Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

To think is it practical to go back to work when kids are in primary school- are you a dinner lady ?

57 replies

Douse · 14/03/2023 11:52

Lets explain my life 1st- married my husband works full time 10 hrs a day and weekends and we have 2 children in primary school(6+9) .
I havnt worked for 6 years now as the company went under whilst on maternity leave. We live happily on husband wage and uc/child benefits topping it up with savings also and don't have money concerns.
Ive seen there's a dinner lady job at a local school 20 mins walk from where I live -i don't drive. (Not the school my kids attend)
It sounds ideal as something with only 8 hours monday-friday suits me so that i can still focus on being with the kids at holidays and weekends (no family around and we refuse to pay out the costs of childcare/nursery) its term time- however is it practical with having kids my self ? If one is sick for example or there's an appointment.

Knowing ive got a purpose again bringing in my own money to the house would be nice but not needed
Socialising again with people also would be a benefit
Are you a dinner lady with your own kids at a different school?

OP posts:
TheHouseNextDoor · 14/03/2023 12:08

I'm not but a friend is. Fits in perfectly with young children. She loves it.

America12 · 14/03/2023 12:30

I should think it would be ideal.

Natsku · 14/03/2023 12:33

My friend is, she says it works really well for her as she's off when the children are off.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1st trimester Families General education General pregnancy
mindutopia · 14/03/2023 13:10

I guess the question is more, would you enjoy it? And on a practical level, what does actually happen when kids are off sick or there's an inset day or a strike or one of the million other reasons lately that kids have been home?

I have a (non-TTO) job, which I enjoy very much. I work 4 days spread over 5, so it's roughly 9-3 every day, give or take, sometimes later start and later finish, etc. But by and large, my work while skilled and important, is not time sensitive enough that it matters at all if I need to take an emergency day off. If I need to be off, I take off and no one really cares and I pick back up the next day. Will you/your dh be able to do this? Or will you be able to source childcare as and when you need it?

Also keeping mind that even people with 'big jobs' can still take off time with the kids as needed. Dh and I both technically have 'big jobs' (though dh earns more than me) and we still share the emergency days off because, well, they're both our children, so worth having that conversation now as your dh will have more leave and likely more robust parental leave policies than you would in a very PT role.

Tacocatgoatcheesepizza · 14/03/2023 13:15

I think to be honest if you’re only living happily because you’re claiming universal credit and you have 2 children at school then it is definitely time to get back to work.

I worked as a dinner lady and am now a TA, I have generally found the school to be quite reasonable over needing time off, but a job is a job and even though dh is the significantly higher earner he still takes his turn staying at home if it’s needed.

Lovinmyblanket · 14/03/2023 13:17

I'm really surprised that you think a job that is for a few hours at lunchtime is not going to possible with dc at primary. How do you think other parents do it? You don't even need childcare. Just go for it!

Ricco12 · 14/03/2023 13:22

I left my job in oil industry as a engineer to be a dinner lady. It's fits perfectly around my kids.

Money is very low but it's a job and I enjoy it.

Botw1 · 14/03/2023 13:31

Except if you're claiming UC then the money is needed?

How do you think families that have both parents working full time, not just term time cope?

Milkand2sugarsplease · 14/03/2023 14:02

You have the problem every other family in the country has, while juggling jobs.

We have one in school and one in nursery. Nursery costa an arm and a leg but it's not forever.
I working in a school so I'm lucky I don't need holiday cover.

DS has just been off with chicken pox and DH and I just had to juggle for the week. We both got our work done and made sure DS was covered. We're fortunate that our employers are flexible with us and grateful for that but ultimately you both have children, it's both of your job to take care of them when they can't attend school. Currently, your DH gets a free pass to work while the tax payer sorts your finances to allow you to stay home.

Ames85 · 14/03/2023 14:09

It’s a nice start back into work. I’ve done it for about 4 years at what was my children’s primary school. Bear in mind that you can’t book any days off as it’s a term time only job. If you or your children are often unwell or needing to attend appointments you would need to consider that. Appointments must be made around your working hours where possible. Work have been accommodating when my son was being assessed for asd and odd other bits (approved without pay) but I am rarely off work. It’s a busy job in that small space of time, but a lovely one

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/03/2023 14:11

I'm surprised you are able to claim UC - why is UC given to families in order for one parent to stay at home while the kids are at school?

loudbatperson · 14/03/2023 14:15

If you are having to claim UC I would say you do need to get a job to bring in income, as the household isn't earning enough.

A dinner assistant would be easy and without any childcare needed, although will bring in very little money.

I can't see any reason anyone with school age children would struggle to fit in that sort of job.

Don't forget that you claim a lot of childcare costs back, so there is no need to stick to school hours only.

clopper · 14/03/2023 14:22

It’s a good way back into work I think which will fit in with your children.

Onnabugeisha · 14/03/2023 14:30

Of course it’s practical to work while your children are primary school age.
I worked from when they were under 3 months old. How is it not practical to work? You have much more of an advantage and support to work now. Higher paid, long maternity leave that can be taken as shared parental leave. Tax free or 100% free child care from age 3 onwards. All things that did not exist when I was juggling family and work. I’m not jealous, I’m just baffled why you think it’s not practical- so many barriers to work have been knocked over for you by my generation.

Original poster
Douse · 14/03/2023 15:42

To clarify though we get uc its very little because husband earns high wage also we was told when we had our 1st meeting to apply for uc 5 years ago when our circumstances were different that only one parent had to do so many hours a week i think it's 50(which is what my husband was already doing), that they then don't chase the other parent back into work.
Hence ive never been told I needed to find work by the uc people. And what with the lockdowns of school and home learning only a few years back I was more needed at home than working.

OP posts:
Lovinmyblanket · 14/03/2023 16:45

You're not doing ok financially if you need to top up using savings though

captncrunch · 14/03/2023 16:55

How can you be eligible for UC if your husband is on a high wage? That doesn't make sense.

Anyway to answer your question I should think the job would suit you well. Plenty of people with children in primary school work, we have to in order to pay the bills! I work in a school and find it fits in well with my own primary age children. Different school so there are occasional insets etc that can cause issues but you know in advance when they're coming and can organise alternative care. I trade favours with friends! I've never had an issue calling in when my kids are sick, head has always been very understanding. But my kids are rarely off, think I've done it twice in the last year.

WestOfWestminster · 14/03/2023 17:04

I'm confused as to how you don't have any money worries if you are dipping into your savings to pay basic household costs? How much in savings do you have?

WhatNoRaisins · 14/03/2023 17:08

I'd go for it. If you have to take time off for child sickness it's not like you'd be the first person they've employed to do so. It's pretty much expected.

Original poster
Douse · 14/03/2023 19:37

We don't use savings hence there savings! Im really not going to announce what there is either, The uc is very low but were still entitled to it. I don't know how I don't set the amount

Anyway thank you for the helpful awnsers its certainly given me a push to apply

OP posts:
CheeseMcKnees · 14/03/2023 19:41

I would double check you are still entitled to UC, it doesn’t sound like you are the typical candidates if you have high earnings and savings.

PaniniHead · 16/03/2023 10:12

That’ll soon change with the new Budget OP. Soon you’ll be expected to look for work and engage in Jobcentres appointments, regardless of what your partner earns.

ArrrMeHearties · 16/03/2023 10:18

Yes I am and I love it. Different school to ds but have worked in his for a bit and works perfectly with school timings

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 16/03/2023 10:40

Douse · 14/03/2023 19:37

We don't use savings hence there savings! Im really not going to announce what there is either, The uc is very low but were still entitled to it. I don't know how I don't set the amount

Anyway thank you for the helpful awnsers its certainly given me a push to apply

Hope it's not above the benefits cap and you've declared it.

Meandfour · 16/03/2023 10:43

Douse · 14/03/2023 15:42

To clarify though we get uc its very little because husband earns high wage also we was told when we had our 1st meeting to apply for uc 5 years ago when our circumstances were different that only one parent had to do so many hours a week i think it's 50(which is what my husband was already doing), that they then don't chase the other parent back into work.
Hence ive never been told I needed to find work by the uc people. And what with the lockdowns of school and home learning only a few years back I was more needed at home than working.

Sorry but your husband definitely doesn’t have a high wage if you’re entitled to UC, no matter how small it may be.

Yes, you need to work if you’re reliant on benefits to be comfortable. I would take the job, there’s surely no consideration if your children at both at school ?

Swipe left for the next trending thread