To be using more than one avenue of childcare in Lockdown

[triplettrouble]

I'll start this my saying I've tried to change my working hours but I am fairly new to the company and it currently isn't possible.
My children (triplets 18 months) are with the childminder 3 days a week and my parents one day and my in-laws one day a week.
I understand this is not strictly within the rules. I know a childcare bubble means one extra household.
My childminder can't take my kids an extra day. Neither set of grandparents can do another day. Mainly because they are hard work. 3 x under 2s really is rough going.
I've only been back in work 2 months and I really needed it for so many reasons. BUT I am going against the rules a bit. Both grandparents are happy as the kids are the only people they see. Any advice? Would you be happy to continue?

You do what you have to do to keep your job.

I need a lie down now at the thought of triplets under two

As a mum of twins you have my total respect.
You have to do what you have to do.

You have triplets under 2. In my mind that's pretty much a free pass to do whatever you want.

Don’t worry, we are all having to do what we can to keep our jobs. We will be bending the rules too when I go back to work soon. Sometimes there is no other option.

Thank you. I've had a few comments but it's either this or me and them at home all day everyday with my husband working every hour and me probably on the wine by breakfast!

YANBU. Your job is important.

You do what you need to do. No judgment from me at all. Is there at least a chance grandparents will have vaccine soon?

My childcare is shared between grandparents and nursery. It's that or unemployment.

Unless the people commenting are also volunteering to provide 5 day a week childcare then tell them where to stick their comments.

You are doing the best you can in the circumstances. Don’t feel bad for that

I'm quite vocal on here about people abusing the childcare bubble scheme (though for using it when not a necessity; not for having more than one) and even I don't begrudge this.

Keep doing what you have to. It can't be easy.

I'm quite vocal on here about people abusing the childcare bubble scheme and even I don't begrudge you for this.

Keep doing what you're doing. It can't be easy.

This isn't against the rules in Scotland. I use nursery and both sets of grandparents. Now nursery is shut I use grandparents and occasionally my sister.

Sorry - stupid phone!

Omg triplets under 2 that must be crazy! I don’t see what choice you have to be honest, if it’s that or lose your job I don’t know what else can be done.

Yanbu.

I wouldn't judge you for farming them out individually to passers by. Jesus 3 under 2 gives you a free pass for anything to keep your job and your sanity!

@Mylittlepony374

You have triplets under 2. In my mind that's pretty much a free pass to do whatever you want.

I agree! Do whatever it takes to keep your job & your sanity.

I couldn't WFH with one 18 month old let alone three

I've been wondering how many people do this - I imagine it's very common to use both sets of grandparents in normal times. I think it's a bit of an unspoken thing that it's okay as I'm not really sure what else a lot of people would do.

I'm having to do this, no childminder but rely on my mother, my uncle, and every few weeks my kids paternal grandmother (when one of the others can't do it). It's not ideal but like in your situation it's the only time they see the kids so they are more than happy to be doing it. I felt uneasy at first knowing it's not really within the rules but at the end of the day me and DH need our jobs and this is the only way to keep them.

Keep doing what you need to do.

And I think you are superwoman!

No judgement from here and I take it that anyone querying your decision isn't offering help?... Thought not

I think it's fine too. The point of allowing childcare bubbles was to allow informal arrangements to continue, as not everyone uses paid childcare. I know my nursery wouldn't be able to take my DS for more days at the moment and neither set of parents can cover 2 days so, here you are.

Triplets under two and you're working too?! you have a free pass to do whatever keeps you sane in my opinion.

Yanbu. No judgement here, keep going as far as I'm concerned.

Do what you need to keep your job. My DD goes to school with my parents providing ad hoc childcare as me and DH both work shifts. We have twice (this 2021 lockdown) had to ask my sister to provide childcare when my parents were working. It’s what need to do to continue working.

I'd continue with your current arrangements. They seem perfectly reasonable.