Can I do it all?

[BrowneyedBaker]

I'm a single mother to a 3 almost 4 year old. Her father ran off when she was 10 month's old and its been just us since then. I've been juggling a job and study along with childcare since then and I went down to 30 hours a week to try and help the work life balance. I've now been offered the possibility of a promotion however it would mean returning to full time hours. I'm just wondering if anyone manages to successful juggle these things along with a personal life? Part of me thinks it'll be too much but at the same time the promotion will add mu h needed funds. I'm currently drowning in debt and I'm desperate to get on the straight and narrow. Any advice would be much appreciated

I’m a single parent to a 3 year old. I was working part time until a year ago which I preferred because of the extra time with my child but struggled for money, and then I got made redundant and had to take a full time role. I stressed over it for weeks until after I started, because I worried how it would impact my child and me, and our bond… but honestly it’s been the best thing for us. My child has a well balanced life in a childcare setting that they love, I’m enjoying having additional financial freedom and independence with potential for career progression and that gives me so much pride. I do what I do for us both, and it works.
It’s not always easy, but it was the right decision.
You have to do what’s best for you and your child in the long term, and don’t have regrets for wanting more financial freedom, it’s to better your life and that’s what we do as good parents.
I know there are some personal sacrifices in a decision like this, but there’s also a lot to gain in the long run. Good luck 🤞

I’ve worked full time and lone parented since my kid was about three/four, they are now 12.

it’s doable. I had good reliable childcare ( paid childcare). I have no family support - they all live two hours away, so I have used them for weekends sometimes. Her dad has her occasionally but he’s unreliable, and so I have often relied on friends to help. To be honest it’s only been the past year that I felt I have had more of a life but that’s just the price I pay for doing it alone.

it’s been a juggling act but I would always rather work and earn decent money, and I feel set up in my career as they move into high school.

If you are drowning in debt, I would take the promotion and go full time. Full timers get more paid sick leave and annual leave. At our work, the full timers definitely take their leave, whereas the part timers are less inclined to do so, especially if on a lower wage.

I’m a single mum to two with a full time busy job. I don’t have much time for myself though

I've just gone down to 4 days a week having worked ft for the past two years, my child is 6 and we have zero family support.

I found it doable but tough, I could juggle the job and the childcare but I've had no personal life and that has started to take its toll on my mental health. My main motivation for reducing my hours is not so much to spend more time with dd - she's doing well and loves her wraparound care! - but to take some time for myself and do things like exercise and just rest. But everyone is different and I know other lone parents who do it.

I only became a single parent when mine was 7 but my friend has been single parenting her DD since she was about 3 and she’s always worked FT. In the meantime she’s gotten a promotion and doing very well, but it’s important to get good childcare. She also isn’t local and has no family in the country.

Try and think of ways of making your life easier so you don't have so much to juggle. Eg have a cleaner, meal prep, look at ways that you can take your work holiday so you don't get burnt out. Maybe take a day/half a day off once a month etc etc.
Realistically you're have to mentally let some things go/except that the house may be a bit more untidy then normal.

Thank you everyone! I didn't expected to get so many responses 😅 I'm very lucky with my support network and have family that helps currently. My concern is how do you know when you're putting to much in them? I know my home will get neglected if I work all these extra hours, any tips on how to keep on top of house work? And dating as well, I've not dated at all for a couple of years, does anyone manage to fit any in? I'm waiting to hear back if I got the job so fingers crossed 🤞 my daughter starts school in September so hopefully it's a bit easier then.

@BrowneyedBaker I waited until mine was done with high school but to be honest now I think I waited far too long.

I think as long as you’re careful and responsible about it, you can fit dating into your life whenever you personally feel ready.