Given the choice i would like to be a sahm until dd (4 months) starts school, however, money is more than tight at the minute. After paying rent, council tax, bills etc we just about break even, but every month we have to borrow money so the next we have all the normal bills to pay plus repaying what we borrowed the previous month iyswim! I am sick of always worrying about money, not having any holidays, feeling panic and guilt every time i spend money on something that is not essential. it seems the obvious solution is for me to find work.
The problem is though that
a) we have no family/friends around to help with child care (i would find it ridiculously hard to leave dd anyway, but needs must!)
b) we cannot afford professional child care
c) i am still exclusively breast feeding
d) i live in one of the most depived areas for employment (there are just very few jobs available here. very high numbers for people on jsa)
e)dh works very different shifts that change every few days so would be difficult to work around his schedule.
The more i think about our situation though, the more i think there must be something i could do! what have you done in these circumstances? how have you worked around it?? would you employ someone like me with these limitations over a sing person with no children and less hassle working different rotas each week? help and advice greatly appreciated!