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?

why shouldn't they? Most married parents i know have to work and a high proportion do it once the child reaches 1 and their materinity leave runs out.

Dreamteam - ok not tied - but a group of 5-8yr old children in the park holding onto ropes.

Funnily enough even my DS's nursery has managed trip to the local park without having to rely on a rope.

I believe it has been reported to Ofsted and is being looked into, but the overall standard isn't great

And they frequently "forget" to pick children up from the infant school (and this I KNOW is fact as I've seen workers coming back across the park to pick up left behind children when I've been in the playground still chatting)

Off the topic but if you are who I now think you are Mollie (read the free paper this morning)- how horrible & I don't blame you for not wanting to get on the tube.

Sorry nutcracker I mis read, although for most working parents making either would be a luxury. I have never been to one sports day, one play, one pick up or drop off etc.

Kind of missing the point there dreamingofsun. As has already been said, there are certain restrictions that single parents have when looking for work, that married ones don't.

Vespeian - are you a teacher? If not why don't you use leave to go to one sports day or Xmas play?

"I'm guessing shopping, gardening, cooking, cleaning, Reading at school, voluntary work, preschool committee etc etc" - sounds nice, I wish I had one day/week to do that.

Well some like it, others find it soul destroying....

I've never been to school play, sports event, concert or done a pick up before or after school ever for either of my kids. I'm a teacher and have to work so no choice in this. Amazing luxery to do any of these things.

Is it really a luxury? I just thought it's one of those things that goes with being a mum. I know people can't make all of these things but to never make any is a bit sad. But at least you don't need childcare in the holidays so it's swings and roundabouts

original -what restrictions? surely they have to pay for childcare like anyone else?

Depends if you can afford to work or not I guess. I dont have the luxury of having a big inheritance or rich husband so have to go to work. I guess I could stay at home and go to these things and claim benefit but I am fit and healthy and able to work.

bigchris why should the state pay benefits to allow mums to go to sports days and not work?

The hours they can work dreamingofsun. Have you read the thread ??

How can a single parent work evenings or weekends ???

I feel sad for the lone parents who are being forced into this. I was fortunate enough to receive IS while DD was at school and it meant I could better myself by studying, volunteering at his school, dealing with housework/admin and caring for my elderly relatives. I wasn't 'sitting at home', I always kept myself busy.

It meant that the time I spent with her at the end of the day was more quality time and she was able to attend more interesting after-school activities instead of just the things offered at her school. It was a great experience for her, she loved the clubs that I took her to and I wouldn't have been able to if I'd been at work.

I do wonder what's going to become of the Big Society and the idea of free schools when there are so many parents being forced into work. They expect people to pick up the slack of public sector cuts through voluntary organisations and parents running schools, but most parents won't have time for this if they're working all day.

The older your children get the more they'll start doing evening performances and then you'll get to go
large inheritance or rich husband ? I think you're on the wrong thread

I am sure they do bigchris, I work 5 days a week as I cannot afford to stay at home with my toddler so I sure would appreciate a day of shopping, reading, gardening etc

But I do all the shopping, gardening, cleaning, cooking etc and work full time. I can't do the PTA as they meet in the evenings and I'd have to pay a babysitter to attend. Attending the PTA really isn't a reason not to work at all, is it?

restrictions such as working hours - pre 7.30am, post 7pm, over night, weekends are generally out of the question unless you have good family/friend support ,

original - confess i haven't read it all as i'm taking a 5 min break from work and don't have time. surely they would have to find a job during the day if they can't get childcare in the evenings.

maybe those jobs taken by 2 parent families should be shuffled around to ensure there are school hours for the one parent families then?? just a thought....

Should add I'm now watching Diagnosis Murder so my day has improved. I did see a bit of Jeremy Kyle once when our office receptionist accidentally changed channels on the reception tv from BBC News to whatever channel JK is on! Not sure what the various visitors thought.

maybe that will be the governments next move......obviously not talking about the 9-5 type jobs

Ds is now nearly 15 so I have been able to go to evening things. THe sense of entitlement is shocking in this country.
It would be far better that the money goes to people who are unable to work because of disability or caring for someone with a disability than those who are perfectle able to work but choose not to because they dont like the idea of using childcare very much.

I didn't say it was mollieo - I was just answering your question regarding what sahp's do all day. You sounded baffled as to how they can fill their time