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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

Woould you go back to work even if it made you no better off ??

56 replies

nutcracker · 21/05/2006 16:33

Have seen a job i'd love to apply for, Health care assistant in the child assesment centre at the local hospital, 20 hours a week.

Thing is, I have a feeling that once childcare is taken into account i'd probably only be as well off as I am now. Now at the mo the thought of that doesn't bother me as I feel like I need to do something before I go nuts, but would I feel like that after a hard day at work when I still couldn't afford a take away ??

Any opinion gratefully recieved.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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vitomum · 21/05/2006 18:48

personally i would work without it making me better off. I think the key things to consider are: do you enjoy the work, are there non financial benefits (the in work training for example is worth a lot), will you still have enough time at home (as you will be starting at 20 hours a week then hopefully yes). Good luck with what you decide to do.

FrayedKnot · 21/05/2006 18:55

I think you've hit the nail on the head Nutty, you won;t know if it's right for you until you try it.

My circs are very different to yours but I've recently started work after 2 years at home (20 hours / week). We have moved since I had DS and I was feeling very isolated and knew no-one in the area at all.

After childcare & increased travel etc I hardly clear anything at all, but it has made me feel so much better in several ways.

In teh long term I know childcare costs will come down and I'm hoping for payrises (I am earning less than before I had DS).

In the short term the benefits have been major increase to my self esteem, improvement in my relationship with DS, brand new shiny social life, some time each week to be a grown up and use my brain, meeting people who might one day become friends...

Can't think of anything bad about, really.

singledadofthree · 21/05/2006 19:19

have to tell you to give it a go. have been doing the same, part time, since youngest was in full time school. now work near enough full time but aren't really much better off as i'm still hanging on to IS for a bit longer. mainly because there is no help in hols or when kids need me in school time - work for myself and so can come and go as i please.
is in a way a self esteem thing, as couldnt just stay home and do nothing, altho i do mainly manual stuff gardening/decorating and such like.
also mix in some unpaid and voluntary stuff when there's time - again mostly menial stuff - as i found 'new deal' to be a non starter.
hope all goes well, sure you'll figure a way to make it work.

Original poster

nutcracker · 21/05/2006 19:54

I wouldn't be entitled to IS still though would I ? Just CTC and WTC with childcare.

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Original poster

nutcracker · 21/05/2006 19:56

No I wouldn't just checked, didn't think so.

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singledadofthree · 21/05/2006 20:05

no, dont suppose you would. have been on it for a long time and have an old arrangement because of unpaid voluntary stuff - it will stop soon tho as i'll have to go back full time proper soon

moondog · 21/05/2006 20:08

I think it would do yuo good Nutty.
I don't need to work but will go back (after three years off) and am looking forward to it very much.

morningpaper · 21/05/2006 20:09

I work part-time and it just covers the childcare most months.

But I enjoy it, and it means I won't have to be in a blind panic in 10 years because no one will employ me because I've been out of the market for too long, and also I think that a couple of days nursery care is pretty good for the Smallies.

So, yes. :)

Original poster

nutcracker · 21/05/2006 20:12

Oh forgot to mention also that I would get to wear a most attractive mint green uniform, so obviously another advantage

Just trying to work out what happens about childcare costs for school hols as obviously mine would be alot more for then.

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HappyMumof2 · 21/05/2006 20:16

it would be covered by CTC wouldn't it?

littlerach · 21/05/2006 20:18

I'd certainly give it a go if you won't be any worse off.

I think it'd be good for you to get out there and do something other than be with your kids, int he nicest possible way .

And you may meet a nice young doctor too

Original poster

nutcracker · 21/05/2006 20:18

Not sure tbh, cos it wouldn't be that much all year.
I'd be paying one amount for term time and another for holidays.

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littlerach · 21/05/2006 20:19

WRT holidays, you may find that you cvan juggle shifts/take hloiday/etc.

Good luck

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 21/05/2006 20:25

I work for k'all after childcare - if you like the sound of the job I'd definitely go for it. In the longer term your child-care costs may go down - also if you are actually in a job when all of them get to the f-t school stage then you;re in a better position to negotiate something that fits around school. if you wait until they're in f-t school before looking for something it may well be harder. Another thing is the possibility of moving into somtheing with better pay. Also, for me, perhaps ironically, working for very little money actually has the effect of making you feel in control - you know that you can decide to walk away and it will be no skin off your nose - they need you more than you need them - so when the job pisses you off (and they all do sometimes)you can say to yourself, that's ok. I'm doing this coz I choose to, not because I have to.

puff · 21/05/2006 21:07

A friend of my sister did pretty much what you are thinking about and then used it to move on to nursing. She's been a fully qualified nurse for a couple of years now.

moondog · 21/05/2006 21:19

As opposed to unqualified one eh Puff??
Sorry,can't resist,love the self importance of people announcing they are a 'professional' and/or 'fully qualified' XY or Z.

puff · 21/05/2006 23:26

Well, I wouldn't apply the label "fully qualified teacher" to myself , but she had a struggle to get through her training (fiance killed in the middle of it) so I do remember her saying she couldn't believe she was finally fully qualified (think she had to defer a year).

Tortington · 22/05/2006 12:31

nutty, i read this but didn't post yesterday. i think if your being driven insane at home its probably the best option - there is no value you can put on self esteem - feeling like your aiming for something, doing something good, aiming for a promoion.

thent here is the value you can put on things like a pension.

me23 · 22/05/2006 12:49

Hi nutcraker, keep us posted on what happens!

Original poster

nutcracker · 22/05/2006 13:25

Have requested an application form and also rang to query the hours and they are ringing me back later

Will definatly need help with the form i think.

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Tortington · 22/05/2006 13:47

we will help you cos we love you

Tortington · 22/05/2006 13:47

platonically

MissChief · 22/05/2006 13:51

NHS is crying out for nurses/HCAs etc so yr local trust should be able to offer you childcare vouchers (save you an additional 10% off yr childcare by saving on yr national insurance contributions) also should have flexible working policy - so ask for what you want hrs-wise and you should get it if you're nice but pushy!

Original poster

nutcracker · 22/05/2006 13:58

Awww thakns Custy

I can be quite flexible to a certain degree on the hours, so hopefully we'd be able to agree on something suitable. My mum works as a HCA in the same hospital so hopefully she will be able to give me some good interview tips etc as to what they are looking for (if i get that far).

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Original poster

nutcracker · 22/05/2006 14:01

The ward sister just rang me back about the hours. She said she doesn't really know much about what hours they are looking for as the ward manager is away, but she didn't think it would be before 9am which is ok with me.

So just have to wait for the form now

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