Single parents: long hours and childcare - how do you cope?

[Peppin]

Just curious really. How do single parents in the sorts of jobs where the hours are long/unpredictable and working from home is not an option manage, if they can't afford a nanny?

Use a childminder or a mixture of nursery and au pair.

I expect a lot rely on family to help out.

Finding flexible childminders or nannies, I look after the child of a single parent (I am a cm) and work with her shifts (some 6am starts) and have registered for overnight in case she needs it.

I've had au pairs for the past two years.

Like wish I work with a single parent and just do longer hours and the occasional late one or overnight.

pertbootywish, how has it worked out for you with au pairs? I'm thinking of going down this road myself, though from everything I read on here, it sounds like such a gamble as to whether you end up with someone reasonably reliable, or a nightmare who doesn't lift a finger

My boss is a single parent in a job with no flexibility - she has to go away for aprox 2 nights a month and often for 7-14 days every 6-8 weeks. With no family near by and full custody of DC, she relies heavily on me - the nanny.

My boss offers me:
A lot more than the 5.6 weeks a year (as long as I give her notice I can send DC to grandparents if she can't cover then I also get her AL) ALL PAID
Free reign as to what we do/where we go etc
Free time during the week as she sends DC to nursery (when younger 3 mornings at the local nursery 8-1) I work 7.15-5.45 5 days a week.
Opportunity to do career progression am currently studying for a degree 1 day a week.

She also thanks me for my time (most the time!!!), tries to get home early when she can and let me clock off early.

Find the right nanny, treat her right, respect her and it might work - I am here 3 years later and looking at staying on for another 2.5 years (with 1 dc who will be at school soon enough)

I rely on family and disciplined diary management. I took the job on the proviso that I would aim to pick my children up at 4.30, sort them out and then log on in the evening. If I know I am going to be late back I have arranged it in advance. I work one day a week from home and am failing disciplined about making sure it happens. On that day, I drop off at school at normal time and try and pick up at school finishing time.

I had to give up my job when the local out of school club closed down due to cuts. I became a registered child minder. Its not what I had in mind for my career its very rewarding. Definitely not a career for the house proud though :0