Unsocial hours and childminders...

[solo]

I've never employed a CM before but if I'm forced to return to work at the end of January I will need to.
I've looked at some CM's details online just to get an idea about them really, but there have been none at all that mention unsocial hours. My working hours mean that I would need to drop my Dc's off at 05:45 and not collect until around 8pm. Ds is of school age(10)and could probably walk himself to and from school so not so many hours in CM's care for him, but Dd would be all the time as she would only be 2 years old. I also will be working every other weekend, so for example over 2 weeks, I might work M,T,W, off Th&Fr, work SAT,SUN,MON, off Tues/Weds, work Thurs/Fri, off Sat/Sun...
I wouldn't know what to expect with regard to cost either. Can anyone shed some light on this for me please?
Sorry, I hope that all makes sense.

What is it that you do at the Ministry of Justice?

Even if you could find childcare working those hours and that routine will absolutely kill you. You are entitled to ask for fleible working - is this really the best your employers can come up with?

I'm a Prison Officer.
I used to get up at 04:30 and fall into bed at midnight, sometimes half past when my Ds was a little one. It did kill me. I ended up with ME and have never been the same.
I know it will be hard. I know first hand, but I somehow managed and had great support from my parents back then. They can't help me now, they are too old and Dad is terminally ill with cancer, plus they don't live around the corner, they are 8 miles away which isn't far but too far with schools and such.
I worked really hard to get into my job and really don't see myself in Asda's on the checkout for little reward either financial or self worth. I've been in retail before and don't want to go back there.
I will sit and write to work and request more time....what if they say no?
I'm a wreck.

how about a move to the probation service or youth team? Im sure you have loads of great transferable skills.

What about something like escorting prisoners at a local court? Or rehabilitative work with prisoners and their families? Or probation work? It's worth looking to see what you could do locally. You don't have to end up in retailing.

snap moopymoo

Solo, you sound like you need to find a different type of job altogether as it's going to kill you!

God no!!! they are what we call plastic screws! . And they can never be sure what time they will get home. Ex used to be one, so I know first hand!
The thing is, I'm good at my job and I'm not in a position health wise to start retraining as I suffer brain fog and retaining info is nigh on impossible.
The sacrifices we mums make eh?

Ripeberry, it very well might!

Prison Officers are extremely undervalued. I think they'd like it if we didn't have lives outside of work and definitely not have children! they certainly don't make it easy for us.

not being funny but you seem to be putting a lot of obstacles in your own way. it is tough being single parent (ive done it) and it is often so frustrating that it is you that has to make all the compromises as there is noone else to make them. I have no idea what your history is or health problems, but you sound depressed and frustrated.

But Solo, you do know that it does not make sense, all those hours, travelling and having to live on baked beans!
There must be some transferable skills. Why not do Elderly Homecare or something with young dissabled people, you won't have to travel so far so will save on costs and you may be able to work evenings and nights so will only have to pay for a babysitter.
Can't your employers transfer you to an office or workplace nearer your home?
You need to have a really good think about your employment, because if you get ill, who's going to look after the children?
You need to do what's best for your familly and your sanity!
You must have good interpersonal skills, could you not work from home? Telephone work, anything?

I think I am moopy. Lots of other crap in my life atm.
I don't want to return to work just yet. I love being a full time mum doing all the things I couldn't do 10 years ago with Ds. I just need to look at the scenario of what if they wont let me have more time and I have to go back.

I hope you sell your blankets on E-bay! They look great. See you do have lots of other skills

well, you know it sounds like the reality is that if they wont let you have more time off, you have to resign or look down different (plastic ) avenues. Have you thought about some counselling to help you see the woods for the trees? (bangs counselling drum as is counsellor)

I'm not good with change Ripeberry. I often actively avoid it if I'm honest. It takes a massive amount of cpurage for me to change careers. I also doubt that it's a great time to change careers.

When you transfer prisons you have to go through a process of application forms and interviews. They also have to have a place for you. Because I've been a single mum almost throughout my career, I've never been able to go away to do courses that would give me qualifications that would make me a good catch iyswim, so I'd be very lucky to be taken on.

solo if it gives you any hope at all, its something that i would be prepared to do. I am a newly reg cm, and if i am completely honest just want to earn an amount of money to save me gong back to work, if having 2 children for odd hours would pay me the amount i needed then it would be better than being full all the time iykwim. Hang in there and make the calls.
x

oh i should say that doesnt mean i am not going to try my hardest to be a good cm, just that i have no want to be full all the time.
x

Thanks SMM. I hope you get what you want
I think I'm going to try for more time off and if that can't happen, I'll have to then make phone calls etc.

Thank you MrsPickles. That is heartening to know

She may find a childminder that is happy to work round shifts but she has the added complication of finding one that will start at 5.45am AND finish at 8pm (on the same day) AND be happy to work every other weekend.

solo good luck with your request for more time off - you can but ask.

True enough nbee...I can but ask.

Have you not fault of finding a minder than can do overnight care, rather than the early starts?

Or advertise exactly what you want on gumtree and see what comes up in a way of response.

Failing that i think it might be change of job time.

Good Luck.

Frustrating times