Lone parent - recent change of circumstance, kids’ dad moved out 6 weeks ago. He’s a bus driver so key worker who can’t wfh or “help out” with childcare/homeschooling. Does various unsociable shifts so doesn’t have a set schedule when he has the kids. I work for a university in a job that is critical to the covid response, so critical worker under the new list. But I work from home.
Kids 5 and 2. Have taken a key worker space for eldest in y1. But I keep reading that key workers wfh who aren’t social workers etc need to keep kids at home. Comments from other parents at school gates cos I’m not in work uniform!! Youngest in preschool but part time only so often have to juggle work around him when he’s at home. Now there is talk about shutting preschools. I can’t do all the hours my job requires if I had both of them at home full time. As it is, I work every evening when kids are in bed. Last night it was until midnight. I’d have to take unpaid leave which I can’t afford. I have a support bubble with my mum who picks the kids up a couple of days a week so I get more hours in. But she is in her 70s so wouldn’t be able to look after them both for a long length of time. I am considering telling her not to help me anymore because of the covid risk to her.
I know we all have to pull together. But how much am I supposed to sacrifice. We already lost half our family income when kids dad moved out. Am I expected to lose my income too. I don’t know what to do for the best