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Original poster

benefit changes??????????

225 replies

mummylou85 · 06/03/2009 23:09

Just wondering if anyone else is worried about changes in income support. I think by 2010 the age will be brought down to 7 if not found job benefits be stopped then if not found job it's job seekers? what do you all think of these changes. i'm happy towork but I have no family to look after my daughter? so in sept i'm goingback to finish my course in child care but what if I don't get job out of there. my daughter only 3 now but it's hard out there to get jobs these days especially to fit around children.

I know on job seekers you have to go on many courses, what if these are not child friendly but you have to go you get no money.

staying on benefits is not long term thing for me, I have worked payed taxes in past. but is anyone worried about future, in past didnt matter on what job i did and hours but now fitting it around my daughter. I really scared about job seekers are they child friendly. I stress about everything i'm sorry, but I think these changes take away your rights on how to parent I really think these changes in benefits wont work and i'm worried. i am stresser though x

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Flightattendant28 · 07/03/2009 13:46

I think until people have walked in the shoes of someone in this exact situation, ie a single mother on benefit - they shouldn't presume to know the answers or tell that person how easy it will be to cope.

Not going to get involved further.

AMAZINWOMAN · 07/03/2009 15:11

I work, and have done for years.

BUT there is NOO childcare for children here when they turn 12. With no family support, I have to leave my 12 year old alone for a full day.

Easter holidays are coming up and I am dreading leaving him. Although he is sensible, 12 is too young to be left alone all day.

I'm lucky to have a job though where there isn't any shifts.

But I just pray we are never ill...

FAQinglovely · 07/03/2009 15:39

Tiffany - by the time you HAVE to work (presuming they leave the age at 7yrs old) then you're older children one (as you stated earlier in the thread) will be 20, one will be 18 (so probably leaving/left school and one will be 16. A couple of hours a week after school isn't going to majorly affect any 16yr old GSCE studies - I don't know ANY GSCE students (even the geeky ones ) who spent ALL their time after school studying.

One of my friends (my best friend as it happens) has a big age gap between her oldest 3 and her youngest - and she pas the youngest of the older one to look after the younger one - who generally plays on their own anyhow. OK it's not anything close to minimum wage - but it suits her to watch TV/go on the internet/listen to her music instead of going out to work..........although that's soon going to change as her mum has just changed her working hours so the DD2 won't be "used" for any childcare - so if she wants money she's going to have to go and get a job.

GypsyMoth · 07/03/2009 15:51

The key word there in your friends situation is 'one'!! As my kids get older there are more altercations.....as (3)teenage siblings left home alone,with 2 younger kids, I won't be expecting the house to be still standing. And I can't expect teenage kids to look after themselves and younger siblings whilst I work nights and weekend, which as others have points out, you need to be prepared to work or face the consequences.

solo · 07/03/2009 15:54

FAQ, that's what I'm hoping...that I can have another few years off and then pay my Ds who'll be 14 by then to look after Dd who'll be 6. Well, that's the plan.

FAQinglovely · 07/03/2009 16:09

so find a job - anything - I know jobs are harder to come by now - but they are there and there are those that doesn't require qualifications. Do that so that it's only perhaps alternative weekends and after school that will need them looking after - then go into the area you are qualified in when the youngest are older.

It would be lovely if we could all wait for a job in our area of expertise/qualifications to come up, but sadly life doesn't work that way.

And yes that was "one" example - I could tell you others. Unfortunately for me my oldest will only be 13 when my youngest hits 7yrs old - so too young to "use" for childcare. however I do think it general people in this country have lost that sense of family support/responsbility (including siblings) that used to exist.

I remember quite a few of my friends whose houses I would visit after school to play with them when younger (primary school age) . A large number of them it was older siblings "supervising" us rather than the parent(s).

Of course I know that there are some people who circumstances mean they genuinely can't find a job - but I would bet my last £1 that if the government stopped IS/JSA tomorrow then a large number of those who say "but I can't find a job" would (obviously not all of them as there wouldn't be enough jobs to go around - but many who had said it was impossible would find a way)

JaneSeymour · 07/03/2009 16:24

FAQ you're coming across as quite right wing on this?

GypsyMoth · 07/03/2009 16:28

Yes,and I bet the amount of children having accidents through being left home alone would rocket too......great plan!

FAQinglovely · 07/03/2009 16:31

right wing - haha - it took all my will power to switch from Labour to Liberal in the last election !

CrackerNut · 07/03/2009 16:33

FAQ have you actually activly job hunted recently ?

FAQinglovely · 07/03/2009 16:41

yes I have but not for a few months after I decided to do my OU course first after my "perfect" job being of reach because of the knowledge required for it. There were other jobs I could have done but having a preschooler they wouldn't have been financably viable for me.

In a town full of night shift and split shift jobs (just as it always has been round here)

Also in the process of doing regular checks for DH (as he doesn't have regular internet access) and seen stuff I could do if I had to. I would work the childcare out somehow if it came to, needs must and all that.

GypsyMoth · 07/03/2009 16:42

What job and work hours do you do then FAQ?

RealityIsMyOnlyDelusion · 07/03/2009 16:43

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FAQinglovely · 07/03/2009 16:46

not currently working "per se" as I have a toddler, although am the church organist (and the only one)

Did skirt with the idea of applying for a home carers job that I saw advertised last week as I could state the hours I wanted to work. But decided against it as I'm still getting to grips with time manangement for my OU course, and would have brought home exactly the same as I'm getting now once I'd paid for childcare for DS3.

GypsyMoth · 07/03/2009 16:48

Omg......FAQ,you don't work?? You are coming across as all self righteous, and a little bit smug!! And yet you aren't even practising what you've been preaching here!!!

Ou degree?? You can still do those AND work

CrackerNut · 07/03/2009 16:48

Well I have been job hunting for over 2 yrs and in all that time have found suitable jobs very few and far between, and the ones that are suitable you never get an interview for.

I personally didn't have more than 1 child so that my eldest can look after the younger ones. I am ont saying that there is anything wrong with that but it isn't an option for us.

In my current circumstance, I have to be way too picky with hourse for any employer to be interested.
Once my mum retires in April 2010 then I can be alot less picky, but until then I will not put finding any job before the needs of my children.

FAQinglovely · 07/03/2009 16:49

I know there's no jobs in school hours - I'm not that stupid/blind. That's why if I HAD to work from tomorrow I'd have to sort out childcare arrangements. Not being simplistic at all, being realistic, when the shit hits the fan most people find a way around the problems - even ones that seemed impossible to overcome when they were looking at it with no urgency.

CrackerNut · 07/03/2009 16:49

Hours even

CrackerNut · 07/03/2009 16:51

Tha majority of jobs demand you work either an early or late shift.

Round here before school clubs don't start until 8am, and finnish at 6 so they are not a fat lot of help.

Childminder is an option but it is rare to find one with 3 vacancies and within the area I live or would work.

I am hoping that once I pass my driving test this will help with finding a job and childcare as I will be able to consider options that are further afield.

RealityIsMyOnlyDelusion · 07/03/2009 16:53

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Message withdrawn

FAQinglovely · 07/03/2009 16:54

as I said I'm in the same position as you - I have a pre-schooler so not "expected" to work Once my DS3 is at nursery then yes I'll be applying for some of those minimum wage jobs that involve sorting childcare out. My church organist duties take up a lot of time at weekends and evenings (and during the day at the moment as well)

Once DS3 is at school I will definitely be practicing what I preach regardless of what cr*p job I end up with

I've only just started the OU course - and as you'll know yourself that when it's your first time of studying since leaving school time manament is the biggest issue - I'm 4 weeks into it and just about starting to fit everything in. I'm sure by the time I've finished this course I'll look back and wonder why I ever struggled with fitting it in in the first place

FAQinglovely · 07/03/2009 16:56

Exactly when they're 7 - so if you've got a pre-schooler now (as I do) I have 5yrs to work out how I'll manage childcare options.

I don't expect to get a school hours job! If DS3 will probably have left school before I worked.

JaneSeymour · 07/03/2009 16:57

Totally confused now by what your point is FAQ.

FAQinglovely · 07/03/2009 17:00

my point is that being expected to find work when you're youngest child is 7yrs old is perfectly reasonable.

HelpwithNameNeeded · 07/03/2009 17:02

FAQ you are talking out of your bottom IMO. Some of your statements have been ridiculous to say the least