to think that there are very few jobs which fit in with young children in school?

[jamieoliverfan]

Especially considering how often they get ill (my dc started in September and has been off ill for 20 days with 2 tummy bugs, 3 double ear infections and now tonsillitis and ear infection) plus then there are all the school holidays.

Both dh and I don't want to leave our dc in before and after school childcare or childcare during the Holidays as we believe that we should look after our own child. So I would like to know what jobs could you do between 9.30 and 15.00 Monday to Friday except term time and during illness?

I have contacted supermarkets: they were not interested re how to deal with flexibility in case of illness (dh cannot take time off in these circumstances)(i.e.unpaid leave I suggested, but that was not possible). Also contacted local businesses but they thought the hours were too restricted and that school holidays would be a problem.

Is there anybody who has a job during term time with some flexibility in case of children being ill? What do you do and how did you get it?

Thanks a lot.

Contrary to popular belief teaching isnt that great in terms of what you have to do Mon-Fri.

I'm lucky that I'm part time (would be working for a deficit with child care full time but that's by the by)but my dd is often first in and last out at nursery. I still take a lot of work home and still dont feel like I'm contributing as much to after school activities/nativities/parental support groups as I did before having her.

However, this is how it is so I do the best I can. You sound like you dont want to work so impose so many restrictions upon your availability that no-one will employ you.

With so many people looking for jobs now you must know that you'll get nowhere with that attitude. You sound like a sanctimonious trout

Would be interested to know if the OP has formed any new conclusions as a result of reading replies here, or whether her conclusions remain pre-formed...

Here we go again with the unpleasantness ("sanctimonious trout"). Oh joy.

"Both dh and I don't want to leave our dc in before and after school childcare or childcare during the Holidays as we believe that we should look after our own child."

Sorry if it's already been mentioned (just skimmed the thread as it's very long!) but this: when you say 'we' it seems you mean 'you. If your DH so strongly believes that 'we' should look after 'our child', what about him looking for a flexible, child-friendly job? Why should it be all down to you? Seems like it's easy for him to make grand pronouncments and feel morally superior, while not actually having to make any changes to his own lifestyle or compromise his own career development?

It might make things easier if you're both prepared to take some responsibility for looking after sick children, after school care etc. Otherwise as you say it's going to be quite difficult for you to find a job that gives you the flexibility to do all that stuff on your own.

OP, YABU-I can sympathise to an extent. The price of childcare would not be worth my part timing, or even full timing after child care costs for two kids.

Anyway, the solution I found is to work from home once my 1yr has his long nap (DS1 is in school). This can involve ebay, writing articles, mystery shopping, certain survey sites, party planning, an Avon round, part time census jobs, even a paper round!

Everything I make goes in the pot and if one project is lean one month, another one will pay up. I feel great for being able to put something in the pot (DH works full time, and I can still do summer hols and the school walk.

There's a good website called workingmums.co.uk or something like that. It caters for the child care/ young children/want to work/need the money brigade.

Work doesn't have to mean being out of the house all day and never seeing your kids.

I teach. But until 4 each day. My kids finish at 3 so I dump them in club for an hour or so a day. They seem fine. 20 days off seems an awful lot, think you've been unlucky there, I'm sure that will not be the norm. Obviously I don't have holiday care problems, but they still go to sports club for a week each august. They like it -it's fun and sociable. What child wants to be stuck with his/her mum all summer? Not sure what else you could do. Mind my asking what qualifications you have?

It makes a difference how far away you work too. takes me an hour to get home from work, so there is another hour childcare needed.

I don't think the OP has any intention of coming back to the thread - she clearly doesn't actually want a job as much as she wants to have a go at those of us who have had to use child care, so please, those of you who are offering sincere, well-meant advice - don't waste your time because it was never what she was looking for!

God, that is so cynical.

Even if the OP doesn't come back, don't forget there are others reading this thread who might find the advice very useful.

(FWIW, Lizzy, some children do prefer to be at home. One of mine would kill to go to a holiday club - they can't, as I don't have a job to pay for it; my Y4 one would sooner die than go anywhere like that.)

20 days off in one term?! That's certainly a lot. Dd hasn't had any absence so far. But then she has a robust immune system from being at nursery from 7 months . She did two afternoons a week. Maybe you should have done the same op, then your kid would be less ill now so you could work

My DD hasnt had a single day off ill either, and was 'dumped' from 16 weeks
My DSD however who was in mummy's arms until the day she started school, and every day from 3pm there after had about 15 days off last year... Only one point of reference but maybe youre on to something ruddy

prettyfly1 Sorry, I have only just come back to this thread. I think the only thing that can be done is to persuade a friend with their own business to say that you've been doing their admin for the past however many years or something like that. House renovation maybe? The other option is to take a very low level role.. shelf stacking for example, and be the best damn shelf stacker ever and get yourself friendly with the back office manager to get yourself in there...

Haven't Oblomov and I had that 'discussion' about the illnesses of children in nursery and those at home?

I suggest you read Oblomov's post of 6th Jan at 19.45 before pursuing that ridiculous line.

(Sorry, blind, for misunderstanding your that the OP use a CM. Should read more carefully.)

your advice

blindassasin, you sound very bitter there "who was in mummy's arms until the day she started school"

bet you're a great step mum

Yes, I thought that was very bitter-sounding too.

Lolasummers - I am interested in how you would deal with a potential employee who has a disabled child - my dd has severe SN and has lots of medical appointments and illnesses - would someone like me (even though I have 20 yrs experience in my field/post-grad qualifications) be an impossibility?

I'm asking because I'm finding it increasingly difficult to work as employers baulk at the flexibility I need to fit round dd - I will put in the extra hours for the employer when I can. Do you think people like me should work in the evenings only?

Not being arsy, just interested in your view as an employer.

Mole1
Difficult one really and I sympathise with you, appreciate that it might put employers off, (not saying that's right BTW). All working mums have right to ask for flexible working hours but if employer thinks it will be detrimental to business then they have right to refuse.

Not really sure what the answer is for you, but I
have friends who work in civil service and for big co's that offer flexitime and it seems to be very beneficial for them, they can almost tailor their working hours to suit family needs.

Hope you find something suitable soon