Lone parents expected to seek work when kids are 5?

[champagnesupernova]

Just catching up on yesterday's news and saw this and was surprised there wasn't anything about this on here already

What do you think?

Exactly Chris.

As it is now, I have to wake mine at 6:15 and we are out of the door by 6:50. They hate and I hate it, and the only reason I do it, is because I know that I can finnish in time to collect them from school at hometime.

Personally, I would never take a job where I couldn't do either drop off or pick up, but that's just me, and I am aware that this would be frowned on, but my child's life is more important to me than anyone's opinion of my 'choices'.

I didn't say that they should ignore them leandro, but it hardley makes sense to put the most pressure on single parents, than single, childless people does it ??

Xp has been on JSA for 5yrs now and hasn't been put under even a tiny bit of pressure to get a job.

Nutcracker, no, I'm not a single parent anymore, but I was when my youngest started school. The fact that I was single made me want to work even more tbh, it was something I could do for myself without needing anything from anyone else. I wanted that bit of independance after being in a crap relationship and nobody except Mummy for so long. I realise I was lucky to find a job so easily at the time, which then supported me in getting the qualifications I need. But there are some jobs like that out there. Nobody is going to lose benefit if they just make the effort to find some work that fits in during school hours. If they get work, great, they are not completely reliant on benefit, the children grow up with a work ethic and the parent gets to feel a bit better about themselves. If they don't find a job, then at least nobody can say they haven't tried.

I don't see the problem.

I think that's a good balance nutty because they get to chill out at home after school and you've got plenty if time to cook , do baths etc
being out from 7 til 7 sounds souldestroying to me, not being at home for five hours while the kids are at school

That is not the real world though is is nutcracker. Most of us would love to be able to do the pick up and drop off. My husband actually does do this but it has taken years of hard work to get there.

Business opportunities take money to set up -

and I know (having done a stint in childcare work) that I am not someone you want caring for your child all day.

I'm not a shite parent, but really am NOT a childcare person - I get through the days with my own DS's and occasionaly manage to do something vaguely interesting with 'em -but looking after other peoples children at the more stressful times of the day (after school/early evening) - ooooo no.
Even "playdates" fill be with fear and trepidation - (though I would never tie the younger children to a rope to take them to the park )

I have to say I have worked full time since DS was 6 months old, so I tend to agree, why should I work, when others can sit around doing nothing...

It only says you have to LOOK for suitable school hour work, and why the hell shouldn't you? I dont see what wrap round has to do with it.

Great for those people who dont want their kids to be in breakfast club/after school club/childminders before and after school. I couldnt pay the mortgage, give my kids food etc without using them. At least it means I can pay taxes so those people can stay at home whilst their kids are in school.

I do agree with most of what you are saying curlymama, but as I said, it cannot be a one size fit's all solution.

There is a huge amount of luck involved.

In an ideal world I'd love to do the school run at a more usual time but the fact is I'm a single parent and don't have that choice. Of course others are free to do that but I really don't see why the state should be funding it.

Oh and tied to rope?
Really?

I dont think so, although asking a group of children to hold onto a piece of rope or string whilst you walk is a very practical way of moving groups of kids, and I have seen it done in Europe on loads of occasions. Its just a crocodile with some focus

I said one or the other vespian, not both.

Lots of x posts.

This,

''He strolls into the jobcentre once a fortnight, has a chat with the person behind the desk, tells them he has applied for stuff and not heard back, and strolls out again''.

is the only problem I can see. Hopefully this government will sort this one out.

Me too, curlymama, but I won't hold my breath.

The Government has to stop the current situation where benefits are a lifestyle choice for some people (some of which are single parents), this is unaffordable given the fiscal situation so the Government is going after people on benefits. Why shouldn't single parents look for work, they are not proposing to force people into jobs whose hours make it impossible to care for their children.

rainbow - my thoughts exactly. [hgrin]

I'm still waiting to discover what those with school age children who don't work actually do all day.

I'm at home today - working from home so checking my emails. I had to give evidence at the 7/7 inquest yesterday and I couldn't face the commute today, especially having discovered my photo and testimony are in the free paper. [ghmm]. I'm watching day time tv and bored out of my brain (ds is at grandma's for a half term treat).

You don't have to find work with an employer, you can go self-employed as well - which would include ebaying, Avon etc. Many mums around here do the minimum 16 hours which fits in with school and use tax credits to top up.

You have no idea how hard it is to "prove" you are doing this, I have had no tax credit payments whilst running up nursery bills for the past 13 weeks because of this and still it isn't resolved :(

They are not going after all people on benefits though. From what I have read they are only going after single parents and people claiming Incapacity benefit.

that should have been a [hhmm]

Nutcracker they are going after all benefit claimants.

I think it's possibly easier if you only have one or two children that require out of school care.

That's why I'm "discounting" DS1 from my childcare hunt, he'll just have to fend for himself (and maybe do a spot of housework for me while I'm out at work ).

When I was looking at the possibility of continuing my night shift job as a single parent a few years ago I did find one childminders that did night minding. But she could only take 2 children, and I was already pregnant with my 3rd). She's not even running as a childminder anymore

I've looked into childcare several times in recent years and it really is diabolical if you don't work during "normal" working times.

The only people I know who have been able to work early morning/evening/night/weekend work have either had a partner, or had family close by to help out if they were single parents.

I have seen no evidence of this Leandro !! Whereas the changes made to single parents have been harped on about for a good year or more now.

I agree, I thought i was going to have to post DS up to Newcastle in person just to get CB out of them earlier this year.

Mollieo - it's not all day, it's school hour days
and I'm guessing shopping, gardening, cooking, cleaning, Reading at school, voluntary work, preschool committee etc etc
it's not watching jeremy Kyle

how are those on jobseekers going to be affected then?