be leaving them on what should be family time after they’re in school all week.

I'd do it. Try it for a few months? Even if you can only face it for a few months the cash will come in handy.
What's the point of being off with your kids if you're skint?!
You may get people on here saying it's a bad idea but if you are having money problems difficult decisions have to be made.

You can't do it on permanent basis, but maybe til Christmas or something, but make sure that you save 75% of it so you can enjoy the extra even when not working.

Any chance you could just work 1 day each weekend?

I would do it. I work full time and I miss my son a lot, but if finances dictated it, I would work even longer hours.

It wouldn't be crap parenting at all, it would be a responsible thing to do, if it can help your family financially. I think it sounds very hard on you though - if you work PT during the week, and two full days at the weekend, then when do you ever get a break?

How old are your children?

One is 13, he wouldn’t even need minded but it would be quite lonely for him being on his own all day every weekend. He could meet friends in town to break up the time or He would be welcome to go to my mums too if he wanted. But he finds younger DC hard work and TBF- divide and conquer is the easiest way of dealing with them. Younger DC is 9.

The money would be so useful, especially in the run up to Christmas. I’m never managing to get out of my overdraft anymore.

I think it would be ok for me physically as I still have every afternoon with DCs after school. I don’t think it would be too much.

I would do it but l wouldn't leave ds 13 on his on at home. Its an extremely vunerable age for getting into trouble if he starts going into town and no supervision about when he gets back. Could he maybe stay home in the mornings as be sleeping on and go over to your dm for lunch.
If he gets bad habits now you will pay a high price later. I mean that in the kindest possible way.

I agree with that too actually june I think I will just tell him he has to go with my Mum.

Are you claiming DLA and carers allowance for your child with SEN? If not then do so as it'll bring in a bit of extra money each money & you might not need to take on the weekend job. Contact Mencap to help you complete the form as it needs to be done in a certain way.

www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/how-to-claim

Thank you tiffin I didn’t think DS would be entitled to DLA as we’re still awaiting diagnosis. Although there are certain physical issues I think he may be entitled to something for. I’ll look into it.

Yes do look into it as there are a few bands (high, medium and low needs) that he could fall into which determines how much he gets.