Single parents - how are you going to cope?

[duckduckdog]

I could cry.

Work full time 40+ miles from home. One DS with SEN who we don't yet have an ECHP for.

My workplace is classing itself as an essential service and office remains open.

Here to offer support and solidarity to other single working parents, and open to any advice.

It's so worrying isn't it? I started a thread the other day as I was looking at having to leave ds 11 home alone as my usual childcare, his grandparents are high risk and self isolating. My workplace is also an essential service. However I'm part time and home by 4 and my boss is letting me take my toil at an hour a day so I get home earlier. My next door neighbour called today to say she is working from home for next 3 months so will be around then this afternoon I got a call from ds's friends mum who lives across the road to say she is working from home and happy to have ds. I am so so thankful for my little support network. I can't imagine how stressed you must be OP, I hope you find a solution .

My understanding is that schools will be accepting children of parents who work in 'essential services' (not sure if that has been entirely defined yet). I think you will have to either do this, and if it's not accepted by the school you'll have to tell work that you can't come in.

I'm going to be told anyway now my job has gone. Haven't a clue what I am going to do. All I can see is that I would have to claim job seekers allowance.. great idea .. but even if they find me a job I can't take it as I can't get childcare, which means I wouldn't meet the criteria for JSA ?!?

My school sent an email this afternoon asking for information of parents who worked in the following areas who may need access to some kind of childcare provision should schools close:
NHS
Police
Ambulance Service
Fire and Rescue
Adult and Children's Social Care

They said they'd been asked by the local authority for this information.

However, the education secretary this afternoon also included delivery drivers as 'key workers' so I don't think my LA's 'priority' list is full and final.

There will be many that fall into the 'key worker' group in this circumstance who are not part of the emergency services - the country still needs, food, water, electricity and other fuel to mention but a few.