what would you do?

[hollyatchristmas]

Hi

Here is my situation.

I have a DD who is 8 months. Before I had her, I was working (full time) in a zero hours role, although you never actually got zero hours, it was in home community care.

I split up with her dad when she was 2 months, I've had maternity pay just the basic from the government.

Now here's the problem, I need to go back to work. My mum died when I was 13, she left me her house. I don't live in it as I met my boyfriend when I was 17, but I had some money left from what my mum left me, I bought a flat. Me and DD live in the flat now, obviously will prob need somewhere bigger when she's older but luckily she's a quite good baby.

Anyway because I have this house that is rented out to people I am not entitled to any benefits apart from child benefit.

But going back to work is difficult. I have to do anti social hours. I just can't as even if my baby is in nursery they aren't open nights and weekends.

So I need to think of another job, but don't know what. And I'm really starting to panic. I'm just looking for advice on what I can do, to support me and my baby.

Thank you, that's a good idea but I do really need something that I know I'm going to get. As I'll be putting DD in nursery, I won't be able to pay for her childcare if I've not got work, so I need something I can rely on even if part time

Like others said

A) how much do you need a month?
B) how much rent do you get from house?
C) can you just work part time for that difference?

Personally I would sell 1 bed flat, sell the house, and buy a single 2- 3 bed flat or house. Then you have space for live in childcare which is cheaper and easier for night shifts.

In that case, I think you need to sell one of your properties and live off that money while you retrain in something that has more typical hours.

ALSo if you sell both properties and buy one small home but that big enough for you both, you could look at becoming a childminder?

Thank you but it's employment advice I need. Selling both is an interesting idea but ultimately for the future I think as I really need something in the next two months lol. I am not trained for anything so won't be 're' training.

Earning enough to live on depends on who you are and where you live.

You don't have rent/mortgage.
Jobs that jump out at me (assuming you don't mind what it is) would be

Call centre
Schools
Any kind of office work/admin
Cleaning

No I realise I don't Scooby but at the same time if I still had my mum id still be able to do my old job as she might be able to help with childcare so it's not as great as it might seem. I just wanted to explain all my situation as otherwise people would say id get tax credits which I don't (which is right) just wondering what would be best for a job I can hopefully get and won't involve hours nursery isn't open.

hollyatchristmas What do you actually want to do? What are your interests/ passions?

You sound as though you are fairly young. Now might be a brilliant opportunity to set yourself up for a future career that is meaningful and satisfying by retraining.

I've retrainined twice. At the start of each period, the years seemed to have stretched ahead of me and it has felt like a massive undertaking. In reality, the time passes quickly and it's been very well worth it.

hi, I used to think I might want to be a nurse and maybe I could think again about it when DD is older. But for now it's not doable.

Not sure what you are getting at.

What I was getting at that 'enough' to live on for me would be different for you.

The part about not having a mortgage or rent is that yiu can earn lower than I could when I was a single parent. I had a mortgage and childcare to pay. It wasn't a dig. Just a fact about your outgoings.

It's hard to recommend anything when you won't give an idea of what you want to earn.

Thank you but it's employment advice I need. Selling both is an interesting idea but ultimately for the future I think as I really need something in the next two months lol. I am not trained for anything so won't be 're' training.

OK, then sell one property, live off that money and train in something then.

What would you like to be or do?

What level of qualifications did you get, school, college?

even if your mums home is worth £100k thats plenty to cover for 4/5 years with maybe a bit left over to do a distance learning course in nursery care or similar.

youre actually in a pretty good position, no mortgage etc, is the ex paying maintenance?

Could you find work in a school or day centre with your qualifications?

Well I was on minimum wage before, so I'd probably look at minimum wage again.

Hi Aye I don't have any qualifications at all. I doubt I could get any tbh. It isn't really that great a position it would be if I had someone to have DD weekends but I don't.

What about hospital HCA roles? There seem to be daytime jobs.

I can have a look into that. Thank you.

I just wanted to explain all my situation as otherwise people would say id get tax credits which I don't

I'm not 100% sure but I thought tax credits only took into account your income not assets... therefore your rental income on your second property would be taken into account but the actual owning of two properties might be irrelevant? I'm honestly not sure but it's worth checking out.

Your requirements are day time hours. That's it's really. Hit the job sites and see what takes your fancy.

well you have a house that you can sell for a lump sum, with some left to retrain, and no mortgage. honestly thats a pretty good position to be in.

do you get the maintenance youre entitled to?

Yes, I have but I'm not having much luck so I asked on here, I'm not trying to be difficult, just asking.

Does your ex have your dd for any set time?

If he does could you agree to do one antisocial hours shift when he has her overnight, say a 12 hr night shift on a Saturday, in exchange for nursery hours at all other times?

It would be an advantage to your employer as they would always have cover for an unpopular shift, and they may agree that is worth you only being available during nursery hours at other times.

If that isn't an option, does he pay maintenance? Your own assets won't affect this, and if you register as self employed at the job centre you can receive half of JSA for 6 months (you could take over the management of your rental as a business). Would maintenance, rent and half of JSA be enough for you to live on?

Hi, alot of people are saying I should refrain and I'm not trained in anything. I'm not selling my mums house as we rely on the money form it to live.

But most people don't have out of hours childcare either OP. You're not alone in that. It's something that most people need to work around.

OK so you need something low skilled that is mostly 9-5. Call centre work? Cleaner?

Hi my ex went abroad I dont know where he is