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.

Thanks everyone. I will look at the entitled to website

I know that getting 70% of childcare paid is bandied around a lot but it only applies if you're full time minimum wage and paying a low amount in total. Any fewer hours or any higher hourly rate the childcare element drops quite substantially and it certainly won't cover costs in eg London. It's really really not the case that all single parents get 70% paid, by any stretch.

@LilyLongJohn

Childcare, you can claim 70% of this back via benefits.

The childcare element of WTC covers up to 70% childcare costs.

The childcare element of Universal Credit covers up to 85% of childcare costs.

@Enrico how do I find child care costs?

It totally depends on what you earn, childcare costs and support network.

I am a single working mother and don't have any benefits. If a low earner then I imagine benefits are better but could get 'stuck' on them

All the single parents I know work full time a part time work rarely covers an adults cost let alone the costs of two.

[quote 36pregnant]@Enrico how do I find child care costs?[/quote]
You'll have to look into local options, but here's an indication
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/childcare-costs

I work in s school 4 days a week, get working tax credits and maintenance from Dad. We get by fine we're not flush but doing ok.

@36pregnant look on nursery websites, contact local registered childminders - there should be a list, maybe through the council? Or education authority? I'm trying to remember how I found my childminder, think it was council. They're not necessarily more flexible than nursery - mine used to charge me for late pick up! But can work out cheaper depending on your work pattern and how they charge.

Single parent always have been

I think it very much depends on the support you have around you

I went back to studying. Personally the first year I would have struggled to study (I tried) Started to work when ds was two my mum at the time was helpful

It does get easier and less costly can be done but always lots of juggling

I have found universal credit really helpful. I am just about to begin a full time job but have been back working part time up until now, and got majority of the childcare fees reimbursed. Now I'm full time I will get a smaller percentage reimbursed, but I'm hoping that long term I'll be more secure.
I also have no family nearby that would help with childcare, so I feel your struggle!

If you do apply for universal credit please be aware of where your pay day falls in your assessment period. Eg I get paid the last Friday of every month and my assessment period is the 28th one month - 27th next month (e.g 28 July - 27th August). If I have two pay days in that time then I have a huge reduction in my universal credit that month. It's a rigid system, so do keep that in mind!

DD is in primary school and there is brilliant wrap around care which she loves.

I'm fortunate enough to earn a high salary, in a job which allows me to be flexible if DD needs me to be at school for the nice things like, Christmas play, Easter presentations etc but can also take time off easily for sickness etc, so for us it is very doable.

I’ve been a single parent for 16 years and worked full time the entire time. I’ll tell you how I did it with ease. A labour government. They pretty much paid my childcare. I could not have done it otherwise. It allowed me to progress in my career and eventually finance a decent life for me and my child. I do not know what I would do now. Similarly I got my degree when there were no fees and student loans. I feel truly blessed. I would happily pay more tax to fund these benefits for people who cannot afford to pay.

[quote 36pregnant]@MountainMert I have a degree[/quote]
You could do a PGCE. They're desperate for teachers and it pays really well to train and they cover your childcare costs. You can get £200 a week for the pre-course (SKE) then £2600pcm to actually train plus a student loan, childcare grant, child benefit etc (totals almost £40,000 in the end and it's all tax free).

@MountainMert family member is doing it at the moment. I’m pretty sure as we have both got degrees we don’t get any help.

I work full time, I earn a decent wage now, that means I’m not eligible for anything. I don’t receive maintenance from her dad so it is just me. I paid out the nose for child care when she was younger and I was on a worse salary but all those years of struggling meant I was able to secure a well paid flexible post. I now use wrap around child care, and no longer a childminder. It’s not been easy; bit she’s 8 and I’m finally on the way to setting ourselves up well for the future. I think finding the right career path is the key, and sucking up the cost of childcare in the short term until school starts and it gets easier.

I did part time for 4 years (from when dc were 6 and 3) then full time for the last 6 years.

Salary, tax credit top-ups and cms from my ex. Are you receiving maintenance from your baby's dad?

my parents deceased, ex parents overseas, no close family.

You can and you will if absolutely necessary - mine are now 13 and 11 and I am just beginning to realise that I have not considered dating for 10 yrs, but now could. Unbelievably scary prospect.

I have worked my arse off, organised superb ( thank you to those who know!) out of hours child care, paid to get myself out of trouble and been skint because of it.

I can now come home late -circa 2000, have two young lads growing into awesome men, who can cook their own tea, put the washing on and I trust.

I have had no life outside of them and work - who knows if anyone would want to have a relationship with me now but my boys are turning into fine young men.

Hi everyone I’ve not had the baby yet. Pregnant and not sure if I can keep it.

I wouldn't recommend becoming a teacher as a single parent. Do something better renumerated and less stressful! The accountancy suggestion was good - there's a shortage of decent accountants too.

@36pregnant there are lots of PGCE funding options - getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training

Been a single parent since dc was 4, still single now and she's 15. No family support. You do it because you have to and because it becomes (for me) a matter of principle. I am so proud of what I have done and achieved, because it is literally all mine.

I was a single working parent from when DS was 5 months old. Went back to work full time at that point because couldn’t afford to have longer off.
No family to do childcare for me so DS
Was in full time nursery and my wages just about covered that, our commute and bills / mortgage. It was tough but it was manageable (not a high earner) got easier when he went to school childminder wrap around care was cheaper

It is possible on a low wage too, with no support. Not the easiest path... But possible.

Mine were a lot older when i split with their dad 7 and 9. Luckly my work were understanding and did child friendly hours (carer)