What does a single working mother do, literally?

[hekissedmybottom]

So I've recently become a single mum to a 7 year old. Currently self-employed on Universal Credit in the really fortunate position of having full top ups until next year, so just before summer holidays. I am so very, very fortunate.

So I can keep my head above water and I can even take time out of work (I do work a lot) to think about next summer.

I need employment because I won't be able to do my self-employed work as no summer childcare.

I've had a wake up call this half-term, trying to work full-time as I was with a child who needs my attention and no help.

So I'm hoping for some input on how to do things. I was thinking of applying for a civil service job which would take me completely off benefits and I wonder if this is something that would help regarding summer holidays? I've heard 'it's flexible' but need to know what that means really.

Can I do my hours at night or very early or do I need to operate core hours in the summer holidays?

Or would I be taking leave?

What do you do in the summer holidays? Working to pay for childcare isn't really an option as I have bills and no savings.

Ideas we really welcome. Thanks.

There are very few jobs where you will be able to work whatever hours you want around children. I'd be very surprised if a civil service job allowed this, you will likely have core hours where you will have to work. It's in my contract that I can't look after kids while working, which is increasingly common since the WFH explosion. I pay for childcare.

If you can't cope while self employed you are won't be able to cope without paying for full childcare with a job.

UC will help pay for childcare (up to 85% of fees).

You use holidays, holiday club and, if you’re lucky, grandparents or other family. Civil service roles are flexible to a point, but unless you secure a term-time only contract you’re going to need to be available for work during the school holidays.

Hm, yes so could be best to not get a job and remain on UC and get childcare help in summer. Because with a job I wouldn't be on UC.

Okay, thank you. Yes I've only just found myself in this position and been working non-stop since so unable to think straight, as well as other things going on. So yes look like I'm best staying on UC. I have no family this is my main issue.

If you are in work you can get tax free childcare which saves 20%. Unfortunately childcare costs are just something you have to factor in. Are you getting maintenance?

@hekissedmybottom having a job doesn't necessarily mean you won't get UC, it goes by earnings. And no, UC only helps with childcare IF you have a job (otherwise why do you need childcare?). My partner works full time, I work 25 hours a week and we get UC including help with childcare fees.

It's very unlikely that any full-time job is going to give you sufficient flexibility for what you're hoping to do, or to have enough leave to take the whole summer off.

I'm not sure I understand the 'no summer childcare' thing? Are there no summer playschemes or similar near you? You'd be able to claim assistance for the cost through your UC.

The alternative - assuming no handy family members nearby offering to babysit - is trying to arrange informal options like childcare swaps with e.g. your child's classmates and their parents.

Generally speaking, no employers will tolerate you providing childcare while you are meant to be working, so roughly between 9-5. I do have my 10 year old home with me many days during the holidays, but I also have a dh who is self-employed. So he needs to do the bulk of the parenting during the working day as he isn't contracted to be working during those hours like I am. At most, I might make the occasional snack or lunch when I'm in the kitchen anyway. Mostly 10 year old needs to fend for herself and get her own food/drinks and entertain herself. My 5 year old is in holiday club.

Unless you are doing something really dangerous for children, like handling hazardous chemicals or sex work, you'd almost certainly be better off self-employed to manage school holidays if you plan to not use childcare. Alternatively, you need to figure out a way to use a mix of AL, unpaid parental leave and childcare (even if it's favours from friends and you have their dc on one of your days off).

I work 22.5 hours term time. When my children are older I hope to get a better job and work full time.

In your situation I think I would aim to get a job with a September start, and save up a bit of a buffer so by Easter 2024 you can start paying for childminder and holiday clubs. Christmas is easier because a lot of offices close anyway so you can sort of cobble it together.

Charity/public sector often have family friendly policies.

Really do the maths on the whole UC thing if you get a job - you may find you'd continue to get childcare help.

You use a holiday club. Most schools run one around here (London), usually about £25 a day, and you coordinate with their friends' parents to send them to the same one.

The last two weeks of August are when you have to take time off, because no clubs run then.

There are term time only contracts available in schools and in local government - take a look at your council’s vacancies

Clubs run year round where we are

It’s a while ago now, but as my village school had no summer holiday childcare club, I drove the DDs into the city with me and dropped them at a city primary that did have a holiday club, and accepted kids from out of area. It was then v handy to pick them up on my way home, as the school was about half a mile from my work. It wasn’t too expensive and the DDs loved all the company, team games, crafts and outings to safari parks etc.

Use the turn2us calculator, there is also the option to compare if you change circumstances.

Or call the Gingerbread Single parent helpline and they can help work out if you're better off self employed/working.

Start looking at childcare now, and get it booked ASAP. And start putting money away for paying the cost up front.

Or you can have an advance of the universal credit - but try to avoid this if possible.

As long as you are getting some universal credit then you can get support with childcare costs. 85% of the cost of childcare to a maximum payment of £646.35 for one child.

The childcare provider needs to be registered. You add the invoice ect onto the journal and get it paid back.

I work 4 days a week with a reasonable wage but still get UC to help with childcare costs. I don't get the full 85% due to my salary, its more like 65% but without it I would not be able to afford to work. As PP said, you get UC for childcare cost BECAUSE you are working. You wouldn't get it because you are not working. I'm hoping to come off it once my youngest starts school in September as I'll hopefully be able to afford to pay for after school clubs myself and I'll just have to save for holiday clubs like everyone else.

I'm currently-self employed to the tune of around 1200/month
Job I looked at pays 27K/annum but unsure how much childcare is during summer hols and wondering whether it's viable. Like I said no time to work things out cause I work a lot and dealing with a court case.

Really looking for input until I have some time, appreciate help.

Does the child's father pay maintenance and does he look after her at all?

That's a long shot because they'd need to need my help on weekends or evenings only.

Yes no family as I said. It really does suck.

No. He's in prison.

I use a mix of paid childcare, flexitime days I build up in termtime, annual leave and unpaid parental leave. I only work parttime mainly because I can’t cover the holidays. I have some family help but it’s still tough. However in civil service type jobs you get annual salary point bumps and the pension is good so even if it doesn’t look like a great deal short term it will be longer term especially when your child is old enough to not need childcare. You can use a take home pay calculator.

Yes I might be better getting a school job and funnily enough I just had word about a job that were willing to be flexible at a college 10-2 daily which I could manage. I would likely continue to get UC and thus childcare help.

Thank you. I had just heard civil service were extremely flexible as long as the work was done but obviously I heard wrong.