to seriously consider applying to join the police in my early 40's

[spiritedaway]

Have wound up single with your4 children and am considering the police as a career. Assuming i could cope with the job itself- is it feasible for a single mum? I know it is shift work and i have no family support. I will have to sort childcare but my question is how compatible is this with family life. .

Suss out recruitment first - check out the website of your local force. I live in Manchester and GMP aren't recruiting at the moment.

Not your4 children. . Alhough. . if the lovely Mumsnet community would like to take some responsibility for 'em

Childcare would be extremely difficult I think.

I have 2 friends who both work as police officers and their shifts are very awkward. They could not work without relying heavily on family to help with childcare.

Thanks. . will keep an eye out. I initially thought i would wait 2 years but maybe i should start applying if any vacancies arise. Guess a community officer is the first step. See if i cut the mustard

Personally I would say it is not feasible. Starting salary is low. And with no family support, how would you genuinely manage as well as be able to give reasonable time to 4 children who need you?

Thanks Iwish. . i wasn't sure if all jobs are shift work but i presume they are

I want to give them a decent home and education too and right now it's benefits with no maintenance. I suppose i am looking at is 20 years in a career. I suppose i should look more into teaching.

Excuse my typing. . Phone playing up

I think you'd struggle unless you have a good support network who can help with overnights. I always wanted to be a paramedic, but the shift work would be hard. Have you considered something like social work instead?

In my experience police shift patterns destroy family life. If you are working a night for example, a shift that is 2200- 0700 - you can't just finish work at 0700. You can only leave when all the paperwork, debrief and custody issues are sorted. If something kicks off, you have no idea what time you can go home. This job probably wouldn't work for you without a robust network of childcare.

Live in nanny on work days?

You would have to be away during the week for approx three months. What would you do about the kids?

Sorry - my previous thread should have read 'whilst training'.

Aargh. my previous post. Sorry again - it's been a long day.

Thanks for your replies. .not knowing when a shift actually ends didn't occur to me but of course i see that's the case

I have virtually no memories of my father growing up.

'I suppose i should look more into teaching.'

Its a bit of a career leap between Police Officer and Teacher.

Do you want a career, or a profession and a salary?

Yes teaching will suit you far better .

((wonders where the op will magically find a vacancy at a teacher training course and then a vacancy in a school thats local and of course works only 9-3.30))

Seems you are just casting around for something that feels like a secure income, perhaps public sector.

Teachers get holidays but don't be fooled into thinking we spend that time with our own kids. My 2 spend lots of time amusing themselves while I work - hols and weekends. During the week I put them to bed and then work again 8-10.30 at least 3 nights in the week. I get Fridays off as well which helps. I love teaching despite the problems Gove etc have brought - but wouldn't advise anyone to join the profession unless they had a real vocation these days - it is soul destroying if your head isn't in the right place. And jobs are increasingly hard to come by unless you are male (primary sector) or shortage subject (physics etc) in secondary.

As a single mum with 4 kids and no support I think you need a job with regular hours and one you can leave on time with no stress.

Police and teaching are not those jobs.

My DH joined about 5 years ago (along with a fair few people in their 40's!)

He had to go away for training for about 6 months I think (you certainly wouldn't be able to do this part time)

We are about to have out 1st DC and I know that I can not rely on him AT ALL for child care etc. he never finishes on time (sometimes 6 hours late!) and his days are all over the place and not regular (how easy would the be to organise childcare?)

Also..... I don't know anyone that has gone into the job on a part time basis, however I know of a few that now work part time since joining which leave at certain times etc. because of this other officers have to take the strain I.e if a job comes in late, the part timer never takes it so the others have to knowing that they will be late home to their own families. (Slight resentment to these people)

I think its the kind of job where realistically they may not take you on as part time as it doesn't work at all with the job but once in you can change the job to suit your family.

Another thing to consider is the emotional effects. My DH has been though some harrowing times, and other we know have been through much worse on the job. It's really not easy and it can be more emotionally full on than most think. Over the years my DH has had to go to the gym to release anger (he's not normally an angry person), take the dogs for long walks to clear his head, been hospitalised etc etc

On the other side of it, my DH mostly loves his job any wouldnt change it or the world. If you feel you can take on the not so glam side of it, and cope well then go for it.

Sorry to be so negative but I feel its fairer to be honest. Maybe a PCSO role would be more suited as I believe the hours can be more flexible.