FT work and 3 kids (one baby) is it possible?

[Bumblebee39]

Just what the title says really
Is it possible to work FT with 3 kids (6, 2, 5m)
Looking at childcare and am going to need them in from roughly 7.30am to 6pm
There are places that facilitate this but is it actually doable or am I setting myself up to fail?

I have three 7,6 and 3. I work three days a week. I wouldn't be able to cope working full time and run a house, take the kids to activities etc. But if you really need to you can make it work. You will just need to be very organised.

This is the thing. I just can't see ever having time to do anything at the weekend other than rest and housework

Do your children go to their fathers?

@rainflowerstar he is not involved in any way financially, practically, emotionally etc

In that case I don't think you working full time would be the best option for you and the kids. If you work part time universal credit or tax credits will top up your income.

@rainflowerstar I just did the benefits calculator and the difference between me working FT and not at all once childcare has been factored in is negligible (once I've included travel costs it's actually negative )
I was kind of thinking that with all this vitriol aimed at unemployed single parents and all the talk of "making work pay" that there was no way I could make us worse off sitting on my bum (even if I somehow managed to get a better job the pay doesn't make much difference)
Going to do it for PT now
And then go to the shop to spend my last bit of cash on some scratch cards and lottery tickets

Haha fingers crossed you'll pick a winner.

It's possible, I did it. It could be very bad for your mental health though, my life has felt like a hideous slog at times. I wouldn't recommend it. PT would be a good compromise.
Good luck with the lottery.

Would a nanny be an option or failing that, an amazing childminder?

I kind of think that having three kids and doing it solo is a full time job so perhaps don't be too hard on yourself. Maybe you could look at more flexible ways of earning money around the kids?

If I had picked a winner I wouldn't be a single parent in the first place

No room for anyone live in (short on space as it is)

Yes it is a FT job as far as I'm concerned but doesn't pay the bills

I think I have found a way to go PT
Phew

I have 3 children (youngest is 1) and. work fulltime. I won't lie, it's exhausting at times but it just becomes your norm and you work out ways to organise your time.

I'm worse off financially, but I am building a career and in a few years I will be earning a decent salary and no longer need to rely on tax credits to prop up my income.

I hope you get the part time job you posted about, but if not, ft work is definately doable.

@custardcream1000 I can't afford to FT because of childcare costs

Its such a headache trying to work all the finances out and childcare costs are astronomical. I remember the stress of looking at all my options and calculating everything out to the penny to see which option was best. It's such an overwhelming feeling knowing 3 little people are solely responsible on you and no option seems ideal.

I didn't think I would get much help with childcare, but I was about to claim about 60% of my childcare costs through tax credits, which has enabled me to work. There's no way I would have been able to work without this.

Whether you choose to go PT or FT definately see if you are eligible as it can make a substantial difference to your income.

I really hope you find a job that will work around your family x

@custardcream1000

There is a cap on childcare with universal credit and also a cap on it full stop. I would hit both caps being FT but neither of them being PT
When DC2 is eligible for the 3 year funding, it goes back the other way and FT is better.

I did get thoroughly confused by the maths but whatever way I've worked it out or eligibility calculator has that is my best option.