AIBU to wonder how all you single mums to toddlers (under 2s) do it without benefits??

[Giraffinalaugh]

Im trying, god im trying. I managed to get til he was 8 months on maternity pay but then I lost my job, I got another but I couldnt afford for it to pay for childcare and for bills and everything so had to leave the job which was gutting to go onto benefits and now im trapped in this circle where I cant find a job that pays enough for the childcare and the bills so I just feel stuck. Ive only been on them a few months but im just panicking. How does everybody else manage on their own? I dont have family to help out with childcare so I can work and because my lo isnt two yet they arent elligible for help with childcare but I really want to be earning again. AIBU to just feel so stuck? Hes not even one yet and I just feel helpless right now to provide for him.

Tax credits - they pay up to 70% of childcare costs for lone parents

Have you looked into tax credits can do a online calculation!

I'm a line parent dd's where 1,3 and 5 when I became single and had to go onto benefits (they are now nearly 7,9,11) I couldn't go back to work until my youngest started school full time at age 4!

But I fond unless you are able to get a very high paying job then it's really not worthwhile doing more than 16-20 hours a week otherwise all that happens is you get handed more in one hand (your wages) and then it's taken off you from the other (housing ben etc)

With 3 dd's at school with all the after school activities, homework etc etc I find it just to tough to work full time and give them enough time to so I currently work 20 hours a week (2 full days 9-6 and a half day 9-1)

Yip, tax credits, child benefit and housing benefit. and I've always been pretty much on minimum wage. For me it's always paid to be in work.