crappy interview and childcare

[happycloud8209]

Am coming on here to vent because am upset...

Just had an interview, for a job and company that in a former life would have been my perfect, dream scenario. But as a single mummy everything looks so different.

In the interview, they said I would need to travel internationally no less than twice per month, and for some projects up to 2 weeks away from home. None of which was mentioned by the agency before I prepared for and went to the interview.

I don't mind travel or staying in hotels, but what am I supposed to do with my daughter even if I'm offered this job? Her dad left when I was pregnant and pays maintenance but that's it, he's never even met her. I have one set of semi-alcoholic and completely unreliable grandparents as real last resort, back up childcare, and that's it.

There doesn't seem to BE any childcare that opens outside of standard nursery hours, or overnight (I mean proper childcare, not a babysitter). Is this the same right across the country? Why is this? Do medical professionals, flight attendants and the like not need to cover shifts and overnight trips?

I'm annoyed because most of the couples I know wouldn't face this problem. One of them works away? Fine - the other one does 100% child pick up and drop off and overnight (and then tells me how much work they are doing when I do this every day and have done since she was born).

Am upset because I also think I fluffed the interview through nerves, gave really crappy stupid answers.. but that's besides the point.

To even do the interview I had to pay about £100 for a nursery to look after my daughter so I could prepare and attend. If I do that for every interview I'll be broke before I find a job.

Ok, that probably all sounds really silly and self-indulgent, of course I would have these problems as a lone parent.. just frustrated that's all.. for so many reasons.. venting over..

you would have to get a nanny. if the job is very well paid then it could be worth it - otherwise, look for a different job

basically you need to employ a live at home person who you would trust to stay at home overnight with your child. maybe this job will work when your child is much older ?

Nanny or an extremely flexible childminder. Or job that does not involve travel, sorry.

Au pair?

It might not help much but I had rob turn down a similar sounding job because I couldn't make it work with childcare (and I have a DH) it's not easy, but believe me something will come up which will fit you much better. I had to wait another 12 months after turning down dream position but in glad now.

Weekend and overnight childcare are very rare to find.. I am a childminder simply as I find the childcare too difficult. However I won't work late evenings so my DS gets some mummy time.

One of my closest friends had a live in nanny or au pair whichever you like to call them, as her mum died when she was younger and she became like an auntie to her. Even though we are now grown up she has stayed living near and has her own family which my friend is now god mother to her children.

You could try and ask around the grapevine at school etc. to see if anybody wishes to earn more money and have your child go over and stay at theirs if they are willing to work a shift pattern to support you. They would naturally need to be very reliable. This would be a cheaper option however if they are not OFSTED registered you couldn't claim the cost of the childcare ..... An option at least?

Employing a nanny looks like the only answer. My DF was a LP to me and my sister and had a job that involved travel. His solution was boarding school at a stupidly young age, not an option I would recommend

My nursery offers a wrap around nanny service for shift workers and parents working away from home.

I find out about a job today that would have me working away from home. Some of me wants to not get it so I don't have a very difficult decision to make!