AIBU to think I could do this?

[Claplikeaseal]

I have 2 DC. 9 and 2. I am a stay at home mom, my partner works full time usually. However, we're going through a rough patch and I think it's pretty inevitable really that we're going to split up.

I've been offered an interview for a job working from home, I know there's no guarantee I'd even get it. But, it would really help ease the pressure with everything else going on. I wouldn't need to worry about finances.

But, I'll have no one to look after the children and I won't have school or nursery as an option for now.

AIBU to think I would be able to work from home with them both? Is it just wishful thinking on my part? I think I will take the interview either way, at least it's practice. I'm just worried because I will be screwed financially and things are just pretty shit at the minute

Yes you can but it will be tremendously tough, and if you are already under a lot if pressure it will be even harder.

But you can do it, and you might only need to do it for a few weeks before some kinds of childcare options become available.

I would try it. What's the worst that can happen? You lose the job you wouldn't otherwise have anyway.

Definitely have the interview. Because if you don’t you will forever wonder ‘what if’. And it may be that you are not excepted then at least there is no longer a decision to make.

If you do get it try and work out if you will manage it.
I currently work from home (usually in an office 9-5 tue to fri)
I have 3 kids. Youngest is 3. My DH works also. It’s very tough but I am able to do a chunk of work early in the morning when they are asleep- watching morning tv. And then a chunk from 7pm-10pm when they are asleep.
Trying to do it in the middle of the day is extremely stressful.

You should do the interview for practice alone, but you cannot take a job and WFH with kids in tow and no childcare for them. That’s not on.

What sort of work is it?

Yes it will be tough but I would do it especially in your circumstances.

I would try it, the childcare issues will resolve themselves (and it may not be an immediate start) and your DP will presumably need to take the kids some days.

Lockdown won't last forever. Go for it, but be honest with them at interview. If they don't think it's doable under current circumstances they might consider you for future opportunities. A lot of other people applying might well be in the same boat!

You have nothing to lose and it's interview practice if nothing else. Good luck!

It's it a 9-5 type job, or can you work around the DC?

Right now everyone is wfh with small kids running about. Do the interview, see what happens. Good luck!

a job and WFH with kids in tow and no childcare for them. That’s not on.

A shit load of us are having to do this right now. Would you say the same if she had got the job just a few weeks before lock down then had no choice but to manage it?

OP it might not be that long until childcare opens, but this could be a job for years. Who knowS. With a shot at the interview at least

It says that the hours are flexible, so I'm sure I could work around the children. It's an online customer service role.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I think I will have the interview, see what they say, explain my circumstances and I'll know more about what will be expected.

If it's not something I can do or I don't get it, at least I've had the experience, it's been a few years since my last interview.

Either way, I will need to find something and work something out.

If it was just the 9 year old I don’t think it’s a problem, but with the two year old It would be very tricky. But it depends on what type of job it is and how many hours. Do you have to work at a certain time or can you set your own hours and work in the evening when your two year old is asleep?

While lots of people are doing this at the moment out of necessity, in general workplaces will have a policy that prohibits people from working and looking after children at the same time. It’s worth raising this if they offer you the job, to see what the policy is. As it’s flexible hours, they may be more willing to allow it.

A shit load of us are having to do this right now. Would you say the same if she had got the job just a few weeks before lock down then had no choice but to manage it?

sparklefarts That’s irrelevant. The situation we’re in is unprecedented, but it won’t last forever.

We will leave lockdown and employers will not be happy with employees wfh with no childcare.

Good luck!

*A shit load of us are having to do this right now. Would you say the same if she had got the job just a few weeks before lock down then had no choice but to manage it?

sparklefarts That’s irrelevant. The situation we’re in is unprecedented, but it won’t last forever.

We will leave lockdown and employers will not be happy with employees wfh with no childcare.*

Yeah but I'm assuming when she said no school or childcare for now was because of the current situation? And thus after the current situation eases she can find childcare, and so completely relevant...

Tbh, this is a set-up that lots of people would struggle with atm, even if they had solid childcare under ordinary circumstances. The fact that you don't already have childcare in place might not work against you as long as you're willing to sort it out as soon as it's possible. But if not, then I don't think wfh with a 2yo is viable, unless it's very, very part-time and flexible. But you should definitely do the interview for the practice, especially if you haven't worked in some time. I'm sorry your marriage is going tits up. I don't suppose the lockdown is helping.

As soon as your littlest one turns 3 they will get funded nursery hours and you should be eligible for 30yrs if you work so that's an option (not sure how soon as depends when your 2 is 3)
I'd give it a go 😆 good luck x

You have nothing to loose and the more interviews you go for the better it's all good at building your skills up.