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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder wtf people do without childcare??!

169 replies

StopBeingAGoat · 08/04/2018 21:59

How the hell do people with 0 childcare options cope in life??

Obviously you can get around some things but there are others that taking your kids along just isn't an option!

What the hell do you do??!

Basically for background, I've found out today that family have an issue with having my dd, apparently it's a problem for them!

So I've decided to stop using them as an option in future.

Sat here wondering wtf my options are??

Child's father isn't on the scene at all, neither is his family. I don't talk to many family members of mine.

I've 0 options.

OP posts:
JeremiahBackflip · 08/04/2018 22:01

Nursery. Nanny. Childminder. Basically paid options.

misstiggiwinkle · 08/04/2018 22:02

Pay for it...

Yvest · 08/04/2018 22:02

Yes you do, you pay a babysitter if you need childcare. Granted it costs but I’m constantly flabbergasted on here that people rely entirely on family for childcare. You look for suitable babysitters, you interview them and you reference check them just as if you were looking for a nanny.

elmo1980 · 08/04/2018 22:02

According to someone here earlier you need to "build a village" whatever that means.

Original poster
StopBeingAGoat · 08/04/2018 22:03

I don't work currently. I'm looking for a role that would offer me flexible part time hours.

I just means appointments where I can get short term childcare.

I have quite a few appointments for my mental health. Some last half hour, all the way up to 3.

OP posts:
MollyDaydream · 08/04/2018 22:03

Agree if you don't have any free options you have to pay.

Starlight2345 · 08/04/2018 22:04

Very little . I have a Ds no family near by . I save my favours for when I really need them . I have paid for babysitter occasionally but in reality rarely go out without him.

Littlecaf · 08/04/2018 22:04

Babysitter/ Mum friends etc or nanny/nursery/after school clubs.

A1Sharon · 08/04/2018 22:04

DH and i don’t have family, and I have just gone back to work after 10y as SAHM. Even with us both it has been a struggle. One week DH was so sick, a proper flu, and so I had to get the kids to school and was late for work. Went down like a lead balloon but WTF could I do??
I do have good friends but you can’t ask all the time.
My folks and his would help but unfortunately neither are near us.

NewYearNewMe18 · 08/04/2018 22:04

Depends on the age of the child. Pre-school you use paid child care. Between 5 and 11 you find a similar parent and swap favours along with paid for child care.

Family is a luxury.

DrunkUnicorn · 08/04/2018 22:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
StopBeingAGoat · 08/04/2018 22:04

I'm also in the process of going bankrupt. So I'm literally that.....bankrupt. I don't have a pot to piss in.

OP posts:
GreenEyedGoose · 08/04/2018 22:04

We have the best childminder but other than that it's just dh and l. To be fair the MIL flew over once when there was a big deal ceremony for dh I wanted to attend.

We are moving closer to family soon and the possibilities in my mind are endless!

PrettyLittIeThing · 08/04/2018 22:04

I am a lone parent to 4 dc. My children's father is completely absent and I have no family help. I just have to take them EVERYWHERE. The holidays have been particularly difficult. Ifs it's a place I can't take them I just don't go. (Was ill recently and couldn't go to the hospital as couldn't take the kids.) like pp said paid options are the only way but I wouldn't leave my kids with a stranger so I just get on with it.

Stopandlook · 08/04/2018 22:05

Eh? Nursery or Sitters.com if a one off.

evilharpy · 08/04/2018 22:05

You pay, just like most of us have to. No family help here. Closest family is 80 miles away.

3luckystars · 08/04/2018 22:05

What do you mean zero childcare options?
Most people (that I know) pay for childcare.

DoublyTroubly · 08/04/2018 22:05

Talk to your health visitor. They may be able to recommend something

BellyBean · 08/04/2018 22:05

Depending on the age of your children some au pairs and nannies are happy to do extra during school hours with agreement from their primary employer.

There's usuall a local childminder Facebook page you can ask on

Original poster
StopBeingAGoat · 08/04/2018 22:05

Will nurseries do one offs?? I've looked for creches but can't find any

OP posts:
shouldwestayorshouldwego · 08/04/2018 22:06

Find friends who also don't have a handy grandparent around the corner and do childcare swaps. Obviously not everyday for work etc for that you need to pay. More for occasional nights out, dr appointment, giving birth etc. You look after theirs and they look after yours sometimes.

Firenight · 08/04/2018 22:06

You pay for childcare, as others have said. One off you can ask a friend for a favour.

ChinkChink · 08/04/2018 22:06

I took a job working evenings and weekends. He worked days.

Bonus was not having to spend much time with ex-H. Grin

Original poster
StopBeingAGoat · 08/04/2018 22:06

Sadly I'm a loser and have no friends (my mental health has pushed everyone away).

OP posts:
BinG0wings123 · 08/04/2018 22:06

I have no childcare at all.
No family, no close friends, can’t afford to pay.
It’s shit, but it’s life.

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