How many hours can a single parent realistically work now?

[firstmentat]

Just interested in people's opinions. What do you think is a realistic number of productive hours per week a person can work during the lockdown in the circumstances below? An expectation of full time hours is probably unrealistic, but how much is reasonable to expect? Trying to manage my expectations re work productivity.

If there are suggestions of a tried-and-tested timetable, I would be really grateful.

• Single parent (the other parent is not involved);
• Two children, 4 and 6;
• Not a key worker (so children at home);
• Desk job (similar to data analysis / software development);
• Some light managerial / supervisory duties;

Thank you all!

Glad that I don't work for colour my dreams but also glad that I don't work with soverylost.

We're allowing anyone to work their hours in any shift pattern that suits as long as their output is pretty much 100%. (Job is one that is suited to homeworking). So weve got parents working split shifts and weekends. Anyone who cant fulfil their contracted hours can reduce them, but pay is also reduced accordingly. It's unlikey we'll return to the office, and we've used this as a trial so needed to set out our stall in terms of productivity expectations from the start.

4_5 hours with most in the evening.

Housework etc can be done around kids that age. They should be in bed 7ish.

Some screen time in the day and some time when they're sat doing drawing or school work should give a few minutes.

My employer has been fantastic. Even if you can only work zero hours due to childcare or other caring issues, you will be paid your full salary. The result of the organisation’s staff friendly approach means they are rewarded by exceptional loyalty.

What on earth are parents supposed to do?

Hi all, yes it is about me and the reason for asking is that I am on the brink of resigning really.
Despite cutting my hours (and the salary, of course) in half and the employer being quite sensible about flexible schedule, I just don't seem to manage it very well. Someone was bitchy about me "holidaying" on the call today (not being aware that I am also on the call, I dialled incognito from my phone rather from the laptop webex), and it had really touched a nerve.
It seems that every time I try to sit down and concentrate on something work-related, there is a massive fight breaking out between the children, or, if there is suddenly an eerie silence, it means that they are somewhere up to no good and it makes me only more nervous. The screen time was extremely limited in our household pre-lockdown, we even did not have a TV - obviously it is through the roof now, but the downside is that the impact on behaviour is also visible.

Both are in school, and the school is calling every other day to check if the homework has been done or why the children have not "commented" on some sort of activity in the google classroom. I seem to constantly lose track of scheduled and rescheduled online classes across a zillion different platform the school uses. The house is an absolute tip. I made a couple of timetables to follow, but failed to implement all of them - if one thing does not go according to the plan, it seems to trigger a chain reaction of other things not going according to the plan.

I guess I just needed a rant, if I have time to post on mumsnet, clearly I do have some spare time, it just does not feel like it.

About 4 hours MAXIMUM

I will be working as a single parent with a toddler from next week as ex has now moved out.

I would be aiming for 5 hours per day. An hour over breakfast time with use of tv.
2 hours during nap.
An hour over lunch, same as above for breakfast.
20 mins in and out a few times across the day, whilst I get him settled with new activities.

My employer is thankfully very understanding and does not expect me to complete my timesheet. As long as I get my key targets done I’m fine.

Can you afford to pay someone (sensible and safe themselves, and who you will also treat safely) to come to the house for a few hours during the day to care for your children or maybe supervise some learning? An otherwise-isolated childminder or even a student for example?
As exhaustively established on other threads, it's specifically allowed by guidance and might be expensive but potentially still a big saving Vs quitting your job especially right before a recession.

www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance?#working-in-peoples-homes-as-a-tradesperson-cleaner-or-nanny

@ColourMyDreams with that attitude I hope all your staff are doing as little as possible for you while they take this opportunity to get job applications out. Knob Jockey.

‘Mike’ -

I would assume about 4 hours is possible during the day and maybe an extra 2 hours either evening or early morning, so 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. I manage probably 2-3 hours during the day but I have a 2 & 7 year old. It would be vastly easier if my youngest was 4 and could get his own snacks and entertain himself for longer. I do about an extra hour in the evening (they aren’t in bed til close to 9). I do have dh (who can’t work from home though), but he is taking a day off each week and then I also work all day Saturday. My employer doesn’t care how many hours I work though as long as I’m doing the best I can.

@Stuckforthefourthtime
Yes, it is an idea I entertained. It was not a success before (I had a nanny prior to youngest starting school, but working from home was a bit complicated, as they would not stay with the nanny if I was around). But maybe worth trying now that they are a bit older, and quite honestly had enough of me in the recent weeks, so might enjoy the change.

I'd certainly inform the sxhool that you were juggling WFH and to stop hassling you!

I’m managing around 4 hours a day. My work is my own and there is no one “picking up the slack”. Our industry has slowed down significantly (so I’m not behind), but not slowed down enough that I will ever be furloughed.

I tried to do my usual 50-60 hours in the first two weeks of lockdown and I completely burnt out. We’re all doing our best in the circumstances.

I expect my staff to work the same number of hours and shifts that are stated in their contract.

Very very few work places will be able to continue with contracted hours whilst ensuring social distancing. My workplace has already changed staff hours to ensure that only the minimal personnel required are on the premises at any one time. With your attitude you'll be lucky if your business is allowed to continue and if you're putting staff at risk I hope someone dobs you in and you're shut down.

I would think around 4 hours a day/ 18-24 hours a week is manageable with everyone getting enough sleep. 1-2 hours around the kids and 2-3 hours after they are in bed.

OP:

DO NOT resign

Ignore any catty remarks from other workers
Keeping your job depends on your employer, not on spiteful colleagues

Keeping your job must be your top priority
Far more important than education at your DC age

Tell the school your DC will not be doing any more work until they can return to school
Say that keeping a roof over their heads and food in their bellies takes priority

I’m managing 4 hours on a day where I also get schooling done with young DC, 6 hours but then won’t be able to get more than 1 or 2 pieces of schooling set, 8 hours if loads of screen time + work from 9 til midnight

I agree that school need to remove the pressure. Be polite but firm. I think most employers are being more understanding about parents with small children at home and do not expect full time. Friends seem to be doing about 1/2 of their hours but spread over the full day. Mostly in the evenings. Maybe they just have good employers.

What excuse do the childless have?

Jesus Christ, @SoVeryLost. I'm currently working well in excess of my contracted hours, as are all of my childless colleagues, because my employers' very generous policy for parents (entirely respectable) has left a huge resourcing gap. I'm not delighted at having to put in so much overtime (which I'll never be able to claim back as time in lieu), but until this moment I was very much in the "we're all in it together" mindset. Less so, now...

I've had bosses like ColourMyDreams. Utter cunts. Your employees hate you, btw, not that I suppose you care!

I’d say 2-3 hours in the day max, including maybe an hour before they got up and then a snatched 15-20 minutes here and there. Then about 3 hours in the evening which would be when the bulk of the work would happen.

My company has just introduced a special flexible working policy for people with children where you work 60% (arranged however you like) so clearly this is what their realistic expectations are.

It's child free not child less - some people choose not to have children for very valid reasons! It doesn't mean they're any less of a person.

OP - I really feel for you. If it helps, my colleagues are averaging maybe 50% or 60% hours. Don't resign at a time like this. It's absolutely natural that you're struggling - nobody does well in a situation this chaotic - and if your employer is being sensible, then try to put the catty comments out of your mind. You're doing the best that you can do, and that's all that you can expect of yourself.