is it possible to be a lone parent and work full time?

[juicychops]

i curently work part time which fits in well around school start and finishing times, flexi hours during school hols etc

i have found the most perfect full time job that i am going to apply for (as i have nothing to loose applying) if i got this job it would be my first step on my perfect career path so i feel its an opportunity i cant pass up.

however...

firstly, how do i cope with after school care and most importantly school hol care? is it actually do-able and affordable for a single parent? im not sure what the hours for this job are yet but at a guess i would say i may need about 2 hours after school care per day and then holidays

secondly, will my ds be ok? he's 5 and very easy going - gets on with most things and im sure would be fine seeing me less in the short term. however, is it selfish considering working full time when he's so young? will he suffer? i would miss him like crazy in the after school times, but the way i see it is i would probably make more of an effort when i do see him rather than now where i just let him play with his toys in the evening then half wish his bed time to get here so that i can relax (as horrible as that sounds]

ive been studying towards this career path for 5 years now with one more year to go. i would love to come off benefits and support myself full time. but i dont know what the long term affects for this choice will be.

someone please help me. i probably wont even get this job but im trying to plan as though i will so that i have covered myself. i realise that i prob wont be much better off financially than i am now getting partial benefits but i would just love the freedom of not having to declare every single penny i earn and getting to keep an xmas bonus or a pay rise rather than having to loose it

he will be fine - have a look at after school clubs and holiday playschemes see if the hours fit in with your work hours.

or if you would need childminder etc.

it si agreat chance for you - take it! se eif you can also have enough to employ a cleaner as well. even once a fortnight for ironing, proper clean etc . so weekends will be with him rather than cleaning etc.
online shopping is a life saver too

thanks cestlavielife for replying. and good idea about the shopping! the cleaning part will prob be ok as i rarely iron anything and only chuck the hoover around each night quickly, but i feel a bit more reassured now.

ive just done a quick housing benefit calculation based on the minimum wage i could accept and because the childcare costs would be so high averaged out throughout the year i would still get reasonable housing benefit.- thats assuming the calculator i used was correct!!

Work out your finances and also exactly how you think your childcare arrangements will work. This is always the big challenge for lone parents. Then if you still feel happy with what you see and you really want the job go for it! But prepare to be knackered

Yes completely do able. I am a lone parent (although admittedly their Dad will take some time off over the long summer holidays and GPs do help during holidays I rely totally on after school/breakfast club and holiday clubs. Yes it was tight financially but tax credits were a life saver although now earn too much for anything more than the basic.

Also I think personal attitude helps a hell of a lot. I would like to think that I am good at my job and 'go the extra mile'. Consequently, except for one notable exception, bosses have always been flexiable and understanding if I needed to come in a bit later, leave a bit earlier etc etc. I manage people now and the only issues I have with staff, lone parents or otherwise, is the ones who do all the taking but don't give anything back.

I agree with GoldenTomato.

Yes it can be done. No its not easy. You will need a job which can be a bit flexible when necessary but that also means you have to be too. As GT says, it cuts both ways. My boss doesn't mind if I take a few hours off to see the kids at a school play and I don't moan if I have to travel on a weekend for example to get to a meeting.

Homelife wise then its all a juggling act. Yes you will get less time to spend with DS but hopefully with more income coming in now and even more as your career grows (isn't that the plan?) then as a long term choice its the way to go.

If you have the opportunity, its better to work hard now when your child is young and reap the rewards when you are older cos god knows, kids get more expensive as they grow!

thanks everyone for all your replies you have all really put my mind at ease.

i know it will be difficult but im prepared for the hard work (and yes, the plan is that my career will grow from this starting point)

i may not even get the job... or even an interview but ive been considering working part time for a while and it just so happens that the perfect job has come up so need an action plan in place