Help solve my childcare problem please!

[Apples6544]

Firstly I know IABU to post here too but childcare gets no replies.. Hi everyone I really need some help, I’m a FTM so no idea what’s available/ how things work with childcare really! Basically I work 5 days a week has to include weekend days but I do complete my own rota so do have some flexibility/ can work shift times that suit me for the most part- pre maternity I mainly worked 7-17 or 8-18, days are usually different every week- no set days off, I do have at least 4 weeks worth of shifts though. Partner works 5 on, 3 off rolling shift pattern so he always has 3 days off together but they are different every week. He works fairly ‘normal’ hours 8:30-17:30. Grandparents want to help occasionally but can’t really commit to a specific day. One of my days off will be a day when partner is also off so that we have a family day every week. My little girl will be 10 months old when I return to work in April. So in summary we need childcare for 2/3 days a week- probably different days every week but we can give 4 weeks notice, it will include weekends and will be at least 10 hour days/ potential early starts. What the hell are my options! 😳 Feel like I’m in need of a unicorn 😬 any help/ advice gratefully received!

No advice on weekends but my uni timetable is hectic and often changes at short notice. Every single week I have different hours. The only way I can do it is by paying for all 5 days and then DS goes as and when, no notice required to change or adjust, they expect him and if he doesn't show they still get paid.

This is not going to work, either logistically or in terms of your family life. You will quickly end up tearing your hair out and arguing with your husband as to who is going to take time off, especially when your child is ill (and they so often are in the early years).

Should you make it successfully to the school years, which I very much doubt, it will just get worse. Time to be realistic I'm afraid, and yes, you do need to think about these things in advance, as a PP said. It is nearly always the woman's career that suffers when DC come along, and as for your lifestyle.... Well, look into what raising a child costs for starters.

Sorry to be gloomy but that's usually the way it works, unless you can find a fairy godmother. If you do, never ever let her go! 😄

The voice of experience here. Good luck.

Just to say, as per earlier comments. If you work such long shifts & weekends it really isn’t that bizarre to have a good idea of childcare before you conceive?? Surely you know that?
You’re hardly going to see your child but I hope find a solution

@SendHelp30 as per my previous comments we weren’t trying to conceive!

Frankly I find some of the comments to be rude, i will be there in the morning when she wakes up, I will be able to do bed time every day, i will have at least 2 days with her, OH will have 3. Never have I said that there would be an issue with care if she is ill, obviously then one of us would need to take that time off- same as any other working parents?! The post is about finding flexible childcare and I feel I’ve made some good progress with the help of PP who helped work it out and recommended childcare.co.uk

Just give a bit of thought to the future - as soon as you get to school age you won’t have 2 days a week with her. It might be worth a think about your long term plan once the short term plan is in place if you both have to work weekends

@PotteringAlong yeah that’s a good point, I actually saw a job within my company this morning that would be Monday to Friday but for right now that would mean more days in childcare for her but definitely something I will revisit in a couple of years! Thanks 😊

@Apples6544 I know it doesn’t apply in your case but I just mean it isn’t that strange of a concept. Especially when people don’t have standard work patterns. My sister has similar to you and it’s been very difficult. My nephew is with somebody different every day but unlike with you she either misses breakfast / dinner time. Sometimes both. It’s far from ideal but she has to do it until she can afford to drop her hours.

Also think about when your daughter is in school; nativities, award assemblies etc. I wasn’t trying to be harsh, just realistic.