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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

517 replies

jamieoliverfan · 04/01/2011 20:08

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.

OP posts:
Violethill · 04/01/2011 21:34

OO7alert you're my hero!

TandB · 04/01/2011 21:34

Pink4ever - have you considered popping over to BabyandBump. I think you would fit right in there. It's very you.

Now about this coven. [picks it up and shakes it like shiny new toy]

pink4ever · 04/01/2011 21:35

loflo- I beg your fucking pardon?. Surely I have misunderstood your last post? You are suggesting that only people who work are entitled to an opinion?.You clearly have mental health issues if you seriously believe this. I suggest you seek treatment asap.All the best.

OracleOfDelphinium · 04/01/2011 21:37

Blimey, there are some truly nasty comments on this thread. Why exactly do people feel the need to be so very horrible? Is it just because it's anonymous? Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves.

TandB · 04/01/2011 21:37

Loving the bold type. It gets the tone across so well. I can just see the indignant bristling. How very dare you!

[cranes over Violethill's shoulder to decide whether it is worth switching allegiance to 007]

thisismyboomstick · 04/01/2011 21:38

I work for a large engineering consultancy and they are very accomodating wrt flexible working. I know several collegues who don't work school holidays and take unpaid leave when child is sick. Not sure about before and after school, but I'm sure they would enable it if a staff member was highly valued.

pink4ever · 04/01/2011 21:38

kungfucanufuckthefuckoffnowpannda-dont presume to tell me which sites I would be suited to.But thank you for your concern. I think I will stay on here as I was always taught to confront bulliesSmile.

Violethill · 04/01/2011 21:38

How very dare you if you don't mind kungfu!

CommanderDrool · 04/01/2011 21:39

007 - you are exactly where I want to be in a year or so - working full time. As a SAHM, I am experiencing exactly the same as you did and I feel it would be good for my daughters to see that they have to be responsible for themselves sometimes and that they are not always the centre of my universe. I also know it's going to be tough.

loflo · 04/01/2011 21:39

Oh now swearing is very naughty pink. Away and play with a three pack while I go and stir my cauldron with kungfu......

FattyArbuckel · 04/01/2011 21:39

Self employment is the answer... Ironing/ cleaning/ looking after an older person who needs a few hours of help or care/ dinner lady / teach something

TandB · 04/01/2011 21:41

I reckon you can fit a few more "funny" syllables into the middle of my MN name if you really try.

I think perhaps you might want to calm down a bit and look back through the thread. You came on shouting the odds and have practically combusted with rage. It's a little silly.

workhardplayhard · 04/01/2011 21:41

lol @ loflo. You've certainly put the cat amongst the (non -working) pigeons :)

blindassasin · 04/01/2011 21:41

I'm sure someone has already done this but can I state the bloomin obvious... most companies have a head count allowance. And often a part timer takes up a head so most of them will prefer to take a full timer as - don't be shocked - they want to put their business ahead of some mum's misguided idea that their child will burst in to flames should it spend 3 hours a day in whisper it childcare....

JarethTheGoblinKing · 04/01/2011 21:41

tears pink4ever and loflo apart

Grin
Hassled · 04/01/2011 21:42

Exam invigilation. It's restricted to January and the summer (mostly), and it turns out GCSEs start annoyingly early (we have to be there an hour before), but it's reasonably good money for a lot of watching people don't cheat, talking soothingly to hysterical teenagers and escorting them to the loo.

And I do some freelance book-keeping from home. But you have to know how to book-keep. You also have to know whether there is actually a hyphen in the word.

TandB · 04/01/2011 21:42

[sits down next to loflo and chants mysteriously while watching the cauldron bubble]

Original poster
jamieoliverfan · 04/01/2011 21:42

Firstly, a big thank you to all the posters who came with real suggestions (I obviously don't refer to expatinscotland here). Yes, I knew that many posters would take offence to my phrasing but given how many of you responded to Kanchan I think this would be a relevant question. I think this dialogue shows the sad state of our society ...

OP posts:
007alert · 04/01/2011 21:43

violethill nobody's ever said that, or anything close to it before (on mn or real life!) so I shall swoon...

... and recover. I meant every word.

Another anecdote - one day when dh was out, prior to my returning to work, I sat on his chair at the kitchen table. One dc said to me "why are you sitting in daddy's chair?". I said, "because my chair is in the hall" (had been replacing light bulbs). dc said "but you don't need a chair, you just do the cooking" What responsible parent would allow their child to grow up with such an attitude? Any sensible parent would be down the job centre that afternoon.

loflo · 04/01/2011 21:43

Aw its only to offend pink4ever workhardplayhard. I have been a SAHM too and think its each to their own. But if the OP does as Kungfu suggests and reads my initial thread I have never said a bad word about anyone (except her and if you play with fire......)

pink4ever · 04/01/2011 21:44

I am perfectly calm thank you.This is not RL you knowHmm. Have a nice evening ladies.

loflo · 04/01/2011 21:44

Hubble bubble Kungfu Grin

Fernie3 · 04/01/2011 21:44

OP. I have been a sahm for 6 years and plan on being at home when the children are all in school. However, my husband and i set up a business together which he does the worky bits and i do a lot of planning with him so i work part time really ( although we are bpth directors of the company). So i am at home but do i still qualify as a sahm? Who knows.

Having said that i used nursery care even before that all of my children have ( and will) start nursery part time at 2. They dont have to but i admit i find the ages 2 and 3 hard so they go to nursery 2 mornings a week so that i can go to town or whatever without major hassle.

I have to say these threads make me sad at the moment because i am firstly questioning my choice of being a sahm and secondly questioning my choice of now sitting at the computer a couple of hours a day with my husband.

Violethill · 04/01/2011 21:45

kungfuyouresocoolIvegotmytongueupyourbumpanda

Look, I can play that game too!

OracleOfDelphinium · 04/01/2011 21:45

Never mind the job centre: I think any sensible parent would get a sense of humour in that situation.

Are those of you who are being so horrid on here that horrid in real life?