Finding a job, with no money for childcare.

[Rbkh]

I’ll be honest I’m getting sick of people slagging mums off who are on benefits. Fair enough parents who purposely keep popping them out just for benefits I can understand people getting annoyed at, but this wasn’t exactly a plan in my life. I assumed I’d be with my other half forever but I’m not. My little girl is nearly 2 and I’m trying to find a job that will actually afford childcare! I’d only be able to work in retail as unfortunately I’m not very academic so I wouldn’t ever be able to get a high paying job like I’d really love. It’s then finding more money to pay for half terms as my parents work and I don’t have anyone to look after her then. Honestly I don’t know how you working single parents are doing it and props to you all! I just cannot find a job in my area at the minute though that will give me enough to pay for childcare and living in general without having to work and never see my daughter which I know a lot of parents do obviously it’s just not fair. I’d love some advice, tips etc on how you all make it work as I’m feeling pretty crap, added to the fact that a lot of people think mums on benefit are worthless :/ x

similar situation for me. Gave up my job whilst pregnant (v.Ill, rubbish boss, ex pressure). Ex turned out to be a violent lunatic. Now alone, child nearly two with no help from anyone. I have no one to leave her with to go for interviews so it's pointless even looking until free childcare kicks in. And then what do you say, sorry can't interview on Wednesday, it's not her day at nursery?? It'd be funny, if it wasn't actually my life. Irony is I have a degree. Sorry that's no help!! Just know you're not alone. Also it's not forever, so don't bother feeling bad about it. I'm grateful for the time with my little one, early years are crucial. Government will have me working until I'm 70 odd anyway so what do three or four years out matter??

I think you are going to have to widen your search outside if retail. Most retail requires at least Saturdays.

Have you looked at wtc? It should help pay towards childcare

Have you thought about being a childminder or nanny?

Lone parents aren’t worthless, the single mums I know are dedicated & hardworking, including me.

Agree with pps, why only retail, the hours are a killer & retail is on its knees so not a good hunting ground.
Your dd must be eligible for free childcare soon which will give you 30 hours plus you’ll get 20% tax relief off the rest so that should help.
Take a close look at all the companies within 10 min travel. And find a cm close to where you find a job, so the hours you need are minimised.
What are you good at? People? Or numbers? Or creativity? Or hospitality? Retail may be down but hotels are doing well. Are you good with people?
While you are unemployed, retraining is free. What does your local college offer? Unemployment is a chance to retrain. It might be better to get a qualification now, so you get better pay going forward. You could train in hotel management or HR or as a dental nurse, lots of things. Most colleges have childcare, & very few courses have more than 30 hours teaching time in a week so that could work well.
Don’t worry about other people. I got sneered at because I’m a single mum and I work all hours. Some people are just nasty.

Hi sorry for the late reply it’s been a manic weekend. I’ve opted for retail as it’s something I know, I’m not academic at all and did terrible on my basic GCSEs so it massively knocked my confidence, I am looking into resisting my maths and English though as I want to get a better grade and then hopefully after sitting those I can find a course that I do like. I worked in childcare a few years ago and honestly it really wasn’t for me at all that’s definitely not a career path I would ever enjoy again. I think I’m scared to try new things as I’ve always been so bad academically and struggled so badly at school that I think it’s followed me into adulthood of always thinking I’m going to fail. I’m hoping if I do managed to get to resit my gcse courses that it will give me a huge boost in confidence. I lost all confidence during my previous relationship and struggled so bad with anxiety and depression. Im only starting to finally start doing things without my mum being by my side again, pathetic sounding I know but I just couldn’t leave the house without someone by my side for the last 3 years. I’m hoping to find a weekend job to boost my confidence in being around people again and then slowly going from there to working full time x

There are lots of schemes now that support lone parents in returning to education. For those who are on low income, childcare is provided free, you just need to do some research.

It does pay to study. And although you May start off in a low paid job, tax credits will subside your childcare whilst you gain experience in a role. Trust me, I've been there. I started in a very low paid clerical job in the NHS, studying part time, as a single parent. This was 10 years ago. I'm now a Chief Exec. I had to work full time, study at home, put the graft in, and missed precious time with my kids. But it was all worthwhile in the end.

So my advice would be speak to a careers advisor at your local college. Believe in yourself, you might not have been an academic back then, but who's to say you're not now? Be realistic, be hardworking, and don't give up. Good luck.