AIBU to think being a single working parent is financially not possible

[36pregnant]

How do single parents actually manage to survive? I’ve tired in vain to find ways to work part time (thanks Covid) and have a newborn. It seems that it’s not possible and really benefits are the only way.

You could WFH. You could do a degree which means you'll get funding, support with childcare and have a higher earning potential later on. You could work evenings and use a babysitter (not for a newborn but when DC is slightly older). You could start your own business to work around/alongside childcare.

I work school hours and get benefit top ups

My friend has managed since her dd was eight days old and worked/works full time.
I’ve nothing but total admiration for her.

She does have a very good support network built up over the years to help.

@MountainMert I have a degree

I worked full time as a single parent. Until my mental health hit crisis point.
I did 3-4 x15 hour shifts per week. My mum had the dc when I was at work. Then got benefits as a top up.

@Bargebill19 agh I forgot to include the childcare help/support. I don’t have this.

Did you have a plan before pregnancy of what you would do? Or is this a result of a partner buggering off?

In my experience it's only really possable as I've been working from home since we separated, not sure how I'd manage otherwise.

I earn 25K and get tax credits as well as a small amount of maintenance.

@roarfeckingroarr unplanned pregnancy

I have 3 children, am a single parent and work full time. It is totally do-able, once you get a decent job. It is the getting a decent job that is the hard bit.

I was a single parent working full-time when the DC were 5 and 2. I can't imagine doing it with a newborn.

What is your degree in?

I think your problem is more to do with you working part time only rather than being a single parent.

I work fulltime across 4 days, mixture of WFH and in the office work. I plan my office time for when DDs at school or I can get another parent to pick up for me (obviously not possible with a newborn).

DD is 6, been on my own for 4 years in February and I love it.

Yes - mine are teens so childcare isn’t an issue.

Im a single parent & work full time, not easy, actually its fucking hard, but do able.

It depends on your job, your luck and location
Luckily I’ve got a decent job so could afford it.
Could you retrain as an accountant? You could study part time in your own time and gradually work up for example.

What is your job currently?

I'm a single working parent. Two kids, their dad left when the youngest was 4 weeks old. We didnt see him for 4 and a half years. I raised them properly alone; no weekends at dad's house.

I've worked the whole time, bought a house, they went to nursery then school, have music lessons and sports clubs and all the rest of it. Being a single worming parent has not left my kids worse off compared to their peers.

I relied on morning/after-school clubs. I trained for a job which does not require me to work weekends. Definitely doable.

*working parent!

That was a rather horrible typo!

As previous poster I am bringing up 3 children alone and work full time (was office bass bud now home based which is so much easier!). It's definately doable but you need reliable childcare and a lot of organisation.

Single working parent here. I work as a teacher 3 days a weeks. 2 kids aged 4 and 8.

Alongside my wage I get maintenance from their dad, child benefit at £140 a month and around £300 tax credits a month.

It helps MASSIVELY that they're school age and I don't have to worry about childcare in school holidays. If I did then I'd be forming out £180 a week through the holidays.

I get by, put food on the table, can afford days out and holidays, but if I was paying nursery fees I'd likely be struggling.

Of course you can. Its bloody hard and you need to be earning decent amount. Plus good childcare provision.

I will be doing it when I go back off maternity leave, but I'll be full time - part time would not be financially sustainable for me.