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

Laughable 😂😂!!

I would sack you dear and there’s plenty of people without kids who would be willing to fill your space but you crack on.

There’s a flaw in your plan OP - it’s not parents who would do this; it’s women

that is her plan as clearly the childrens father/s aren’t joining her, if they are alive or not sperm donors. She can’t afford childcare so is trying to convince other women to also fuck their careers.

The ones who “nip out” to do pick ups at my place had it okayed on the assumption that it’d be 20 minutes, but in reality they are gone for an hour or 90 minutes, presumably because they’re setting kids up with activities/snacks or whatever. They briefly reappear before 5pm and then log off for the day. It takes the absolute piss out of flexible working (and yes, this is in addition to the morning drop off and the lunch break).

Childcare would be the last thing I stop paying for the sake of ny mental health if anything else. Keeping the kids home, with me workings, stressed, burnt out and no money for any light relief. Sounds fun fun fun!

Perhaps the epiphany should have come before choosing to have a second child?

You sound like great company

I understand but I don't think this is going to go down well with your employer.

DH had a similar problem when he cycled to work. His employer just kept telling him to get a car, despite DH pointing out that on the minimum wage we couldn't afford one.

And the cycling didn't inconvenience the employer that much, just meant that he couldn't get to work in the snow, couldn't carry much stuff between work and home and he couldn't change shifts at a moments notice because it took him 40 minutes to get there. WFH with a baby would inconvenience your employer far more than that.

Childcare costs are crippling! Ask to wfh because you can no longer afford the commute. You do not have to tell your boss you are stopping childcare. Work at night and when baby sleeps. Best of luck. Millions did it through covid!!

Does the OP really think that she's going to start the revolution from a MN thread?

I fully appreciate the frustration and worry here, I pay for childcare and have ever increasing bills and it is very difficult for everyone

However

Our working from home policy it states that while we are being paid for during our core hours we are not to double up as childcare and make arrangements as if we're in the office;

It's not fair on anyone - the employer, you or the kids to think this is a solution.

Our management (NHS) have had to apply the disciplinary procedure in cases where the procedure hasn't been followed, kids interrupting meetings etc and were always reminded that this would never be an option for nursing staff who have to be on a ward and the same rules apply across the board.

Plus if your at home all day you'll be spending more on electricity and gas using a laptop and heating anyway!!!!

I wish I could high five you for this comment, thank you for getting it!

Enough really is enough

I mean.....stranger things have happened in the past two years 🤷🏽‍♀️

😂😂😂

Yes, I thought you might say that. I work with lots of people who think just like you.

I mean.....stranger things have happened in the past two years

I still wouldn't hold out for your chances

I imagine OP wouldn't be impressed if her 10 year old's teacher decides, "Heck, I'm struggling to make ends meet and my salary is shit. I'll just start bringing my baby and toddler to class when I teach my class of thirty 10 year olds. I'll still get a fair amount of work done, they'll learn something, surely, and I won't have to pay for childcare.'

I really hope both you and your husband are ok x

Work at night and when baby sleeps. Best of luck
And if you do a job which requires you to work with other people? or provide a service to people?

Millions did it through covid!!
And millions of women's careers got fucked over because they were trying to work and provide childcare.
Lots of people suffered with their mental health because it was bloody awful.

This could have an impact if the majority did it. But only a tiny minority will, which leaves them quite likely to lose their jobs.

Do you think your employer cares about you

Not particularly, but I do think my employer cares about me fulfilling the terms of my contract. And will sack me if I don't.

Please do this OP, then report back in a few months time about how it's going😜No one is going to join you in this nonsense, but I'm all for freeing up jobs for us childfree people, so crack on👍

To those who say it's impossible.... I worked for 7 long years (from home) when my daughter was 1. She never really went to FT childcare and I did my work absolutely fine and got several promotions. Nobody really cared. American company so they were used to. Current company you see people feeding babies at meetings, you can hear children playing in the background, etc...

The apathy of everyone else is the problem apparently, while these newly minted rebellious heros plan out their hypothetical manifesto from the comfort of their own keyboards.

@QueefofSheena

Well said!!!

Why are you paying 2000 pounds a month for childcare? It doesn’t cost that much the 10 year old doesn’t need it.

Enjoy your lonely epiphany. It will not catch on.