Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Childcare dilemma

131 replies

badreams · 27/12/2018 20:46

I'm hoping to return to work from mat leave in April. DS will be 9 months. I am hoping to do two days a week. DM would like to have DS one of those days and I'm looking into options for the second day.

Can't find any childminders who have availability and have been looking into nurseries too. My issues are that I don't drive and not sure how to get my DS to either child minder or nursery and then get myself to work and same for picking him up after. I've been looking at costs of taxis and searching bus routes but neither would work very well.

I wondered about a nanny but after looking into it I can't afford it.

I really want to be able to return to work but I'm not really sure what to do

OP posts:
Original poster
badreams · 28/12/2018 19:18

I'm not sure but I think employer was suggesting that they could arrange for someone to collect DS and me and take us to nursery/work. I need to contact a few nurseries beginning of next week and see if they will take DS

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 28/12/2018 19:21

I really don’t think your manager is suggesting that at all!

I don’t know what he meant but he wouldn’t have meant that!

5fivestar · 28/12/2018 19:25

I used to walk about 4 miles, actually was the healthiest I’ve ever been and the babies loved it

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families
Original poster
badreams · 28/12/2018 19:26

Well he did say something along the lines of 'don't worry about that, you live local enough, we have plenty of people here, lots of driver's, I'm sure we can sort something out to get DS to nursery and you here. Don't worry about it' Blush maybe I misheard or misinterpreted but that's what it sounded like to me but even if that is the case, I would rather not rely on this anyway

OP posts:
Nacreous · 28/12/2018 19:27

How far is your work in actual miles?

Could you get a bike seat, or one of those bikes with a child-box on the front? Will depend how old the little one is when you go back to work, but they're all over the place in the town I used to live in.

www.cyclinguk.org/article/cycling-guide/guide-bike-trailers

Not cheap, but cheaper than a car and cheaper to run! Good for you too.

Nicknacky · 28/12/2018 19:28

You can’t seriously think that is a viable option?

He might have good intentions but it’s not him that is offering to come pick you up and take your kid to nursery.

VioletCharlotte · 28/12/2018 19:31

I really think you need to bite the bullet and start driving again. Maybe have a few refresher lessons and speak to your GP about some help with managing your anxiety. Not driving is so limiting, especially when you have a child. A car gives you freedom to go where you want.

Original poster
badreams · 28/12/2018 19:32

No I don't think it's viable at all. I'm very grateful employer is offering lots of help and solutions to enable my return to work but also think it would be CF of me to accept this as it's not actually their problem how I get my DS to nursery or get myself to work. It's my problem

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 28/12/2018 19:34

This is the second thread I have read where employers are offering lifts to staff. I’m baffled by that!

Original poster
badreams · 28/12/2018 19:35

Google maps days the distance from home to work is 1.8 miles. My biggest issue is the numerous amounts of very steep hills to walk

OP posts:
Nacreous · 28/12/2018 19:36

Oh crikey, only 1.8miles? That will take 40mins max! Hills will seem bad to start with but if you get practising, then you'll be fine! Especially only doing it one day a week! Can you get a buggy with nice big wheels that rolls well? Probably easier than a bike and trailer if there's lots of hills.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 28/12/2018 19:36

I honestly don't think finding someone at work who can commit to picking you up and dropping your DC to nursery is suitable. If someone offers then that's great, but is you boss going to go around twisting arms?

I would see if you mum can have your DC one day and then overnight. Could she then drop your DC at nursery in the morning, leaving your DP to collect? Maybe short term while you address your driving anxiety? Being able to drive meant that it was easier for DH and I to cover different timings for before and after school care (compared to our CM) and then the hell that is school holiday clubs (different timings and locations again). Also, if you child is ill (or in our case some decent injuries - fell off a balance bike into a wall) and needs collecting, one of you will need to do it. DH and I found it helpful that either one of us could do it, especially if one of us had work meetings or was out of town. Of course lots of parents manage to do all this on public transport but your work isn't on a bus route.

Nicknacky · 28/12/2018 19:37

Oh that distance is manageable even with a buggy. You will soon get used to it and it will keep you fit!

PurpleCrazyHorse · 28/12/2018 19:38

Great idea to look at a bike and decent trailer or toddler seat. You would get used to it although it would be tough to start with, at least it would be starting in the better weather.

Topofthehills · 28/12/2018 19:41

1.8 miles is extremely doable, even up a hill! (Assuming no physical issues that would make it a bad idea.) Nice 30-40 mins exercise to start the day, perfect.

I do the same at my job - the first week or so it tired me out (because of the hill, not the distance), but by the second week it was easy. And a great way to get exercise into your routine!

Is there any reason why this isn't an option for you?

OrdinarySnowflake · 28/12/2018 19:41

Less than 2 miles?! Oh goodness, all this fuss about a walk!

So get a buggy with big wheels, perhaps a jogging type (they are often for sale second hand). Get trainers for the walk and put your work shoes under the buggy. Sorted! If your DP can pick you both up that might help, but it's not a long journey.

But definately worth thinking about driving again.

Original poster
badreams · 28/12/2018 19:41

Always feel such a burden not driving anymore especially as I have a licence. I used to drive ok when I lived with my DM then DP and I moved together to a new town. DM had a driveway so easy to park and roads locally were quiet and flat. New town is full of hills and everything is on street parking both of which give me terrible anxiety

OP posts:
Original poster
badreams · 28/12/2018 19:42

Am a bit over weight and very unfit Blush and also have a problem with the arches of my feet and knees and walking more than very short distances is quite hard for me

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 28/12/2018 19:43

Why are the hills and street parking making you anxious?

Kikipost · 28/12/2018 19:43

Forget the employer option. Don’t give another thought.

Taxi

Kikipost · 28/12/2018 19:43

Am a bit over weight and very unfit blush and also have a problem with the arches of my feet and knees and walking more than very short distances is quite hard for me

In view of this, now that you have a child, I really would urge you to learn to drive

Kikipost · 28/12/2018 19:44

Of course best solution is to lose me weight and get fit!

Nacreous · 28/12/2018 19:46

Can you get orthotic insoles? Cycling is good for knees (better than running anyway) but it is annoying with hills.

If you don't go back to work until April, could you build up to longer distances? How far can you walk currently? If it's (say) 1/2 a mile, if you walked 1/2 a mile every day for a week, and then did 3/4 of a mile one day and half a mile the next for a week and so on, you'd be up to 1.8 by April.

NerrSnerr · 28/12/2018 19:46

I'm rubbish at street parking, haven't parallel parked since learning to drive. I just find a space big enough to drive into, even if it means walking further. Many people are the same.

NerrSnerr · 28/12/2018 19:48

I also wouldn't rely on your employer finding someone to drive you. What happens on days they're poorly and needs picking up?

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread