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 have a professional job where I permanently wfh. I can tell you I can't do my job and look after a baby competently at the same time. I work with a lot of professional people who would be exactly the same. It would DEFINITELY not be possible in the vast majority of professional jobs. No matter how much you insist it would be.

No, she said you can get away with not having childcare because you only work for 2 hours a day. You keep up.

@Cookiesareworthit they've deleted loads of her posts

If you and your OH are able to flex your work so that your child has 121 attention from one of you all day then all power to you.

Unfortunately this isn't realistic for most sectors

@FinneusMum

Name these professional jobs that can WFH whilst providing quality childcare for their kids? Quality being the key word here.

I work with chartered accountants, surveyors, solicitors. I can’t think of a single one who has kept a baby at home whilst working except for lockdown and that was a complete shit show for people.

I am also curious to hear this. Perhaps I am in the wrong profession....

£800 a month in Gas and electricity per month? What did you spend a few months ago?

I live in a town house 3 bed. Big rooms and so far I don't spend any where near £800 a month on either.

She later referenced only the two hours. It was pretty clear to me what she meant. Regardless, given the IP ownership position there are similarities with being selfemployed. Like not being able to get sacked.... like most people are.

Do you realise how rude and aggressive you are coming across? You might think that your situation is the norm and perhaps it is in your profession or in your social circle but people are pointing that it's not in either of theirs and you're being disparaging.

Plus, it's easy to do what you do when you are team-tagging childcare inside the home with your DH. Many MNetters have spouses who work outside the home all day.

@FinneusMum

Semantics again.

You stated further up the thread you only need to work for two hours day.

Anyway what professional jobs are these? The world is bigger than your industry…. A lot bigger. Please do let us know so we can all switch careers I’m all ears …..

And when you say children you mean preschool children?

I work with loads of finance people. They would never be able to competently look after their small children as they are really busy.

You can't really use your DH as an example when he shares looking after your child with you, who only works 2 hours a day.

No, she said you can get away with not having childcare because you only work for 2 hours a day.

Yep, that's how I also read @Dalaidramailama's post. The "contractor" comment wasn't even the relevant point. The relevant point was if you work 2 hrs per day on average, then of course you can wfh and not use childcare! And you also can't relate whatsoever to anyone else who works longer hours than that.🤷‍♀️

You work 2 hours per day - that's why you can't really relate to others' need for childcare. It's not difficult to grasp.

@FinneusMum

The poster said:

@FinneusMum Works for two hours a day often on a self employed basis so the thread does not really relate to her.

Surely the salient point here, whether you're self employed or not, is that you work for 2 hours a day therefore this thread is not relevant to your situation.

I won't accept I am wrong becuase I am not. It was clear that the 2 hours a day was pretty key to your being able to spend a lot of time on childcare. You are hanging on to a thread here if that statement is the crux of your argument. And I think you probably know it.

I’m in a professional sector where WFH is currently permanent and people are trying to WFH with babies and toddlers to avoid childcare costs - let me tell you, it is not working.

I’m the one who posted upthread about working 1200 hours during the 18 month lockdown period, all written off, because I was covering for parent colleagues. The one you basically told to shush as I didn’t understand other people’s jobs. Now that you’re discussing professional jobs like mine, I think my experience is relevant.

The people who were doing this during the pandemic are still trying to do it and it’s still not working. My employer’s patience is finally running out (mine went some time ago). I don’t know anyone in my sector who works 10 hours a week for a full time wage and therefore who could make it work without significantly burdening their colleagues. Professional jobs quite often aren’t even 9-5, overtime is basically the norm.

It’s like talking to a brick wall, honestly.

@lancsgirl85

Yep and her husband also works from home so it doesn’t take a genius to really work out that dynamic. No insight at all into the lives of others.