Not paying for childcare this autumn as bills go up

[Essenceandvibes]

I've just had an epiphany.....I absolutely won't be paying a penny for childcare this autumn as bills increase and I won't be made to feel guilty about it either. I can work from home and watch my baby and pick up my 10 year old from school without the assistance of anyone else and if my employer has an issue with it, he can pay an extra £2000 per month post tax to cover the cost of full time help.

Our bills are going to be about £800 a month just electricity and gas alone for our detached 4 bed house, this isn't even thinking about the increase of petrol or groceries.

The mortgage has also gone up a few hundred quid too....childcare and commuting is now a luxury not necessity and I really hope every parent joins me in asking for employers like it or lump it

Shameful the government have let everything get this far, the knock on effects will be huge

I think there is an argument that if employers can’t keep wages at pace with inflation they will need to negotiate on other things people need/want. I’ve basically done this (not with a baby!) but to avoid after school care but it was all agreed. I did make the point they simply weren’t paying the kind of money where after school care was feasible. They agreed.

@Dalaidramailama

Me too. It actually makes my own job sound super exciting 😂

to the point where they're considering taxing childless people

Do you not think we find it taxing enough to be without children?

OP you sound selfish, childish and entitled. Not much of an example to set your 10 year old. You're going to have fun with her when she behaves like you when she's 14.

OP, I think you're class 🙌

I don't understand how the majority of posters think you are in the wrong here. Why can't people see how corrupt and immoral this government is??

As I said upthread, I can understand the concerns re WFH with childcare but what is the actual alternative? Death?! All we're asking for is fair and affordable energy. I don't expect it to be the same price as pre-Covid, for example, but I do expect Ofgem to have a few words considering the record profits these companies are making off of us at the minute.

I also think a lot of people who complained about the Insulate Britain supporters might be kicking themselves soon. But I'll get my hard hat on and brace myself.

I wonder if you work in the public or private sector, OP?

@amijustparanoidorjuststoned We don’t disagree because we’re all amazed at how great the government is, we disagree because it’s a terrible idea. It won’t be “sticking it to the man”, it’ll just mean making another employee‘s life more difficult as they’re expected to pick up the slack. When patience runs out, chances are the mum will be sacked and the employer will think twice about hiring another woman of childbearing age. It’ll have literally no impact on energy companies whatsoever.

I think your job sounds very interesting OP!

(Not the point of the thread though I realise).

We live in different parts of the country. I have not seen anything like that where I live.

Funny how OP disappeared just as God's Answer To Retail Psychology arrived.

@Essenceandvibes too fucking right, loved every reply you’ve given on this post too!

People need to stop doffing their caps “yes please raise my bills and make it harder for me to eat and live” for fucks sake get some pride. It doesn’t have to be this way, record profits and dividends for the 1% while we are here deciding between childcare and household bills?! You’re just OK with that?!?

I’m striking and signing up for action against energy companies and this government. When we win I’ll come back and say you’re welcome and I’ll be glad living standards have improved for all of us; but I won’t forget that the majority of folks on mumsnet were on the side of unfair treatment, bills and living standards - that’s the wrong side of history.

No neither have I since the 70s but that was my point, back in the day we didn’t have iPads as babies we just stared at the clouds.

@MooPointCowsOpinion I’m all for striking and if my workplace strikes I’ll be doing so. We’re not all fawning sheep just because we think OP’s idea is dangerous and stupid, rather than a useful protest strategy.

Quite a lot of people managed it during lockdown.

Quite a lot of people did it during lockdown. Whether they managed it well and remained sane is quite another matter.

Gods answer to retail psychology 😂😂 👏 👏 👏

I did laugh at this one myself 😂

It's people like you with your epiphanies who will ruin it for other people who genuinely are working hard when they are at home or who have to cover your slack.

@lancsgirl85

Me too, it was a matter of time before someone came out with a one liner and that is the best one today 😂

Cannot wait until you reach the toddler phase.

FYI as a baby my baby was so chiller, would sit in their chair/ pushchair or chill on a plaay and watch the world go by happily. Nowadays the same baby is now a toddler. Pretty sure they are half mountain goat, half child of Houdini .They can climb anything in seconds and escape playpens/ highchairs and car seats even with the application of reins in the time it takes me to go to the toilet.

Good luck, but you are likely to either be sacked, put on capability measures or have a nervous breakdown.