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.

Holiday clubs generally there are 2 sorts. One type is from 10-2 and either do something like Art, Drama or Multi Sport. The other type is what you need 8-5/6pm to enable parents to work. These usually cover a bit of everything. Last summer my son did dodgeball, swimming for 1 hour (child must be able to swim 50 metres to swim), short tennis, football, rounders, cricket, Art, Lego, dance, or something like jewelry making with pasta or learning to juggle. From 8-9 and 5-6 they could do watching TV or gaming with parents permission. Children choose at least 4 options. They take a packed lunch and 2 snacks and drinks with them plus sun cream and swim kit. My son chose mostly Sports options everyday. These clubs are very reasonable in price, think £20-£25 per day, and are run by council at a school sports centre and only have a few places. Best to ring council to find where they are months in advance and snap up a place quickly. Once they have been on one of these clubs children were given leaflet about next half term club on last day they attended. I booked immediately for next half term. In past I have used a cricket coaching course at £50 per day but if child did all 5 days got one day free. They did wrap around care for £5 ph where they did extra cricket or watch cricket on TV waiting for parents.

You should check sports clubs etc for the summer. Dance classes etc. They often run Monday to Friday type things for 35 per week and the likes. You could ask the school if they know of any?

You're right. I just had the idea of CS whilst all this was going on but I recently got work that pays very well and yes, I need to streamline, not go into employment.

Were you paying childcare costs at the time?

The single Mums I know have teamed up with other single parents who work from home. They alternate playdates at their homes. At 7 years old, they may not need a lot of supervision, so depending on your role, you may be able to get some work done while they're at your house too, but if they need to be supervised, then at least you can work on the days when your child is at their friend's house.

@hekissedmybottom Rise Up is free to participate.

Just do whatever you need to do to keep afloat OP, if that means staying on UC then that’s what you should do, it is what the benefits system was created for.

I wouldn't rule out CS, as I said in a pp I do and they do term time only and even though that's not what I do it's quite flexible anyway and I manage in hols by starting early etc in holidays

I work in a public sector job..I have been lucky to be able to work fairly flexibly around the children (9.30-.2.30 office hours and the rest when they are in bed) but I am not sure how common that is. And I do use holiday clubs

Civil service is very flexible in that hours can vary in terms of start times and finish times but they generally expect you to be available for the core hours 10-3ish and work either side of this is you want to work early or later on in the day. Term time contracts are sometimes available. Civil service generally has reasonable annual leave allowance too. But it won't cover all holidays so a good holiday club is what I use for the days left after all annual leave is gone. I reckon long term getting a job would be best (as you'll be paying into pension and get on career ladder etc.) Good luck!!

Annual leave, holiday clubs and childcare swaps with friends. In the holidays Monday is day off. Tuesday ill usually take as annual leave, ill usually have a frinds child with me and then on wednesday said friend will
have their annual leave day and lool after mine to return the favour. Then thursday and friday amI am lucky that my mum will
often look after mine but if she is away/ busy then Id look to option a) try other friends for swaps or b) holiday club

As a lone parent I also really appreciate the benefits I get from working for a large company. Pension but also health and dental cover are a massive benefit for me and DD13.

Bloody hell, OP, you're going through it, aren't you. Life can be really bloody unfair. It's hard without family. Hard in the practical sense of hands on help, and hard when you see other parents with supportive family more than just managing. I'm pleased for them but it's like a punch in the gut while I'm scrabbling around trying to cobble it all together with annual leave and holiday clubs. You will find your way through this.

Civil service jobs vary - there is no one size fits all. In my department you can work compressed hours, you can work part time, you can do part year working and you can work flexitime. However, you can't work and look after a child at the same time, and you are generally expected to work your hours between 7am to 7pm. This can be restricted further depending on the requirements of your business area.

If you're on Facebook, take a look at The Work From Home Hub - it's run by a lady who posts jobs for all levels, either fully WFH or hybrid roles all over the country. There are usually plenty of part time roles too

Yep, I know it's tough and of course one of the things you get from being employed is that sense of support from a manager, so I completely understand the desire to try something else, but it sounds like you're onto something in your freelance journey. Maybe start another thread specifically on that in work to see if you can get good advice? The SE community on here is small but v helpful.

I used a combination of childminder/holiday clubs/play schemes/leave

I could purchase two additional weeks leave - I'd split that between holidays - maybe with the odd day in childcare each week.

You are entitled to support with childcare as a single parent on UC which helps

Childminder. Usually, when one is on holiday, another is happy to help out - look for childminders who have a few backups in place.

Lomger term, if you have the skills, there are a few term-time jobs available in schools. TAs are highly sought after (because the pay is crap), we have a few cleaning ladies who double up as lunchtime supervisors or dinner ladies. Some receptionists, a few finance officers, on call patrol and some admin staff are also term-time only. Might be an option if you really struggle, but it will take a lot of searching to find something suitable.

I'm a single parent and I juggled childcare with a mix of annual leave, play dates, paid childcare clubs both sports and activities, residential holiday clubs and sometimes he went to family for a couple of days. Mostly I paid for childcare.

My hours could be relatively flexible but I was constantly making up time or trying to do extra to have a Flexi day off.

No employer would allow you to fit in the job around childcare unless it was term time only.