Lone parent and no childcare.

[OrangeBlossom3]

I'm a lone parent who is able to work from home but part of my job involves making phone calls and recording these for around an hour at a time. All other computer work I could do or when my DD is in bed. However she is only 2.5 so I can't rely on her to safely be quiet while I'm on the phone. Also I'd need to keep her entertained and not in front of tv all day every day.

She usually goes to my DM (60) 2 days so Ive now stopped this, and nursery 3 days which closed last Friday.

I am not a key worker. I live in shared ownership and not clear on if I could get help with rent side? My employers have said if need to take unpaid leave if I cannot work.

I'm just very worried about what is the right thing to do. Would I be entitled to claim anything?

Thank you

Skype to grandma in another room? She can read stories and show her things.

My DD has no interest in skype or FaceTime. We try to use it anyway with family abroad but she just won't entertain the idea.

You just have to explain. People will understand.

I feel your pain about those suggestions with skype or facetime. My parents are overseas and my children never wanted a conversation on skype at all. I don't know what to say other than give you a virtual hug.

Explain to who? What I need to find out mainly is can I claim any money from anywhere if I can't work? It will be impossible to make phone calls with her in the house as she tries to take the phone off me or wants a cuddle and just talks to me!

@NotGenerationAlpha thank you

Who are the calls to?

put her in front if the tv or on the ipad for the hour you need to make the phone call. Apologise at the begining of the phone call and say they may be able to hear her.

Students

So you just say you're sorry but there's a good chance your DD will be in the calls and there's nothing else you can do.

I think this is one of the situations people won’t say sort out your childcare. You can only do your best at the moment

Can you change the time of your calls to when she is in bed?

I've been starting calls to clients by saying sorry if my children interrupt, I'm working from home. They get it.

Just explain to the students - people will understand

Just want to give you a virtual hug as it is a lot harder than many are making out when you have bills to pay. I am NHS staff and fully get that this is national emergency and the norm does not apply but all employers are far from understanding of this.

Completely understand how difficult it is and we are using emergency childcare for this reason. We are both keyworkers - DH can work from home but not a chance he can function with 18 month and 3yr old and he needs to make his calls. They do exactly same as your DD and will interrupt, shout, fight etc the entire duration of call. No they won't sit in front of TV and yes calls have to be taken during the day, not once children are in bed. I am front line NHS so can't help at home on my working days. Just extremely fortunate that our childminder only has my 2 and one other family to look after so risk is minimised as much as possible.

Thank you for replies. I guess I will just have to try that out and see what happens. I just worry that the teaching will not be productive if I can't give my full attention and the student will not achieve what they should. All I can do is try.
I'm so anxious I can't stop crying about it all.

This week is hell already. I'm seriously considering giving up work but I don't know what my rights are.
The things that were previously working to keep her attention are now not. She's very restless and starting to get quite grumpy. She's lashing out because I think she's so fed up. My mental health is getting really bad. I'm in tears a lot. I can't concentrate. I feel like she's not getting what she needs. I can't keep putting her through this.
Most of my company have been put on furlough but not my team.
Does anyone know what rights I have if I literally cannot work any longer? I'm so concerned about my mental well being which I was doing group therapy for before the COVID situation.
I have a mortgage to pay. I've only just moved in 6 months ago.
I've tried looking online but advice is not clear.

It's not ideal, OP, but can your DM not take her for a few hours whilst you work? Your DC is not at nursery and you are not at work so must be low risk in terms of contracting it.

She probably could but I don't think she would, or if she did it wouldn't work long term. I already am being made to feel like I'm being unreasonable to ask and I feel like I'm taking the piss by doing so.
I really don't know but thank you for replying.

How well do you get on with the others in your house share? Could they assist?

Could your DM come and take her out for an hour in her buggy? I’d do that rather than lose your income.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz
Shared ownership isn’t a house share, it’s a way to buy a house 🤣

Ah ok.

You would get help with rent via UC and a bit more above that but I don't know if you'd get enough to cover mortgage and bills as well as rent.
Can work furlough you due to childcare?

I’m really sorry. I’ve been in this situation and know how tough it is. Would your employer furlough you so you get 80%? Could you reduce your hours so you are doing (more) part time?