AIBU to feel stuck between finding work and arranging childcare?

[ThePoisedOpalBird]

I'm feeling at a bit of a loss and deflated and I'm not sure if I am being unreasonable or just stupid.

I am currently on maternity leave with my second baby. Things aren't amazing in my relationship with my partner so I am considering looking for a full time job instead of returning to my 2 day week minimum wage job so I can be more financially independent if things don't improve.

However I am having a tough time working out how to juggle getting a job and finding a nursery?

The nursery my 1st goes to has no spaces until April so I would need to apply elsewhere but I need to find a nursery before I start a job so I know I have childcare but I can't afford the nursery fees without a job but with how the job market is I have no idea how long it could take to find a job.

Am I being unreasonable to think how the hell do I make the step towards being more financially independent when I can't afford to put baby in nursery without actually having a full time job.

I may have to accept I will have to wait to return to my part time job and put baby into nursery in April when I can put him into the same nursery as my 1st with the free hours. But I thought I would see if mumsnet has any ideas I haven't thought of that would allow me to get a full time job sooner.

Is your partner not contributing towards the cost? They're his DC too. Assuming he works then he also requires someone to look after his children.

We have a joint household income pot so its a case of we can't afford the nursery fees if I don't already have a full time job.

a lot of jobs are not immediate start, for example those that require a months notice at previous places etc. could you search for a job and then set a later starting date and use that time to get the childcare sorted? Then you would know days and hours required also

I’d enjoy your maternity leave and go back to your original job, get settled back into your work THEN look at work and nursery options.

I’ve always used a childminder myself, which I found to be quite a bit cheaper (and more flexible)

going from 1-2 is a big jump and you’ll be exhausted when you first go back and could probably do without the stress of a new job.

When I went back after my first child, I ended up working evenings so as not to need childcare during the day. Would that potentially be an option?

This!

I work 2 nights a week currently. My partner works nights so I cant work evenings.

I'm also trying to earn more incase I end up on my own with 2 kids.

Thank you. This was my initial plan just with things at home feeling rocky I am feeling a bit financially vulnerable so wanted to increase my income but I think I will have to wait for now as it doesn't seem possible to juggle it all at once.

It is do able, but I would say that you will need support of family.

I had thought about this it just seems so unlikely I would be able to find a nursery with 2 spaces in the space of a month and I assume most jobs aren't going to be willing to wait 3 months for me to try to find a space for January especially as I will mainly be looking for an apprenticeship.

I just think it would be a lot in one go for you, especially if things at home don’t improve and if you were to separate, you’d be eligible for some universal credit anyway, which would help and then in time you could consider your options.

No family support available in terms of childcare unfortunately.

Definitely worth exploring what financial help you would qualify for. Enjoy your time with baby and use time to research.