Any lone parents working full time?

[fairytaleoflondontown]

Hi MN
I'm a single mum to DD age 4. She's just started at school & I was made redundant in June. I've always worked 25 hrs PW giving me time to clean the house/exercise/'me time' as very inconsistent support from ex and no family nearby.
Have struggled to find a job I wanted but have been offered one after a very long interview. The post is Full time
Currently trying to work out the before & after school logistics of childcare...
Feel really anxious about juggling everything and don't want to spend weekends cleaning etx!
Any other single parents out there who just 'make it happen'?
Any top tips or words of advice / support would be most welcome!

It may take a week or two to get used to the extra work.

I honestly found it easier to go from 24 to 37, as there wasn't any late mornings or rest times, after which I would have to drag myself in to work.

You may be pleasantly surprised.

I don't have a cleaner, but like PP said try and do it in the eves.
Also, I have to let things slide.
My eldest's bedroom is a sty.

I am considering changing jobs and my new position will be a 3 hour round trip each day. I work from home FT now and do long hours and have DC 8 and 10. I have thought long and hard about it and think that the commute will actually be better for balance as it will give me time for me- I might actually read a book or the Sunday papers.

Another LP working full time here. I do a 45 hour week.

My STBEXH takes DS every other weekend. I use that time to do a huge shop, stock up the freezer and make soups and meals for the evenings and blitz a few rooms.

Use your lunch hour in work to online shop if you can. You could also go out for a run/gym or swim a few times in the lunch hour If possible? I also pop out if I can for a wax, treatment, haircut if desperate.

I get up at 6am, hang out the washing, put in another load and shower etc I have a robovac that I put on and leave to run before work. I empty the dishwasher from the previous evening while DS eats breakfast.

Clothes ready the night before is a timesaver indeed.

I use the train journey to answer emails and do some organisation. Google calendar is a godsend for activity reminders etc

Keep a couple of loaves and some milk in the freezer. You always realise you’ve run out at 9pm at night!

I watch Netflix whilst ironing in the evening. And if I watch TV I get up in every commercial break to do something. It’s stealth tidying.

And he kind to yourself. That’s the most important thing.

The brilliant posts just keep on rolling! Waiting for DBS so haven't started yet but thank you for all the tips & positivity 💜

Wish I could afford a cleaner... Watching this thread with interest as I'm not coping. Don't get your dd into too many after school clubs would be my tip. Alas for me mine were already in several activities I could not make them give up. Also get her to help with tidying even just a little.

Full time working single mum here.

I am fortunate in the financial respect in my career so I throw money at a lot of the problems like cleaning and childcare. (Really do get a cleaner if you can)

That said routine is important as is not caring about the little things like is the ironing pile too high. Who cares as long as she and you have something to wear.

Do try and find a weekend club, my dd does stage coach and i really need that bit of me time at the weekends. I usually go for a swim and a coffee.